THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | JULE 13, 2023

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Brooklyn Man Charged in Senseless, Savage Shooting Spree

By Michael V. Cusenza

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Monday that Thomas Abreu has been charged with murder, attempted murder, assault and weapon possession in a Saturday morning shooting spree that killed an 86-year-old man and injured three others in Queens and Brooklyn.

Abreu, 25, of Brooklyn, is awaiting arraignment on a complaint charging him with murder in the second degree, four counts of attempted murder in the second degree, two counts of assault in the first degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.

According to the timeline of alleged events and the charges:

• On June 8, at approximately 11:10 a.m., Abreu was observed on video surveillance on Ashford Street and Arlington Avenue in Brooklyn driving a scooter and wearing a green shirt. He shot a pedestrian in the back.

• Approximately 16 minutes later, on 108th Street and Jamaica Avenue in Richmond Hill, Abreu was again observed by video surveillance, and by an eyewitness, wearing a green shirt as well as a fanny pack on his shoulder. He approached 86-year-old Hamod Saeidi and shot him in the back. Saeidi was rushed to the hospital where he later died.

• Approximately one minute later, at the same location, Abreu fired at a pedestrian walking on the sidewalk. The shooting was again observed on video surveillance and by an eyewitness. The pedestrian was not injured.

• Moments later, video surveillance captured Abreu on 126th Street and Hillside Avenue. He pulled up next to a parked minivan and shot the driver once

in the head. The victim was taken to the hospital.

• Abreu was also seen on video surveillance at approximately 11:36 a.m. at the intersection of 131st Street and Jamaica Avenue, in the same green shirt. He rode past someone else on a scooter and fired at him. The person was not injured.

• Approximately one minute later, Abreu was observed on video surveillance on 134th Street and Jamaica Avenue. He approached a pedestrian who was crossing the street and shot the victim in the shoulder. The victim was also taken to the hospital.

• Abreu was arrested at approximately 1 p.m. after NYPD officers saw him at Sutphin Boulevard and Archer Avenue riding his scooter wearing a green shirt

and fanny pack. He was apprehended after a short foot pursuit.

• Police recovered a pistol.

On Tuesday evening, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. organized a vigil on “Another day, another example of an everyday activity becoming a life-and-death endeavor in America. This time, it was a beloved senior right here in Richmond Hill who was killed for having the audacity to take a simple Saturday stroll through the community he called home for decades,” said Borough President RICHARDS. “Queens’ collective heart breaks for Mr. Saeidi’s family and friends, and we’re pray that our three neighbors wounded in this shooting spree make full physical, mental and emotional recoveries. Join us tonight as we uplift Richmond

Hill and all those impacted by Saturday’s events.

“We’ve made significant progress as a city in reducing shooting incidents, addressing our mental health crisis and draining the tributaries that feed the river of gun violence our society has been swimming through,” added Borough President RICHARDS. “But Saturday’s shootings show us there is so much more to be done. Tonight, we come together to mourn, but also to recommit ourselves to the work ahead.”

After wounding a 21-year-old in Brooklyn minutes earlier, the alleged gunman riding an illegal scooter shot and killed Saeidi as he walked down Jamaica Avenue, callously ending the life of a cherished member of the Richmond Hill community. The suspect, who has since been charged with murder among other crimes, would go on to shoot a 44-yearold man in the head on Hillside Avenue and a 63-year-old man in the shoulder on Jamaica Avenue, seriously wounding both, before being apprehended, Richards noted.

“I applaud the 102nd Precinct, the NYPD and everyone involved in the swift apprehension of a shooter who shot five people in Brooklyn and Queens today,” City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) said on Saturday. “Our prayers are with the families of the victims.”

“The streets of two boroughs were turned into scenes of terror as this defendant allegedly rode his scooter, shooting indiscriminately at pedestrians and others. Thank you to the NYPD for quickly apprehending the suspect. My office will hold him fully accountable and seek justice for the victims,” Katz said.

If convicted, Abreu faces 25 years to life in prison.

Photo Courtesy of Google

Video surveillance captured Abreu on 126th Street and Hillside Avenue as he pulled up next to a parked minivan and shot the driver once in the head.

Photo Courtesy of Google

Abreu was arrested at approximately 1 p.m. on Saturday after NYPD officers saw him at Sutphin Boulevard and Archer Avenue riding his scooter wearing a green shirt and fanny pack. He was apprehended after a short foot pursuit.

Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Ariola

Elected officials, including Councilwoman Joann Ariola, at a press conference Saturday with NYPD brass.

Meng Urges USPS to Prioritize Queens’ Mail Theft Problem

By Forum Staff

Congresswoman Grace Meng (DFlushing) announced on Monday that she recently sent a letter to Louis DeJoy, Postmaster General and CEO of the United States Postal Service (USPS), urging the agency to prioritize Queens in its newly announced effort to combat mail theft, and further secure green relay boxes throughout the borough.

The Postal Service’s new Joint Project Safe Delivery is an initiative unveiled in May that features expanded crime prevention measures to crack down on the theft of mail. It includes replacing tens of thousands of keys used by letter carriers, installing high security collection boxes and implementing other important upgrades. The plan also seeks to enhance employee safety and strengthen consumer protections. It was announced after Meng called for more to be done to address mail theft.

“My constituents deserve peace of mind that their correspondence, money, important information and documents will be safe while it moves through our mail system,” said Meng. “I have led efforts to make sure that mail is protected, and I hope that my letter to the Postmaster General will help ensure that Queens will benefit from this latest initiative, especially when it comes to green relay boxes. Like many places around the country, Queens has struggled with mail theft, and our borough should be prioritized.

Over the past year, Meng has asked the Postal Service to address mail theft after receiving complaints from constituents. These include thieves stealing and altering their checks for thousands of dollars and stealing their personal information that has resulted in financial fraud.

The congresswoman sent letters to postal officials in July and December of 2022.

She also introduced legislation earlier this year to strengthen the Postal Service’s ability to go after criminal organizations driving the theft of mail.

In her missive to DeJoy, Meng wrote, “According to the USPS, the Joint Project Safe Delivery initiative will reduce mail theft and letter carrier robberies through updated electronic locks, a plan to reduce counterfeit postage, and increased security for blue collection boxes. I commend the USPS and the USPIS for these initial steps in improving mail security, however, the plan does not specify if these security upgrades would be made available for green relay boxes.

“As you know, the USPS utilizes green relay boxes, unique to densely populated urban areas, to help postal carriers manage the distribution of letters. These relay boxes are essential to the delivery of mail in my district, yet they remain susceptible to theft. In 2022, there were over 1,000 instances of mail theft reported to the USPS by my constituents, totaling nearly half a million in lost mail with none of it recovered. These losses are devastating for the Queens community, not only is money and other valuables lost, but identities are stolen and important medications are never received.

“In light of this, as the USPS continues to increase efforts to crack down on mail theft, I encourage you to prioritize communities in Queens and the inclusion of secure green relay boxes in your response initiative. I also urge the USPS to continue to update the public on the steps included in the Joint Project Safe Delivery and provide more detailed updates on its progress to combat mail theft. I thank the USPS for escalating steps to combat mail theft in the country, but I assure you, more needs to be done to restore my constituent’s trust in the postal system. “

File Photo

“Queens has become victim to incessant mail theft in the past three years,” Rep. Meng also wrote to Postmaster General DeJoy.

City Places Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers in Queens, Brooklyn

By Forum Staff

Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday announced the placement of two new Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers as the number of asylum seekers currently in the City’s care surpasses 52,000.

The Crowne Plaza JFK Airport New York in Jamaica on Tuesday transitioned from an emergency respite center to a humanitarian relief center to serve more than 330 families with children seeking asylum. In the coming weeks, another emergency respite site already open, located at 47 Hall Street in Brooklyn, will add an area that will serve as a humanitarian relief center to support approximately 1,400 adults in addition to the hundreds served at the respite site that will remain open, depending on operational needs. Both humanitarian relief centers will provide a range of services, in addition to ensuring asylum seekers can reach their desired destination, if not New York City, Adams noted.

“New York City continues to receive thousands of asylum seekers each week, and we continue to do everything in our power to respond accordingly, but we are still in dire need of assistance from our state and federal partners,” said Adams. “The transi-

tion of these two emergency respite sites to humanitarian relief centers will provide, when combined, thousands of individuals with a range of services and help them

reach their final destinations.

New York City is doing more than any other city or state to respond to this crisis, but we need others to step up and do their part as well.”

According to the administration, since this humanitarian crisis began, the city has opened approximately 180 emergency shelters, including 12 other large-scale humanitarian relief centers already; standing up navigation centers to connect asylum seekers with critical resources; enrolling thousands of children in public schools through Project Open Arms; launching the Asylum Application

Help Center to help migrants with their asylum applications; and more.

“These two new sites will enable us to serve hundreds of families with children as well as adults as they settle in New York City or move to their final destination,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “As we continue to respond to this humanitarian crisis, we again call on the federal government to advance work authorizations for people seeking asylum and for the federal government to lead this humanitarian crisis with a national coordination strategy.”

“These two new humanitarian relief centers will provide critical resources for asylum seekers transitioning into their new lives,” added New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. “As we continue to respond to this humanitarian crisis, we will work diligently to identify locations to provide shelter and access to various services for asylum seekers who arrive to New York City each day.”

Earlier this spring, the City released “The Road Forward: A Blueprint to Address New York City’s Response to the Asylum Seeker Crisis,” detailing how the City will continue to manage the influx of asylum seekers and advocate for support from federal and state partners.

Photo Courtesy of The Crowne Plaza JFK Airport New York The Crowne Plaza JFK Airport New York in Jamaica on Tuesday transitioned from an emergency respite center to a humanitarian relief center to serve more than 330 families with children seeking asylum.

Lindenwood Gearing up for Paper-Shredding Event

By Forum Staff

State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Woodhaven), Sen. Roxanne Persaud (D-Brooklyn) and Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach) are bringing a free paper shredding event to Lindenwood later this month.

On Sunday, July 30, staff from the City Department of Sanitation will be at the Queens County Savings Bank parking lot, located at 82-10 153rd Ave. in Lindenwood, Howard Beach between noon and 2 p.m., shredding paper and documents, all while allowing attendees to watch the process.

“With the great success of my previous shredding and recycling events, I wanted to give constituents another chance to come and have their personal documents shredded safely and securely,” Addabbo said. “It is important to know that your documents, or your clients' documents, with sensitive per-

sonal information like social security numbers and account numbers have been properly shredded and recycled.”

Items that cannot be shredded during this event include any cardboard, newspapers, file folders, and metals or plastics. There will be a (3) copy box limit on how much can be shredded per person to ensure that all participants have the opportunity to shred their materials.

“There is nothing greater than assisting the community with disposal of documents safely and securely. These measures to prevent fraud and identity theft are imperative to protect personal identifiable information. It aids the environment by reducing the volume of paper waste and promotes paper recycling. A paper-shredding event is paramount and benefits everyone,” Persaud added.

For more information about this event, contact Addabbo’s district office at (718) 738-1111.

PROTECTING YOUR SKIN: THE SCOOP ON SUN BLOCK

Summer is here and thoughts of relaxation, fun, sand and of course time spent in the sun are all on our minds. But guarding against the harmful effects of the sun is crucial.

Most experts seem to agree that pretty much everyone, should use a daily sunscreen of minimum 15 SPF. It's important that even those with minimal exposure protect their skin in order to avoid the harmful, sometimes deadly effects of the sun.

It takes a mere 20 minutes for skin to turn red with no protection. While application of sunscreen is advised for almost everyone, it is generally agreed that babies under 6 months should be protected with clothing as opposed to sunscreen.

The huge amount of product available on the open market can be confusing to the consumer, and a good place to start finding out what the right protection level is for your use is with your local pharmacist.

There are some common myths about sunscreen floating around out there and this week we'd like to point them out to you.

#1. I'm not in the sun that much and I don't need it--WRONG--IT'S NOT JUST FOR SUN WORSHIPPERS-it's for anyone with even minimal exposure.

#2. The small amount in foundation make-up will likely not be enough to offer adequate protection.

#3. All sunscreens are created equal... NOT. You should look for a sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher that provides broad-spectrum coverage against both UVA and UVB light.

#4. A little sunscreen will get me through the day. The general principle is to reapply every two to four hours.

#5. If I put it on my face, arms, leg, back, and neck -- I'm set. Nope--you'd have missed some key areas like your ears and the back of your neck.

#6. Last year's bottle is still OK?–this is not the place to economize, if you still have it leftover, odds are you're not applying it correctly. Check the expiration date on your sunscreen bottle!

Remember to check with your pharmacist about what is good for toddlers and infants if you plan on including them at your day of fun at the beach or poolside.

For your family’s prescription needs, please call CROSS BAY CHEMIST at 718-659-9500 or 718-880-1644

Cameras Catching Illegal Dumpers in the Act: DSNY

In the last 10 weeks alone, the City Sanitation Department has installed 122 cameras across the five boroughs to catch illegal dumpers in the act.

The new recording equipment has paid immediate—and lucrative—dividends,

according to the agency:

• Impounds are up 282 percent yearto-date.

• Those frightening $4,000 summonses are up 318 percent.

Lesson: Don’t dump on NY.

Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph

Photo Courtesy of Google

On Sunday, July 30, staff from the City Department of Sanitation will be at the Lindenwood branch of the Queens County Savings Bank between noon and 2 p.m., shredding paper and documents.

File Photo

“It is important to know that your documents, or your clients’ documents, with sensitive personal information like Social Security numbers and account numbers have been properly shredded and recycled,” Sen. Addabbo said.

Motorist Charged with Drunk Driving in Collision that Killed City Worker in Richmond Hill

By Forum Staff

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Friday that Errick Persaud has been arraigned on charges of manslaughter and driving while under the influence after allegedly slamming his Mercedes-Benz into a City Department of Environmental Protection truck in Richmond Hill last Thursday, killing a 36-yearold worker sitting inside.

Persaud, 24, of Richmond Hill, was

arraigned Thursday night on a complaint charging him with manslaughter in the second degree, assault in the second degree, vehicular manslaughter in the second degree, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

According to the charges:

• On July 6, at approximately 2:30 a.m., video surveillance footage showed Persaud driving a black Mercedes-Benz at high

speed through a steady red light at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard.

• Persaud hit the DEP truck near the intersection. The impact of the collision toppled the truck, ejecting 36-year-old Michael Rodriguez from the passenger seat. The 40-year-old driver of the truck sustained minor injuries.

• Rodriguez was taken to a local hospital with severe head and body trauma and died due to his injuries.

• After the accident, a breathalyzer was administered to Persaud that indicated he had a blood alcohol content of .134 percent, which was above the legal threshold of .08 percent.

“Drunk driving is never acceptable and this defendant’s alleged selfish actions have led to tragic consequences for a city worker who was doing his job. We will seek justice for this victim and his loved ones,” Katz said. If convicted, Persaud faces up to 15 years in prison.

Richmond Hill Man Sentenced to 22 Years to Life for Murdering 92-Year-Old Woman

By Forum Staff

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Reeaz Khan was sentenced to prison on Thursday for the murder and attempted rape of a 92-year-old woman he brutally attacked and left to die near her Richmond Hill home on a frigid night in 2020.

An autopsy determined the victim died from blunt force trauma and hypothermia.

Khan, 24, of 134th Street in Richmond Hill, pleaded guilty last month to murder in the second degree and attempted rape in the first degree. Queens Supreme Court Justice Kenneth C. Holder on Thursday sentenced Khan to 22 years to life on the murder charge and eight years in prison on the attempted rape charge. These sentences are to run concurrently.

According to the charges:

• Khan was seen on video surveillance footage approaching Maria Fuertes, 92, from behind as she walked along 127th Avenue on Jan. 6, 2020, at approximately 12:01 a.m. Video shows them both dropping to the ground.

• Approximately five minutes later, Khan is seen on the video footage with his

pants undone and running off.

• At approximately 2:14 a.m., Fuertes was found by a passerby who called 911. The victim, whose dress was lifted to her chest, was barely conscious and incoherent when she was taken to a local hospital, where she later died. Doctors found that Fuertes had sustained two fractures to her spine, two rib fractures, bruising to her

neck and chest and other injuries.

• An autopsy determined Fuertes died from blunt force trauma and hypothermia.

“We have succeeded in getting a dangerous predator off our streets for his horrific assault of a defenseless elderly woman. I hope that the long prison term provides at least some measure of solace to the victim’s loved ones,” Katz said.

Photo Courtesy of Google

Persaud blasted the DEP truck near the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard. The impact of the collision toppled the truck, ejecting 36-year-old Michael Rodriguez from the passenger seat. He was rushed to a local hospital with severe head and body trauma and died due to his injuries.

File Photo

After the accident, a Breathalyzer was administered to Persaud that indicated he had a blood alcohol content of .134 percent, which was above the legal threshold of .08 percent.

Reeaz Khan

Photo Courtesy of DA Katz

“We have succeeded in getting a dangerous predator off our streets for his horrific assault of a defenseless elderly woman,” DA Katz said.

Op-Ed: Passing Bills that Support You, Your Families and Our State

By Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato

The 2023 New York State Legislative Session has come to a close. This year the Legislature passed a wide array of bills on nearly every topic.

Some of the legislation I worked on dealt with our current governmental employees. Our governmental employees deserve to be protected in every way – and I passed legislation that does that. For example:

A4018-establishes a 20 year retirement plan for certain law enforcement

A4008-ensures that any court officer or peace offered injured from a physical assault during the course of their duties shall be eligible for disability benefits

A6539-provides child care leave-credit for all NYC Sanitation and Correction workers

A7414-guarantees health insurance for the spouses (or domestic partners) of fallen FDNY members

A5208-expands death benefits or accidental disability benefits for correction employees and sheriffs for heart disease

A7669-updates certain death benefit provisions of the New York city employees’ retirement system (NYCERS), the New York city teachers’ retirement system (TRS), and the board of education retire-

ment system of New York City (BERS)

A7155- creates the crediting of probationary service when a person appointed provisionally receives a permanent appointment to the same title.

A7156- implements the automatic enrollment of employees of the city of New

York eligible to join the New York City board of education retirement system (BERS)

While protecting current employees, I believe a job with the State or City is a rewarding career. To help expand those opportunities and give residents of our State the chance to work for the greatest State, I introduced and passed legislation that:

A7379- Eliminates the “wartime service” requirement to expand the number of qualified veterans eligible for certain civil service positions

A6855- Requires civil service examination announcements to be issued to the local board of cooperative educational services (BOCES), all high schools, colleges, universities, local social services districts, and job training programs in New York Of course, I also passed a few bills that were inspired from conversations I had

with many of you. I have always believed that the best legislation comes from the community. Those bills included:

A2825-expand and ensure protections for Jamaica Bay with regards to dumping and the filling of borrow pits

A3029-establish an adult Cystic Fibrosis Assistance Program

A4987-require new parents to watch a short video in the hospital on the dangers drowning as drowning is the number one cause of death in children under 4 years old

If you’re interested in seeing the full list of the 40 bills that I passed, please visit my official Assembly webpage assembly.state. ny.us/mem/Stacey-Pheffer-Amato. But now that the 2023 Legislative Session has ended it is good to be home and working directly with all of you to solve any problems. While I might be in Albany for six months, my heart is always in my community. As always, do not hesitate to contact my office by phone at 718-945-9550 or by email at amatos@nyassembly.gov. It is a pleasure to serve you and I look forward to representing you for many more years to come.

Pheffer Amato represents the 23rd Assembly District.

*Edited for space.*

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Borough President Touts Nearly $17M in Funding for Queens Parks, Libraries

By Forum Staff

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. Wednesday announced capital allocations of $10 million for Queens parks and more than $6.9 million for the Queens Public Library system.

Richards’ allocation of $10 million for parks in Fiscal Year 2023 will fund upgrades at 11 different parks or playgrounds across Queens, as well as supporting improvements at the Project Eden community garden in Forest Hills under the auspices of NYC Parks’ GreenThumb program — the largest community gardening network in the nation.

Also included in the allocation is the Borough President’s previously announced $100,000 tree crowdsourcing campaign, which resulted in the planting of approximately 30 trees in Community Districts 3, 9 and 12.

Of the 11 different parks being funded, six received seven-figure allocations from the Borough President. These projects include:

• $1.5 million for synthetic turf field renovations at Idlewild Park in Rosedale.

• $1.5 million for playground renovations at Lawrence Virgilio Playground in

Sunnyside.

• $1 million for playground renovations at Equity Park in Woodhaven.

• $1 million for playground renovations at Frank O’Connor Playground in Elmhurst.

• $1 million for athletic field renovations at Leonardo Ingravallo Playground in Flushing

• $1 million for playground renovations at St. Michael’s Playground in Woodside.

Meanwhile, Richards’ allocation of more than $6.9 million for libraries in FY23 will fund upgrades at 12 Queens Public Library branches. Included in the allocation is $1 million in FY23 funding to expand the Rosedale library and nearly $900,000 in FY23 funding to expand the Arverne library — both of which the Borough President announced last year during his inaugural Borough Hall on Your Block initiative in Southeast Queens.

Other highlights from Borough President Richards’ commitment to improving our libraries include:

• $1 million for renovations to the South Ozone Park branch.

• $1 million for an expansion of the Corona branch.

• $750,000 for renovations to the

Richmond Hill branch

• $500,000 each for the renovations of the Baisley Park and Hollis branches.

• $500,000 for upgrades to the HVAC system at the Astoria branch.

• $366,000 for renovations to the Laurelton branch.

Over the course of his administration, Borough President Richards has allocated more than $127 million in capital funding across Queens, including more than $22 million for schools, nearly $20 million for cultural organizations, nearly $19 million for healthcare facilities, more than $16 million for both parks and libraries, $10 million for Queens’ CUNY colleges, $9 million for community spaces and nearly $6 million for streetscape and street safety improvements.

“It was a historic year for Queens, as we made unprecedented investments in ensuring our students receive the best education possible, our families have high-quality open space in their communities, our hospitals have state-of-the-art equipment and more,” Richards said. “Queens is the future

of New York City, and I’m deeply proud of the work we are doing together as one borough to make that future as bright as possible. We’re just getting started, though, and I look forward to that work continuing in Fiscal Year 2024 and beyond.”

Announcements about Borough President Richards’ FY24 allocations will be made in the coming weeks, his office said.

Adams Announces Historic Progress Moving New Yorkers from Shelter to Permanent Housing

By Forum Staff

Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Social Services (DSS)

Commissioner Molly Wasow Park on Tuesday provided an update on the city’s record progress connecting New Yorkers living in city shelters to permanent housing. The update follows Adams’ signing of an emergency order eliminating the longstanding 90-day length-of-stay requirement for New Yorkers in shelter to be eligible for City Fighting Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement (CityFHEPS) housing vouchers — the largest city-funded rental assistance program in the nation. Following the removal of the 90-day rule, over 500 households that would have otherwise been required to wait 90 days before becoming eligible for a housing voucher immediately became eligible for CityFHEPS, bringing them one step closer to finding permanent housing.

“Eliminating the 90-day rule has increased access to CityFHEPS vouchers,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “This, along with all the other efforts to create efficiencies in helping individuals and families move more quickly from shelter to stable housing, has shown promise with a record number of New Yorkers connected to CityFHEPS this past year. The admin -

istration will continue to explore every avenue to support individuals and families find a permanent home.”

Mayor Adams also on Tuesday announced progress made over the past year to move New Yorkers from shelter to permanent housing. Technology, staffing, process, and training improvements made at DSS have led to an approximately 17-percent increase in shelter exits to permanent housing during Fiscal Year 2023

(FY23), compared with Fiscal Year 2022 — a total of nearly 15,000 households in FY23. Additionally, more New Yorkers were connected to permanent housing using a CityFHEPS voucher during FY23 than in any year in the program’s history.

With more asylum seekers in the city’s care now than longtime unhoused New Yorkers, New York City continues to manage the unprecedented asylum seeker crisis largely on its own, and the Adams

administration continues to build on progress to quickly move New Yorkers out of shelter and into permanent housing.

With a vacancy rate for affordable housing ranging between 1 and 5 percent, many New Yorkers have a difficult time finding an apartment. To address this issue, the Adams administration has focused on accelerating production of new housing and advancing development projects in neighborhoods around the five boroughs. Mayor Adams has also continued calls on the state to take action on a new affordable housing incentive program — easing conversion of vacant offices to housing and eliminating the cap on housing in Midtown Manhattan.

“In the last fiscal year, a record number of New Yorkers were able to utilize a CityFHEPS voucher to obtain affordable permanent housing. Since eliminating the 90-day rule, hundreds of additional households in shelter, who would have previously had to wait 90 days, have become eligible for CityFHEPS,” said DSS Commissioner Park. “We are moving more New Yorkers out of shelter and into safe, stable permanent housing because of the concerted efforts of this administration, and we remain laser-focused on building on these successes as we continue to focus our efforts on serving our most vulnerable neighbors.”

Photo Courtesy of Donovan Richards Jr. “Queens is the future of New York City, and I’m deeply proud of the work we are doing together as one borough…” BP Richards Jr. said.

Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

“The administration will continue to explore every avenue to support individuals and families find a permanent home,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom.

City Announces Lawsuit against Companies Illegally Selling Disposable Flavored E-Cigarettes

By Forum Staff

Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Corporation Counsel Sylvia O. HindsRadix on Monday announced that the City is filing a federal lawsuit against four major distributors of flavored disposable ecigarettes, the most popular vaping devices among middle-school children and high school youth. The four defendants — Magellan Technology Inc. and Demand Vape, both based in Buffalo, NY; Mahant Krupa 56 LLC d/b/a Empire Vape Distributors, based in Queens; and Star Vape, based in Brooklyn — are alleged to have distributed, and continue to distribute, exotically flavored disposable e-cigarettes to retail vape and smoke shops, convenience stores, and directly to consumers in NYC through online sales, in violation of nearly every applicable federal, New York State, and New York City law governing the sale of such products. Monday’s lawsuit seeks to block the four defendants from further sales of these illegal items and seeks both monetary damages and fines.

Most e-liquids provide nicotine levels far exceeding that of conventional cigarettes — some have as much nicotine as 175 to 350 cigarettes. Additionally, federal health authorities, such as the U.S. surgeon general and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, say youth-friendly flavors

in e-cigarettes, such as “strawberry milkshake,” “cola,” and “pina colada” are among the flavors that tempt kids to “vape” high levels of nicotine. Child-friendly, cartoon character packaging on e-cigarettes targeted at young people has also contributed to the epidemic of nicotine addiction among middle and high school youth.

Between 2017 and 2019, e-cigarette use among young people nearly doubled. In October 2022, the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

released federal data from the 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey finding that one in 10 U.S. middle and high school students had used e-cigarettes in a 30-day sample period. Specifically, 14.1 percent (2.14 million) of high school students and 3.3 percent (380,000) of middle school students reported current e-cigarette use. Flavored e-liquids were used by 81 percent of first-time users, aged 12 to 17, who had ever used electronic nicotine delivery devices, and 85.3 percent of current youth

users had used a flavored e-liquid in the past month.

Consistent with the national trend, ecigarette consumption in New York City schools has climbed in recent years. The 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey revealed that 15.2 percent of public high school students and 6.7 percent of public middle school students surveyed reported current use of electronic vapor products.

All this led the FDA, in January 2020, to ban flavored vape products. Flavor bans have also been enacted in New York state and New York City, as well as in many other cities and states nationwide. Additionally, the federal Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act prohibits anything other than face-toface sales of disposable e-cigarettes unless the sales comply with all state and local laws of the jurisdiction in which the sale occurs. This is an impossibility in New York City and in New York state where the New York Public Health Code and the New York City Administrative Code prohibit the sale of flavored disposable e-cigarettes altogether.

“Holding manufacturers accountable for enabling, promoting, and selling these products that threaten our children and communities is a necessary step to combating the problem. Selling these products are illegal, and we will continue to remove them from our communities,” said City Sheriff Anthony Miranda.

Adams Signs Legislation Bringing Financial Literacy to City Youth Programs

By Forum Staff

Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday signed Intro. 54-A into law, amending the City’s administrative code to allow financial empowerment education in Department of Youth and Community Development programs.

“Ensuring that our young people are ready for what comes after high school is a top priority for this administration,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana Almanzar. “Providing New York City youth with access to financial literacy helps get them on the pathway to a bright future and prepares them for the 21st-century economy. Intro. 54-A will help equip our young people with the financial skills they need today, so they can build their tomorrow.”

“When I was a teen in the Summer Youth Employment Program, financial literacy was not part of the initiative — my mother had to teach me about budgeting and saving money before I spent all my hard-earned cash on sneakers,” added Department of Youth and Community Development Commissioner Keith Howard. “It was a forward-thinking Mayor Adams who insisted that financial literacy be a core component of SYEP, and our youth advo -

cates worked with the administration to include it in our runaway and homeless youth programs. DYCD thanks the City Council for partnering with the administration to help prioritize our young people and support them on a path to a sound financial future.”

Intro. 54-A amends the administrative code of the City of New York to include financial empowerment education in DYCD programs. It codifies their financial literacy program in the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) and Runaway and Homeless Youth programs. The financial empowerment education includes instruction on personal finances, including banking, budgeting, credit, debt, saving, and taxes.

“Financial literacy is a foundational skill for our young people, but far too many of our kids are being left behind,” said Adams. “As a young man, I never had information on how to save or how to be financially responsible. By signing this bill into law, we are helping our youth learn the skills they need to succeed financially. We want to help our children understand the power of investing and the power of saving to put them on the road to financial independence.”

The bill also expands financial empowerment education to include investment as a topic and has an annual reporting requirement of the number of participants and a description of the relevant empowerment education curriculum.

“I am proud that my financial literacy education bill, Intro. 54, for the Department of Youth and Community Development, is being signed by Mayor Adams today,” said City Councilwoman Farah Louis (D-Brooklyn). “The City is overdue in focusing on the financial toolkits our youth can utilize to be fiscally responsible and productive citizens, such as understanding personal banking, credit, and savings. This bill shows our commitment to end intergenerational poverty to build

a more inclusive economy — providing real economic opportunities for all. This bill creates the structure for providers to offer courses and programs that provide the skill-building our youth need for economic stability and success, and will ensure that we are requiring intentionality, collaboration, and dedication to supporting youth in crisis from all of our agencies and partners to expand and elevate their futures.”

Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

City Sheriff Anthony Miranda

Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office “This bill shows our commitment to end intergenerational poverty to build a more inclusive economy — providing real economic opportunities for all,” Councilwoman Louis said.

Notice of Formation of COZY CABIN RENTALS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 5/31/23. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: MICHAEL LIPARI, 18923 39TH AVE. APT 120, FLUSHING, NY, 11358, USA. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of ACELAND VAULT LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/24/23. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: GASTON ACEVEDO, 6740 164TH ST, APT 5L, FRESH MEADOWS, NY, 11365, USA. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of NEW FARRINGTON GARAGE LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 6/01/23. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: NEW FARRINGTON GARAGE LLC, 3366FARRINGTON STREET, SUITE 200, FLUSHING, NY, 11354, USA. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of LIAISON BOOKKEEPING SERVICE LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 5/25/23. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: ICI SHEED, 48-18 VERNON BLVD, LONG ISLAND CITY, 11101, USA. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of CARSTEN LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 5/12/23. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: CHRISTOPHER LEJUEZ FRANKEN, 17505 115TH AVENUE, QUEENS, NY, 11434, USA. Purpose: any lawful activity.

MONEY MEAL CAPITAL Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/07/23. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: YU-HUA CHEN, 7363 BELL BLVD, APT 2K, OAKLAND GARDENS, NY, 11364, USA Purpose: any lawful activities.

Notice Of Formation of MTNS Brokerage LLC. Arts. of Org. filed w/SS of NY on 6/9/23, Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail a copy of process to principal business address: 3043 47 St., Ste 3, Astoria, NY 11103. Purpose: For any lawful act.

Notice Of Formation of SAKURA 6611 LLC Arts. of Org. filed w/SS of NY on 4/11/23, Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail a copy of process to principal business address: THE LLC, 140-03 58TH RD, FLUSHING, NY, 11355, USA. Purpose: For any lawful act.

OMNEEL, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/27/23. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The Company, 3 Dakota Dr., Ste. 300, Lake Success, NY 11042, C/O Abrams Fensterman, LLP. Purpose: any lawful activities.

Notice of formation of PINK BOULEVARD 2 LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 6/12/2023. Office located in QUEENS. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC 4321 247TH ST, LITTLE NECK, NY 11363. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

DING DONG REALTY LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/12/23. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 35-20 30th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11103. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

MYLA GROUP LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/23/2023. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 27-17 154th St, Flushing, NY 11354. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

YRA CLEANING SERVICES LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/20/2023. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: YERSY RODRIGUEZ ALVAREZ, 19816 47TH AVE, APT 2, FLUSHING, NY,11358, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

131-22 111TH AVENUE LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/22/23. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, c/o Shameer Khan, 111-12 132nd Street, South Ozone Park, NY 11420.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

H&B LEARNING LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 6/28/20223. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: THE LLC, 433 BEACH 127TH ST., ROCKAWAY PARK, NY, 11694, USA.

Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose

PATHFINDERS ADVISORS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 7/06/20223. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: CARLOS G BALBIN, 3036 34TH STREET APT. 3F, ASTORIA, NY, 11103, USA.Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Radio Korea NY, LLC filed w/ SSNY on 3/20/23. Office: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: Young Kwon, 136-56 39th Ave., #400, Flushing, NY 11354. Purpose: any lawful.

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