THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | JULY 28, 2022

VOL. 21 • NUMBER 28 • JULY 28, 2022

BUS-TED Caps Catch Two Teen Girls

Allegedly Responsible for Heinous Hate Crime Attack on Q52 in Woodhaven

See story on page 2

Acting on a tip, detectives on Tuesday arrested the girls, 15 and 16, for the ferocious July 9 attack that left a 57-year-old grandmother beaten and bloodied. They have been charged with hate crimes. As of Wednesday morning, a third suspect was still being sought.

Photo Courtesy of NYPD

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 28 • JULY 28, 2022 | 1

Double Trouble: Two Teen Girls Charged with Hate Crimes in Woodhaven Bus Attack Prior to the odious assault, LeCroix , who is W hite, said the Black girls attempted to incite a confrontation.

“Before they hit me, the girl with the green hair said, ‘You probably like Trump! Don’t you?’” LeCroix recalled to the New York Post. “I said, ‘I love him.’ I didn’t see which one hit me first. The one with the green hair, she was saying she hates white people, the way they talk, hates white skin, the way their skin cracks; saying she was gangsta.”

That’s when LeCroix was beaten so bad she required staples in her head.

This week, the two girls, 15 and 16, were charged with assault and aggravated harassment—both hate crimes—for their roles in the Saturday, July 9, drub- Victim Jill LeCroix talking to Councilman Bob Holden (D-Maspeth). bing.

“Got ‘em! We pledged that we would Photo Courtesy of NYPD bring these attackers to justice. Today, they Two of the three allegedly attackers have been arrested are facing charges for their crime,” City and charged with hate crimes.

Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) said. “No New Yorker should ever

By Michael V. Cusenza worry about being attacked on the bus or the subway—especially for their race. Hate Cops. Community. Cuffs. has no home here.”

Now that’s Neighborhood Policing.

One of the girls allegedly involved in Acting on a lead gifted by a tipster, City Police Department Hate Crimes the attack is still being sought by investiTask Force detectives on Tuesday arrested gators. two teenage girls who allegedly attacked 57-year-old grandmother, Jill LeCroix, earlier this month as the Q52 bus approached Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza the Woodhaven Boulevard—Jamaica Av- LeCroix was assaulted on the Q52 on Woodhaven Boulevard near Jamaica Avenue. enue intersection.

Photo Courtesy of Councilman Holden

Borough President to Host Virtual Info Session on COVID Vax for Young Children

Photo Courtesy of Clark Jones Photography

“As a father, there is nothing more important to me than my son’s safety, so I understand the uncertainty that some Queens parents are feeling when it comes to getting their young children vaccinated against COVID-19,” BP Richards said.

By Forum Staff To answer questions and address concerns that parents may have about getting their children vaccinated, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. will hold a Virtual Info Session on COVID-19 vaccinations for children under 5 years old this Thursday, July 28 at 6 p.m. via Zoom.

Co-sponsored by NYC Council Committee on Health Chair Lynn Schulman

and City Council Committee on General Welfare Chairwoman Diana Ayala, the Virtual Info Session will include a breakdown of the latest information on the safety, side effects and availability of the COVID-19 vaccines for young children. Leading the discussion will be NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Assistant Commissioner of Health Equity Dr. Olusimbo Ige and Dr. Hector Florimon of SOMOS Community Care.

“As a father, there is nothing more important to me than my son’s safety, so I understand the uncertainty that some Queens parents are feeling when it comes to getting their young children vaccinated against COVID-19,” Richards said. “As Queens Borough President, I’m proud to connect these parents with medical experts who will be able to address many of these concerns as we work to ensure as many of our children as possible are inoculated against this vicious disease, which has already claimed the lives of more than 10,000 Queens residents. I encourage all parents of young children to attend our Virtual Info Session and learn about the positive impacts of protecting them against COVID-19.”

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More than 2.1 million Queens residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while a city-leading 86 percent of borough residents — nearly 1.95 million people — have completed their primary vaccine series. According to the State Department of Health, however, just 2.5 percent of Queens residents

under 5 years old have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot as of July 25.

Members of the public who are interested in participating in the Virtual Info Session are asked to register by visiting queensbp.org/RSVP. Zoom links will be sent to registrants on the day of the event.

Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

According to the State Department of Health, just 2.5 percent of Queens residents under 5 years old have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot as of July 25.

Cooling Assistance Demand up 200 Percent

By Forum Staff Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Sunday revealed that New York’s fed-funded “cooling assistance benefit” has been forced to stop accepting applications for the summer—because demand for assistance is up some 200 percent compared to last summer.

Schumer said New York is the gold star when it comes to administering these types of federalfunded programs and that the Department of Health & Human Services has done a tremulous job with getting the money out the door on time, but with rising costs and climate change bearing down on the city, Long Island and beyond, the feds must hone in to help New York with maximum flexibility and resources that can get help to everyone who needs it, especially those at the greatest health risk.

Schumer also pushed for a $1 billion increase, nationally, in LIHEAP funding via the upcoming budget. Schumer said that if this summer is any indication of demand and need, that winter could be just as stressful for New York and the nation.

Schumer said these critical LIHEAP funds, which he has prioritized for New York for decades, help elderly people who live alone, and don’t want to go into a nursing facility afford their utility bills or buy an AC unit. Schumer said HEAP also helps families with medical bills who risk their health sitting in heat waves because they cannot afford their full utility bill. Schumer detailed this specific program, and the relevant fed funds, as he made the case to HHS to hone in on states like New York that have high need and record-setting demand.

According to the CDC, extreme heat events can be dangerous to health – even fatal. These events result in increased hospital admissions for

heat related illness, as well as cardiovascular and respiratory disorders. The CDC also said that extreme heat events can trigger a variety of heat stress conditions, such as heat stroke. Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related disorder. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature. Body temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body cannot cool down.

This condition can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not given. Small children, the elderly, and certain other groups including people with chronic diseases, lower-income populations, and others have higher risks for this condition. Higher temperatures and respiratory problems are also linked. One reason is because higher temperatures contribute to the build-up of harmful air pollutants.

Schumer noted that the CDC also points out that reducing the release of heat-trapping gases like CO2 can help protect our health and wellbeing by decreasing impacts on our climate system. Activities that reduce the amount of heat-trapping CO2 in the atmosphere are many of the same things we already know prevent health problems. Schumer said that is why, aside from pushing for these benefits and supporting cooling assistant programs, the feds must also work to tackle the macro causes of global climate change.

Schumer said that New York has decreased the cooling assistance demand backlog from 30,000 to about 21,000 in the past week alone.

Schumer said that, right now, New York has about $250 million of fed dollars in its HEAP account and that over 1.6 million New Yorkers have benefited from overall HEAP help since January.

Schumer said he will push for an increase in this federal pot in the upcoming budget so that New York can continue to meet rising demand.

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 28 • JULY 28, 2022 | 3

Gun Trafficking Crew Dismantled after Long-Term Investigation B y Fo r u m S t a f f Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, joined by City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell, on Thursday announced a 1,611-count indictment and the arrests of five individuals allegedly involved in a gun-trafficking ring using the notorious Iron Pipeline to smuggle guns purchased in Knoxville, Tennessee, which were then sold illegally in Queens. Law enforcement officials removed more than 180 illegal weapons from Queens neighborhoods, along with 136 high-capacity magazines and hundreds of rounds of ammunition during the course of an 11-month-long investigation, titled Operation Hotcakes.

The DA identified the defendants as Anthony “Tony” Sanford, 57, of Jamaica, Queens; Oliver Sanford, 40, of Springfield Gardens, Queens; Jonathan Harris, 28, of Starling Avenue, the Bronx; Thomas Parsley, 44, of Mickle Avenue, the Bronx; and Richard “Rick” Horne, 70, of Blountville, TN. The defendants were variously indicted by a Queens County grand jury on July 19, 2022 on charges of criminal sale of a firearm, criminal possession of a weapon and conspiracy.

The indictments allege that the ring operated with Jonathan Harris as the main dealer, Richard Horne as the main supplier and Anthony Sanford, his nephew Oliver

Photo Courtesy of DA Katz

In all, 182 firearms, 136 high-capacity magazines, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition were recovered during the investigation.

Sanford, and Thomas Parsley acting as the principal re-sellers and distributors of the weapons sold across Queens and the Bronx.

DA Katz said the investigation began in two separate parts: Following prior intelligence gathered during the summer of 2021, defendant Anthony Sanford sold five handguns as well as .357 and .40 caliber ammunition to an undercover police officer in August and October 2021 in Queens.

Sanford’s nephew, Oliver, was observed

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conducting counter surveillance during both transactions.

According to the charges, a total of 22 buys were allegedly completed between the undercover officer and Anthony Sanford between August 2021 and April 2022 in and around Jamaica and Springfield Gardens, yielding 145 firearms and 99 highcapacity ammunition feeding devices.

An unrelated investigation, initiated in November 2021, revealed the workings of

an arms dealer selling guns on the streets of the Bronx, later identified as defendant Jonathan Harris. DA Katz said, throughout the duration of the entire investigation, the defendants allegedly sold the undercover officers and were otherwise found in possession of 182 firearms, 136 high-capacity magazines, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

“Illegal gun traffickers who flood our neighborhoods with dangerous firearms put every resident of our borough at grave risk,” Katz said. “We have seen far too many instances of guns, purchased down South and trafficked into New York, that are then recovered at devastating crime scenes, leaving bloodshed and tragedy on our streets.

Cutting off the notorious Iron Pipeline supply chain of these deadly weapons is a top priority for my administration. I want to thank the NYPD’s Firearms Investigation Unit for working closely with my Office’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau in bringing these defendants to justice. We will continue our efforts against the proliferation of gun violence in this borough.”

Commissioner Sewell added, “I commend our NYPD detectives and prosecutors in Queens for their sustained focus in this case to interdict guns before they hit our streets. This is the work we all must continue – and we will – because the lives of New Yorkers we serve depend on it.”

Law Bans Smoking in Public Parks, Beaches

Governor Hochul signed the new law earlier this month.

By Forum Staff Governor K athy Hochul recently signed legislation prohibiting smoking in al l State-ow ned beaches, boardwal k s, mar inas, playgrounds, recreation centers, and group camps. Smoking in these designated areas w i l l be punishable w ith a civ i l f ine of $50. The bi l l exempts the Adirondack s and Catski l ls from the ban as wel l as parking lots, sidewal k s adjoining park s, and areas not used for park pur poses.

Many municipalities and local governments already have restric-

Photo Courtesy of Patrick Cashin/MTA

“No one, especially children, should be subjected to secondhand smoke while playing on a playground or enjoying the day at a public beach or camp site,” Sen. Stavisky said.

Photo Courtesy of Darren McGee/Office of the Governor

tions or bans on smoking in public spaces. This additional penalty will enforce a statewide prohibition and includes a fine that will be collected by localities.

“Smoking is a dangerous habit that af fects not only the smoker but ever yone around them, including fami lies and chi ldren enjoy ing our state's great public places,” Hochul said. “I’m proud to sign this legis lation that w i l l protect New Yorkers’ health and help reduce litter in public park s and beaches across the state.”

In a d d i t i o n t o t h e h e a l t h r i s k s posed by secondhand smoke, ciga r e t t e b u t t s a r e a m a j o r e nv i r o n mental hazard due to the nonbiodegradable filters that are discarded. They are the leading item found during cleanup projects. According to the administration, through this prohibition, parks and beaches w ill be kept cleaner and safer as w ill our local ecosystems. “ Ne w Yo r k ’s p u b l i c p a r k s a r e f a m i l y f r i e n d l y v e n u e s . No o n e , especially children, should be subjected to secondhand smoke w h i l e p l ay i n g o n a p l ay g r o u n d o r e n j o y i n g t h e d ay a t a p u b l i c beach or camp site. Our park s also s h o u l d n’ t b e t a i n t e d b y n o n - b i o degradable cigarette butts scatt e r e d t h r o u g h o u t t h e i r g r o u n d s ,” s a i d S t a t e S e n . To b y A n n S t av i s k y (D -Flushing ), w ho sponsored the legislation.

The Pharmacist’s Corner

Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph

STROKES ACT F.A.S.T AND SAVE LIVES This week we’d like to talk with you about a subject that has the potential to save a loved ones life and at the very least minimize the devastating results of having a stroke.

Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability in the United States and the fourth most common cause of death. A stroke occurs when blood flow through an artery to the brain is cut off either by a blockage or because the artery ruptures and bleeds into the brain tissue. More than 85 percent of strokes are because of blockage by a blood clot or plaque (a fatty, waxy substance that accumulates on artery walls).

Getting treatment within the first three hours after stroke onset is critical for minimizing permanent damage. That is why it is so important to act F.A.S.T. Signs of a stroke should prompt F.A.S.T action.

The American Stroke Association developed this easy-to-remember guide to help identify the signs of a stroke.

F – Face drooping. Is one side of the person’s face drooping or numb? When he or she smiles, is the smile uneven?

A – Arm weakness. Is the person experiencing weakness or numbness in one arm? Have the person raise both arms.

Does one of the arms drift downward?

S – Speech difficulty. Is the person’s speech suddenly slurred or hard to understand? Is he or she unable to speak? Ask

the person to repeat a simple sentence.

Can he or she repeat it back?

T – Time to call 9-1-1. If any of these symptoms are present, dial 9-1-1 immediately. Check the time so you can report when the symptoms began.

Consider downloading this free mobile app and learn about the warning signs of stroke, expedite a 911 call, alert your three assigned contacts in case of an emergency and have the nearest stroke centers at your finger tips developed by the Stroke Awareness Foundation: https://www. strokeinfo.org Many risk factors under our control, while others are not. Physical exercise, controlling high blood pressure, eliminating salt, sugar and foods high in fat as well as not smoking are all among the easiest methods to try and prevent strokes.

Risk factors that we have no control over include race, gender—women are far more likely to have strokes than menand family history. All of these factors can contribute to the incidence of stroke.

It is extremely important that you are aware of every proactive precaution available. Time is of the essence when dealing with strokes so take advantage of the wealth of information available on dealing with potential stroke occurrences.

Preparedness saves lives.

Until next week…

For your family’s prescription needs, please call

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Sunday Blaze Damages Small Businesses A usually serene summer Sunday morning last weekend was loudly disturbed around 7 a.m. by the piercing sirens of first responders racing down Cross Bay Boulevard, answering a 911 call of a commercial fire at a nail salon on the Howard Beach thoroughfare near 164th Avenue.

The ridiculously high temperatures coupled with the breeze off the bay allowed the stubborn inferno to quickly spread to two neighboring businesses.

No injuries were reported, but the three shops incurred massive water, fire, and smoke damage.

An eyewitness, who requested that her name not be published, said one of the affected small businesses “literally looked like it had completely melted.”

Photo Courtesy of Eddie Earl

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Lagging Ridership Leaves MTA with Hard Choices, Must Adjust to Changing Demand: State Comptroller

By Forum Staff Overall ridership on the City’s regional transit system is not recovering as hoped, leaving revenue well below pre-pandemic levels and forcing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority into a difficult financial position as federal aid dwindles, according to a report issued Thursday by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.

Even though ridership remains well below 2019 levels, the MTA has restored subway and bus service to encourage ridership and economic recovery. But because farebox revenue from riders has not recovered nearly as well as the MTA had anticipated, large budget gaps exist without the use of federal funding. In 2019, fares covered 51.1 percent of MTA’s overall operating costs (52.8 percent for NYC Transit). As of May 2022, fares covered just 31.9 percent of these costs, which is well below the 40 percent that the MTA had expected in its budget.

Starting in 2025, the MTA will face growing budget gaps. That year it plans to borrow to bridge a $500 million planned deficit in its operating costs. While borrowing only covers one or two years of

File Photo

“The MTA needs to lay out what is at stake and explain to the public what options it’s considering to close budget gaps and how it can adjust to continued low ridership levels and shift service to meet changes in demand,” Comptroller DiNapoli said.

expenses, it will increase the MTA’s debt burden and will not be paid off until 2053.

If ridership does not return that $500 million gap could grow and even double. After 2025, federal funding will have been used up, resulting in structural deficits of $2 billion or more.

How the MTA chooses to close these gaps in the coming years will likely impact riders on subways, buses, Metro-North and Long Island Railroad. The possibility

of service cuts, higher than planned fare hikes, reductions in staffing or maintenance and reduced capital spending are all on the horizon without additional contributions from the MTA’s funding partners or substantial increases in ridership. Additionally, MTA must prioritize its capital plan and determine which projects are most critical and increase budget flexibility.

As DiNapoli’s report notes, other cities have altered service to focus on riders

that most rely on public transit. The MTA has taken some steps to meet changes in demand by exploring increased rapid bus service in the outer boroughs. But there are other changing ridership patterns that may offer opportunities for the MTA to improve service even as it looks for savings. For example, weekend subway ridership in June was at 69 percent of 2019 levels, while weekday was at 61 percent.

Meanwhile, bus ridership was higher on weekdays than weekends. Commuter rail ridership was at, or near, pre-pandemic levels on weekends in June, but weekday ridership was between 60 percent and 65 percent.

“The MTA’s large budget gaps are coming into greater focus as ridership remains well below pre-pandemic levels and federal relief runs out,” DiNapoli said. “Unless there is an additional influx of city, state or federal aid, the MTA is facing stark options for closing its budget gaps that will impact riders. The MTA needs to lay out what is at stake and explain to the public what options it’s considering to close budget gaps and how it can adjust to continued low ridership levels and shift service to meet changes in demand.”

MTA Moving Forward with Capital Projects to Improve Transit Equity

By Forum Staff Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials on Monday detailed an update to the Authority’s 2020-24 Capital Program that adjusts mass transportation needs for a post-COVID world. In a presentation to the MTA Board’s Capital Program Committee, MTA Construction & Development Presi-

the accelerated pace at which the MTA has completed projects during the pandemic, when it took advantage of low ridership to complete accessibility and signal modernization projects. Among the projects included are acceleration of accessibility upgrades at eight LIRR stations; modernization of the signal system on the A, C, and F lines in Brooklyn and Manhattan; Track Trespassing initiatives including the Platform Screen Doors pilot, cameras, and other technologies; bike and pedestrian accessibility at bridge and tunnel crossings; and renewal of Metro-North Railroad’s viaduct along Park Avenue in East Harlem.

“This capital program was already the most ambitious in the agency’s history, and COVID has only highlighted its importance,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “Since the onset of COVID, we ramped up the speed of construction, including accelerating $2.3 billion of work.

We also adopted new strategies to complete projects faster and efficiently – utilizing design-build contracts, holding contractors accountable and providing them with smart financial incentives, and leveraging private partnerships – which we will now use on a larger scale on projects that will help close the gap on transit equity across the region.”

“This proposed amendment will enhance equity and address emerging trends by prioritizing projects that serve riders in areas that rely on transit the most,” said Courtesy of MTA MTA Construction & Development Presi-

dent Jamie Torres-Springer put forward a proposed capital program amendment that allows the MTA to move projects along at a faster pace, offers support for megaproject expansions and rebalances priorities while accounting for the pandemic’s impact on external factors such as inflation, supply chain and labor market issues.

The proposed amendment builds on

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dent Jamie Torres-Springer. “It invests in the resiliency of our transit system, increases micromobility options, and accelerates safety projects to prevent track intrusions.

It also advances critical megaprojects like the reconstruction of Penn Station and connecting the Bronx and Metro-North Railroad to it. All these projects add up to a safer, more resilient, and more equitable transit system for the entire New York City region.”

Implementation of the program resumed following a pause at the start of the pandemic. In 2021, the Authority initiated over $8 billion in projects, with another $8 billion set for 2022. The MTA has been able to contain costs in the early stages of the program, with the median contract for projects coming in 8 percent lower than expected cost. In 2020 and 2021 the Authority completed accessibility projects at the fastest pace in agency history, with 23 subway stations brought online in the two-year span. The Authority also made progress on its signal modernization efforts with the installation of Communications Based Train Controlled (CBTC) signaling on the Queens Boulevard E, F, M, R lines.

Systemwide accessibility remains a top priority for LIRR remains committed to maintaining its significant level of investment to make stations accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Under the proposed amendment, accessibility projects will be accelerated at borough stations: Laurelton, Forest Hills, Hollis, and Douglaston.

Area Pol Appointed to LIPA Commission

Photo Courtesy of Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato

“My priority is to decrease the cost to the ratepayers of Queens and make a lasting impact for our community,” Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato said.

By Forum Staff Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach) has been appointed to the new legislative commission to analyze and decide the future of the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), which encompasses PSEG, the provider of electrical power to the Rockaway Peninsula.

Pheffer Amato was appointed to the commission by Assembly Speaker Carl

Heastie. A seat on the panel is heavily coveted due to its potential to dictate the future of electrical power distribution in a major area of New York State.

The commission will be able to investigate and craft potential reforms that LIPA, and its subsidies like PSEG, would respond to in the areas of transparency, overall operations, electrical rates, storm response and many other areas in an effort to create needed change, Pheffer Amato noted.

“We have high rates, inexcusable delays and a lack of transparency with our electric company. This commission has the impact to restructure the current standards and allow us to shift towards the potential of a public power authority.

My priority is to decrease the cost to the ratepayers of Queens and make a lasting impact for our community,” the assemblywoman said.

The commission is expected to begin its work soon with public hearings and input from those serviced by LIPA. “The Rockaway Peninsula has a seat at the table and I hope all of you will join me in pulling up a chair. You sent me to Albany to be your voice and I want to thank Speaker Heastie for ensuring our community isn’t ignored and we get the energy provider we deserve,” Pheffer Amato added.

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Borough President Releases Community Board Demographic Report

By Forum Staff The Office of Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. has released the 2022 Queens Community Board Demographic Report, which provides both an overview of the current demographic profiles of Queens community boards and a detailed, multilayered breakdown of this year’s historically diverse class of community board appointees.

The report, publication of which is required by the New York City Charter, reads, “In 2022, the Office of Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. continued to build on last year’s progress toward rectifying long-standing demographic inequities in community board membership by doubling down on effective reforms and prioritizing appointees from underrepresented constituencies.

“Borough President Richards’ initiative to digitize the community board application, launched in 2021, continues to be a major success in generating a deeper and more diverse pool of candidates for appointment to Queens’ 14 community boards. Since 2021, over 1,800 people have applied to serve on their local community board, the majority of whom never served before.”

As detailed in the report, there are significant achievements in this year’s class of new appointees. Richards received 884 applications, the second-most applications received in the Office’s history. Of this year’s 345 appointees, 94 are first-time members who were not previously serving on a board.

In line with Borough President Richards’ efforts to appoint younger members to their local community boards,

File Photo

Richards received 884 applications, the second-most applications received in the office’s history.

nearly 48 percent of new appointees are under the age 40, including three appointees in their teens. Prior to Borough President Richards taking office, less than 12 percent of sitting community board members were under the age of 35, while nearly three-quarters of all members were over the age of 45.

Of the 94 first-time community board members, 19.2 percent are immigrants — up from 17.4 percent of Borough President’s Richards’ 2021 class of first-time appointees and just 6.1 percent of sitting community board members as of 2020. Compared to community board membership prior to Borough President Richards taking office, this year’s group of first-time members also includes a greater percentage of individuals who identify as African Americans (22.3 percent to 18.5 percent); Hispanic/ Latinx (17 percent to 8.6 percent); East Asian/Pacific Islander and South Asian (22.3 percent to 16.2 percent); and LGBTQIA+ (6.4 percent to 3.4 percent).

Richards’ community board appointments are a product of the Queens Borough President’s Office’s modernization of the community board application process and aggressive outreach to potential applicants, particularly those from underrepresented constituencies, earlier this year. Efforts to simplify the process included digitizing the application into an easily-fillable online form that no longer required notarization.

The heightened interest also stems from Richards’ 2021 announcement of a series of good-government reforms aimed at establishing a centralized code of conduct for all 14 community boards, as well as a call for a holistic review of each board’s bylaws, making boards more welcoming places for new members.

Any member who violates the Code of Conduct may face corrective action up to and including removal from the board for cause by the Borough President. Complaints against community board members for alleged violations of the Code will be investigated by the Borough President’s General Counsel’s Office.

City Launches Public-Private Homeless Assistance Fund Initiative

By Forum Staff

In a demonstration of the business community’s commitment to helping city government address the challenges of homelessness and mental illness, 61 companies contributed to the launch of the Homeless Assistance Fund Other donors are encouraged to join this effort, with the goal of expanding the program to areas across the city with high concentrations of unsheltered individuals.

The Homeless Assistance Fund will allow Breaking Ground to add addi-

tional outreach worker teams and serve areas not covered by city contracts, such as ATM vestibules, retail spaces, and plazas. The program will initially target areas around major transit hubs and dense office districts. Breaking Ground will offer training for people commuting to work in these districts to help them better understand populations facing homelessness and mental illness and equip employees with practical ways to help.

Mayor Eric Adams and the Partnership for New York City on Tuesday announced the launch of the Homeless Assistance Fund — a collective public-private initiative to provide services and mental health resources to New Yorkers experiencing homelessness. The Homeless Assistance Fund will partner with Breaking Ground, a homeless outreach and housing nonprofit, to accelerate getting unsheltered New Yorkers and individuals living with mental illness into the treatment programs and housing they need. This program will layer and strengthen the city’s existing homeless outreach initiatives, including Adams’ Subway Safety Plan, that has connected approximately 2,000 individuals to shelter since beginning in February.

The Homeless Assistance Fund is an expansion of Breaking Ground’s Connect to Care initiative piloted over the past two years with several private sector partners, including Macy’s, Vornado, Starbucks, and the MetLife Foundation. The Partnership’s interest in the project was in response to the concerns expressed by employees of its member companies in a Morning Consult survey. Employees identified care for the city’s mentally ill and unsheltered population as the top priority for charitable action Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office “When New Yorkers come together to do the right thing, we can make real progress,” said Mayor Adams. by the business community.

Preliminary data shows Connect to Care can help someone experiencing homelessness access a transitional housing placement up to three times faster due to more frequent engagement and access to locations that had not previously been canvassed. Connect to Care is a value-add program that layers over existing outreach with opportunities for more intensive trust building. Breaking Ground expects to begin phasing in deployment of expanded outreach teams in seven initial areas by early fall 2022.

“When New Yorkers come together to do the right thing, we can make real progress,” said Adams. “The Homeless Assistance Fund is a public-private partnership that will continue our work to tackle street homelessness by bringing together more than 60 of New York City’s businesses to offer support, resources, and a path to stability for people experiencing homelessness. In concert with the city’s unprecedented efforts and investments on the subways and in the streets, we can make sure that none of our brothers and sisters experiencing homelessness falls through the cracks. I’m grateful to the Partnership for New York City for spearheading this effort and our business partners for stepping up and coming together to help fight homelessness.”

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 28 • JULY 28, 2022 | 9

Department of Correction Captain, Three Officers Indicted in Rikers Island Inmate’s Suicide Attempt

File Photo

Four City Department of Correction staffers have been indicted for failing to help an inmate who had attempted suicide by hanging himself in a holding cell in Rikers Island in 2019.

By Forum Staff Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark and City Department of Investigation Commissioner Jocelyn Strauber Monday announced that a City Department of Correction captain and three Correction officers have been indicted for failing to help an inmate who had attempted suicide by hanging himself in a holding cell in Rikers Island in 2019. The inmate suffered significant brain damage.

Clark said DOC Captain Terry Henry, 37, and Correction Officers Daniel Fullerton, 27, Kenneth Hood, 35, and Mark Wilson, 46, were arraigned Monday on first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree reckless endangerment, and official misconduct. The defendants are due back in court on Sept. 15. According to the investigation by DOI and the Bronx District Attorney’s Public Integrity Bureau, the victim, Nicholas Feliciano, then 18 years old, was inside Intake Pen 11 in the George

Photo Courtesy of Bronx DA Clark

Bronx DA Darcel Clark

R. Vierno Center on the night of Nov. 27, 2019 when he tied two sweatshirts to the ceiling of the holding cell and wrapped them around his neck. Feliciano stood on the privacy partition, crouched down, then stepped off the partition, causing the sweatshirts to constrict his neck. Feliciano’s body shook and twisted for approximately 2 minutes until he went still.

According to the investigation, over the course of 7 minutes and 51 seconds, DOC staff and other personnel can be seen on

surveillance video walking past Feliciano and taking no action to cut him down or render aid. Defendants Hood, Wilson, and Fullerton were on post in the Intake, and their supervisor at the time was Captain Henry. Henry, Fullerton, and another Correction officer ultimately attempted to cut Feliciano down, and the victim fell to the ground, limp. They began CPR and called for medical assistance. Feliciano suffered significant brain damage and is currently in a rehabilitation center.

Jury Convicts Man of Shooting Wife in Jamaica Hotel

By Forum Staff An Elmont man has been convicted of shooting his wife during a dispute at a hotel in Jamaica in March 2020, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Monday.

Malcom White, 44, was convicted Friday after a two-week jury trial before Queens Supreme Court Justice Michael Yavinsky. White was found guilty of attempted murder in the second degree and

Hillside Hotel

criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. Yavinsky set sentencing for Sept. 28. The defendant faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

Katz said, according to trial testimony, on March 27, 2020, emergency medical technicians and police responded to a 911 call from the Hillside Hotel on Queens Boulevard in Jamaica. Upon their arrival, emergency responders searched to find the exact source of the earlier distress call. A callback led to the defendant who was shar-

Photo Courtesy of Google

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ing a hotel room with his wife, 34-year-old Charisse Ayres. When EMTs contacted the defendant’s room, White told them, “If you come in here, I’ll blow her head off.”

Police also responded to the hotel in search of the couple and their room. The victim was found in the hotel lobby, naked, with a gunshot wound to her arm and several bone fractures to her face. Police attempted to gain entry to White’s hotel room by kicking in the dead-bolted door.

Inside, police found blood in various places

around the room. Police later recovered a fired bullet from a drained bathtub and found two cell phones – one concealed under the mattress and another in the toilet. A tower of old tires beneath a broken window in the hotel room led police to conduct an area search outside. The defendant was discovered naked behind the hotel. Police also recovered an unloaded revolver near the back of the hotel.

Katz called this case “especially heinous.”

District Attorney Katz characterized this case as “especially heinous.”

Photo Courtesy of DA Katz

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Legal Notices Notice of formation of 35 AVE XU OPERATOR LLC Arts of Org filed with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/06/22.

Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against to: THE LLC 35-06 LEAVITT ST., SUITE CF-A, FLISHING, NY, 11354, USA. Purpose: any lawful act.

BROKERHEDGE.COM LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/11/2022. Office loc: Queens County.

SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Isaac Cohen, 9955 65 Avenue, Rego Park, NY 11374. Reg Agent: Isaac Cohen, 9955 65 Avenue, Rego Park, NY 11374. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

104 CORONA ASSOCIATES, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 05/06/22. 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, 104-01 Corona Avenue, Corona, NY 11368. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

FERN AND AURORA LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 05/14/2022. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to:CHERRY ADAME, 8316 CHARLECOTE RIDGE, JAMAICA ESTATES, NY, 11432, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

DMLIC LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 6/9/2022.

Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process 4325 Hunter St., apt.

837E, Long Island City, NY 11101. General Purpose.

48-39 40TH SUNNYSIDE, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/29/22. 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, 70Bluebird Lane, Plainview, NY 11803. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

REALTOPIA REAL ESTATE LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/06/22. 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 REALTOPIA REAL ESTATE LLC 4721 188TH STREET, FLUSHING NY, 11358, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation: REDMAN NYC LLC Art. Of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/24/2022.

Office Loc.: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: VERONICA A TAPIA ELIZALDE, 4811 192ND STREET. FRESH MEADOW, NY, 11365, USA. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

70th Ave Forest Hills LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 6/23/2022. Cty: Queens.

SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 100-11 70th Ave., Forest Hills, NY 11375. General Purpose

Notice of Formation: DOCK 3366 LLC, Art. Of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/21/2022.

Office Loc.: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: TAI K. AARON POON, 142-38 ROOSEVELT AVE., FLUSHING, NY, 11354, USA. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of ZMWIN LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 6/27/22. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 106-18 49th Ave, Corona, NY 11368. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation: Penn Foster LLC, Art. Of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/30/2022. Office Loc.: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 3808 Union St Ste 10C, Flushing, NY 11354. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

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360 VERMONT IGY LLC. Filed 1/10/2019. Office: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 143-24 84 DRIVE, QUEENS, NY 11435. Purpose: General.

Notice of formation of limited liability company. Name: BJJ ENTERPRISES LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/11/2022. Office loc: Queens County.

SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Lila Ayers, Esq, 8 East Project Avenue, Suite A1, Mount Vernon New York, 10550, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Lara Amadahzie Investors LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 6/8/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 195-04 Linden Blvd., #120055, Saint Albans, NY 11412. General Purpose Notice of formation of limited liability company. Name: BJJ ENTERPRISES LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/11/2022. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Lila Ayers, Esq, 8 East Project Avenue, Suite A1, Mount Vernon New York, 10550, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Notice of formation of limited liability company. Name: MJM TONG FA PROPERTY LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/20/2022. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to MJM TONG FA PROPERTY LLC P.O. BOX 541400, FLUSHING, NY, 11354, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Pur-pose.

Notice of formation of limited liability company. Name: EMILY FRANCES OLSON LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/17/2022. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to EMILY FRANCES OLSON LLC, 72-32 KESSEL STREET, FOREST HILLS, NY, 11375, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Queens County, on the 30th day of JULY 6, 2020, bearing Index Number NC000251-20/QU, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 89-17 Sutphin Blvd., Jamaica, New York, 11435, grants me the right to assume the name of (first) DEBRA (last) GOSS-WILLIAMS. My present name is DEBRA WILLIAMS AKA DEBRA GOSS AKA DEBRA GOSS-WILLIAMS. The city and state of my present address is SOUTH OZONE PARK, NY,.

The month and year of my birth are SEPTEMBER 1961. The place of my birth is QUEENS, NY.

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