THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | MARCH 2, 2023

Paltry Survey Turnout Forces Civic to Nix Plan for Privately-Funded Security Service for Howard Beach

sociation Co-President Barbara McNamara on Tuesday evening announced that only 230 residents had lled out and returned the survey the civic had made available to help determine residents’ interest in a private force—less than a quarter of the number needed to further explore the idea.

“ is says it’s not really something that’s wanted out there,” McNamara said. “And I’m not sure we need it.”

e service would have cost $100 per family per year for one car, $200 a year for two, and so on.

Area residents had become concerned about a perceived rise in crime, speci cally on Cross Bay Boulevard, where reports of “handle sur ng,” an o ense of opportunity in which car door handles are pulled and if a door is unlocked valuables inside are stolen, poured into the civic and into social media posts.

“Lock your car doors. A er a while they will stop sur ng,” McNamara said before pivoting to the ills of social media.

“ ere are no migrant homes being built on Spring Creek,” she said, referring to an erroneous Facebook post that had many area residents worried. “ at was terrible that that post was allowed to stay up that long. I would like to take to task anyone who puts up a post [that makes Howard Beach] look like a place people would not want to live in.”

Captain Jerome Bacchi, commanding ofcer of the 106th Precinct, noted at Tuesday’s civic meeting that overall crime in the precinct

is down 17 percent compared to the same time last year. However, he acknowledged that vehicle the is still a problem in Sector A (Howard Beach, Old Howard Beach, Lindenwood) with 17 cars pilfered already this year across those three communities.

Civic Co-President Phyllis Inserillo said real change can only happen if Albany allows it.

“If we don’t change the State [bail reform] law, nothing is going to change,” she added.

By Michael V. Cusenza

“Now every li le thing that happens is promoted on Facebook,” she added. “Trust me, we’re not going to hell in a handbasket.”

McNamara echoed a point made earlier in the evening by City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park).

Districting Commission, CUNY Release Study of City’s Evolving and Emerging Neighborhoods

By Michael V. Cusenza

e City Districting Commission and CUNY Research Consortium on Monday released a study of NYC’s evolving and emerging neighborhoods.

e Districting Commission is legally required to consider communities of interest when drawing City Council district lines. With

the new Council lines having been drawn, the report identi es and analyzes emerging communities of interest across the ve boroughs. For the purposes of the study, researchers de ned a community as a group of people who share some-thing in common, live together in the same place, or both.

e report noted the following key trends:

• e city’s population and voting age citizenry grew between 2010 and 2020, but future growth trends are less clear as the impacts of COVID play out and the city gradually ages.

• e racial makeup of the overall population and “citizens of voting age population” (i.e., those who are eligible to vote, referred to as CVAP) CVAP continued to shi , as the white and Black populations declined and Asians and Latinos grew, driven by immigrants and their native born descendants. e map on the cover of this report shows their current spatial distribution.

• e pa erns across the broad racial groups within the population and CVAP have been driven by distinctive trends among the speci c ethnic groups that make them up: some of these ethnic groups have been declining while others are growing, some rapidly.

• ese ethnic groups have also been shi ing their spatial concentrations across the city, driving neighbor-hood change and increasing neighborhood diversity. e racial intermarriage is also increasing.

• All groups experienced an increase of real household income per capita and educational and occupation-al a ainment, but at di erent rates.

percent) or Latinx (28 percent), with 23 percent white and 16 percent Black. Brooklyn has the second highest Asian population share (26 percent) followed by Manha an (17 percent), Bronx (5 percent), and Staten Island (4 percent). However, the ethnic composition and concentration of Asian New Yorkers varies a great deal across the boroughs. Not surprisingly, given that it is the largest Asian ethnic group, the Chinese make up large shares of the Asian populations of Manha an (52 percent), Brooklyn (65 percent), and Staten Island (48 percent). Even in hyper-diverse Queens, the Chinese make up 40 percent of its sizable Asian population. e Asian population in the Bronx is small, but it is majority South Asian, with only 12 percent of the borough’s Asian population being Chinese. Queens is home to an overwhelming majority of Nepalese (86 percent) and Indonesian (82 percent) New Yorkers. In addition to these small ethnic groups, a majority of New York’s sizable Asian ethnic groups including Asian Indians (60 percent), Koreans (58 percent), Bangladeshis (67 percent), Filipinos (62 percent), ais (67 percent) and Burmese (65 percent) call Queens home.

Courtesy of City Districting Commission

Section 4 of the report notes that Queens has become the epicenter of Asian New York, providing home to 49 percent of the city’s Asian population. More than half of the population of Queens is Asian (27

Also, the study shows that t the decline of the city’s Black (-1.84 percent) and white (-1.75 percent) populations was oset by substantial net growth of the Asian (14.45 percent) and Latino (3.42 percent) populations, yielding the modest overall gain (2.2 percent).

Howard Beach is not ge ing a privatelyfunded security patrol—for now, at least. Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic As -

Photo Courtesy of the Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic Association e hoax Facebook post announcing that homes for migrants were being built “on the outskirts of the Howard Beach area.”

Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza

Captain Jerome Bacchi, commanding o cer of the 106th Precinct, addresses residents Tuesday evening.

ACS Family Center Coming to Ozone Park

By Forum Sta

City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) Commissioner Jess Dannhauser on Tuesday announced the eight awards selected for the second phase of the City’s “Family Enrichment Center” (FEC) expansion plan, which includes an FEC set for Ozone Park that will also serve Woodhaven, South Ozone Park, and Howard Beach.

Launched in 2017, FECs are home-like walk-in centers that are co-designed with community members. At the centers, families and children can connect with neighbors, volunteer their time, and access resources and supports they feel they need to thrive. ACS is currently undergoing an expansion of the FECs from three existing sites to thirty sites over the next two years. The new centers will be located in the neighborhoods identified by the city’s Taskforce on Racal Inclusion and Equity (TRIE) based on their equity burdens and the impact of COVID-19. Plans for the first phase of the expansion, which includes nine additional sites, were announced last year; those sites will be opening soon and have already begun engaging their respective communities.

On Tuesday, ACS announced the eight awards selected to run the second phase of the FEC expansion—including three set for Queens:

• Martin De Porres in Ozone Park/ Woodhaven/South Ozone Park/Howard Beach

• Community Mediation Services, Inc. in Elmhurst/Corona

• Queens Community House, Inc. in Jackson Heights

According to ACS, FECs are built on trust, positive relationships and making real the dreams held by community members for their future. They are welcoming, safe, and accessible home-like environments, open to all, where neighbors can connect, contribute and access the information they feel

they need. ACS entrusts provider agency staff with co-designing experiences with the community, that help deepen child and family well-being and parental resiliency, build new connections and develop lifelong bonds. Alongside FEC staff, community members may join advisory groups and help to build inclusive FEC experiences that are as unique as the communities in which FECs operate. Members may include individuals whose experiences with community resources or public systems, make them well positioned to support their neighbors.

FECs also proved crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing critical supports to families in need, including food, clothing, and technology, as well as social supports to parents and caregivers. A 2020 evaluation of the FECs showed that the first three Centers are having a positive impact on families. FEC members reported that the FECs were enhancing their social supports (from family, friends and neighbors), family functioning, emotional connection with their children, and outlook on life. Additionally, those surveyed reported significant increases in their access to advice and resources in addressing several life challenges, including parenting, financial issues, relationships, food and nutrition issues, and stress management. The report also said that FECs were having a positive effect on members’ access to concrete supports, which can help families better cope with stress, particularly in times of crisis.

The three existing FECs are: The C.R.I.B. in East New York; Circle of Dreams in Highbridge and; O.U.R. Place in Hunts Point/ Longwood. The first phase of the expansion includes sites in Jamaica/Hollis/Queens Village, Rockaway, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, Mott Haven, Soundview/Parkchester, Central Harlem, East Harlem & St. George/ Stapleton. These centers will be opening soon and like all FECs, are free and don’t in

volve record keeping or case management.

File Photo

ACS Commissioner Jess Dannhauser

Forest Hills Man Charged after Allegedly Repeatedly Injuring his Puppy

By Forum Sta

A Forest Hills man has been charged for allegedly repeatedly injuring his 10-weekold female Boston Terrier to the point the puppy could neither walk nor stand, Queens District A orney Melinda Katz announced Tuesday.

A necropsy and review of medical records revealed that Paul Verite’s dog, named Espy, su ered excruciating pain before dying.

Verite has been arraigned on a complaint charging him with aggravated cruelty to animals and overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, and failure to provide sustenance.

According to the charges, on multiple occasions in September, October and November, Verite took Espy to Austin Veterinary Care and Blue Pearl Animal Hospital. Each time, Espy required treatment for a variety of unexplained and suspicious injuries, which included a scleral/subconjunctival hemorrhage, torn toenail, suspected traumatic brain injury, head contusion, and bruising suspected to be from blunt force trauma.

During Espy’s nal medical visit, a veterinarian at Austin Veterinary Care began treating the dog for a potential seizure but observed the dog was failing to respond to treatment. Suspecting Espy was su ering from a traumatic head injury, the veteri-

narian referred Verite to Blue Pearl Animal Hospital for emergency care.

Espy arrived at Blue Pearl Animal Hospital in critical condition and was determined to be unable to stand or walk. Further examination revealed that Espy was su ering from bilateral ail chest, swelling and bruising on her abdomen and scleral hemorrhaging on both eyes and was in critical condition. It was further determined that there was no guarantee Espy’s neurological signs would improve if surgery was performed. Verite opted to euthanize Espy.

A necropsy was conducted by a forensic veterinarian who also reviewed prior medical records relating to the injuries Espy sustained during her life. It was determined the

Espy su ered multiple injuries, including multiple blunt force traumas to her ribs. Of Espy’s 26 ribs, 21 were fractured, with over half fractured in more than one place. Espy’s broken ribs presented in di erent stages of healing indicating that Espy had su ered multiple blunt force injuries prior to her death. ese injuries caused Espy to experience excruciating pain before her death.

“To see a trusting, defenseless creature brutalized the way this puppy was over the course of her short, tortured life makes you heartsick,” Katz said. “ e defendant will be held to account for the violence he is alleged to have in icted upon this poor animal.”

If convicted, Verite faces up to two years in prison.

Photo Courtesy of Google

Espy was initially treated at Austin Veterinary Care in Forest Hills.

Photo Courtesy of Google

She was eventually referred to Blue Pearl Animal Hospital, also in Forest Hills, for emergency care.

Fired Starbucks Worker Reinstated

By Forum Staff

Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga on Monday announced a settlement with coffee giant Starbucks over the wrongful termination of Austin Locke in violation of the “just cause” protections of New York City’s New York City’s Fair Workweek Law.

Last fall, DCWP announced a lawsuit against Starbucks for illegally firing the longtime barista from one of its Astoria locations. Starbucks has now agreed to reinstate Locke to his former position at the Astoria Starbucks where he worked, pay over $21,000 in backpay and penalties, and comply with the city’s Fair Workweek Law going forward.

“Getting reinstated is not just a win for me but a win for the working class,” Locke said. “Let this be an example to all: In New York City, you can’t mess with workers.”

In July 2022, DCWP received a complaint from Locke alleging that Starbucks had unlawfully fired him from his job. DCWP quickly launched an investigation and found that Starbucks did in fact terminate Locke unlawfully. DCWP gave Starbucks an opportunity to reinstate Locke at the conclusion of the investigation. When Starbucks failed to do so, DCWP filed a petition on Sept. 1, 2022 with the New York City Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings. The petition requested an order of reinstatement and backpay for Locke, which he will now receive under this settlement.

Under the Fair Workweek Law, it is illegal for fast food employers to fire or lay off workers who have completed a probation period of 30 days, or reduce

their hours by more than 15 percent, without just cause or a legitimate economic reason. Whenever an employee is discharged or has their hours reduced by 15 percent or more without their consent, the employer must give the worker a notice of discharge in writing within five days that explains the reason. A discharged employee who loses a scheduled shift is entitled to premium pay for each lost shift. Employers and employees can visit the city’s workers’ rights page or call 311 (212-NEW-YORK outside New York City) for more information about the law, including an overview of the law, information about the required progressive discipline policy, different templates for signage that must be posted, and FAQs.

“New York’s workers should know that we will always fight to protect their rights,” Adams said. “Thanks to the efforts of our administration, Austin Locke will be returning to his job today at Starbucks — and with thousands of dollars in backpay in his pocket. We will not stand by when an employee is unlawfully terminated, and I commend DCWP for its quick work in this case.”

Since the Fair Workweek Law went into effect in November 2017, DCWP has received more than 520 complaints about potential Fair Workweek violations, closed more than 230 investigations, and obtained resolutions requiring nearly $27.1 million in combined fines and restitution for more than 20,100 workers.

DCWP Commissioner Vera Mayuga added, “DCWP will not hesitate to take legal action to put someone back to work after an unlawful termination. Any fast food worker who believes they’ve been fired unfairly should contact us immediately.”

The Pharmacist’s Corner

Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph

ALLERGY BUSTING

THE EARLY BIRD CAN SHUT DOWN SUFFERING

Although some may argue that it's too early to introduce the subject ma er of this column, I've always subscribed to the common sense theories behind early preparation.

A er the fabled terror that March weather can o en bestow upon us, comes April-- and the long-awaited beginning of Spring!

But the beautiful sights and smells of the blossoms that accompany April are not the only arrivals that mark start of Spring.

e American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology says that more than 50 million Americans su er from allergies. Among the most common are food, dust, pollen mold, insect stings, animal dander , medications and latex.

While some allergy su erers may only face irritations from minor symptomology, others can have life-threatening reactions and without medical a ention, they can die.

Fortunately, for those people with less severe conditions, the secret to freedom from those maddening itches, sneezes, scratchy throats and watery eyes, is as near as the counters and shelves of your local pharmacy. A host of over the counter (OTC), remedies available are sure to bring an end to your misery.

Leading experts in the allergy eld have made the suggestion that treating your symptoms early can lead to reducing the e ects of allergy-associated respiratory distress.

ere is also staunch support for monitoring the pollen count and remaining indoors during the hours when the counts are at their highest (10 am to 4 pm). Other advice is to use lters and keep windows closed during the day.

ere is also great advocacy for continued spring cleaning--that's right--mop those oors and wash the curtains regularly.

When allergy su erers spend long periods of time outside, they can also minimize e ects by showering o en, washing their hair and clothes to get rid of allergens that are carried into the home upon returning from a day outside.

Remember it's not only your personal grooming that needs focus. Regular bathing and brushing of your pets will greatly reduce the irritants in your home. And as hard as it may be on your heart, try keeping your furry friends out of the bedroom.

If you'd like to help your healthcare providers gure out how best to manage your individual condition, you should also keep a journal to track the time of day you symptoms are at the height.

Your local pharmacist can o er invaluable advice on many products to ease your su ering.

Readily available nasal sprays like Flonase Allergy Relief , Nasacort Allergy 24 HR can treat runny noses, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes and scratchy throats.

Next on the scene are Antihistamines like Allegra, Zyrtec that are time released and can provide relief for long periods of the day without drowsiness. Decongestants like the QlearQuil product line o ers combined therapies to combat sinuses and congestion.

Finally, air lters that t inside the nose o er protection and assistance for keeping allergens out before they gain entrance to your system . ese are drug free products and act to block things like dust, pollen and pet dander from nding their way into your respiratory system.

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

Park: Mon-Sat 9am-7pm. Sunday: Closed.

New Development in Ariola ‘Law & Order’ Case

By Michael V. Cusenza

City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) on Tuesday updated her constituents on a new development in her case against the showrunners and writers of “Law & Order: SVU.”

In November, Ariola wrote to NBC, “I am deeply disappointed in your decision to paint the neighborhood of Howard Beach in such a negative light during an episode of ‘Law & Order: SVU’ titled ‘A Be er Person’ (Season 24; Episode 8.) Your writers opting to label the 26,000+ residents of this diverse neighborhood as ‘racist, sexist, and phobic about just about everything’ is highly o ensive, and re ects a lack of forethought and compassion for the people who live here.

“It has been decades since the specter of hatred unfairly labeled our community—hatred for which the individual perpetrators have been punished—and yet people such as yourselves continue to pass judgment on a community at large because of past incidents,” the councilwoman said in her missive. “We as a community are by no means anything like the words spoken, and to continue to label us as such is unfair and, in fact, defamatory.”

Speaking Tuesday evening at the Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic Association meeting, Ariola noted that “lobbyists” for the popular crime procedural had recently visited her o ce, hats in hand, asking Ariola what she needed to resolve the issue.

“’You’ve got to do something really great for us,’” the councilwoman answered.

“ ey depicted us in a horri c way,” Ariola added. “ is is not a community of monsters. is is a community of law-abiding citizens.” File Photo Councilwoman Joann Ariola

Photo Courtesy of Secure Jobs NYC

“Let this be an example to all: In New York City, you can’t mess with workers,” Starbucks barista Austin Locke (seated) said.

MTA Releases February Financial Plan

By Forum Staff

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority recently released its February Financial Plan, which includes the 2023 Adopted Budget, the 2023-2026 Financial Plan, and all relevant financial tables and reconciliations to the 2022 November Plan.

The purpose of the February Financial Plan is to incorporate certain Board-approved MTA Adjustments that were captured “below-the-line” and on a consolidated basis in the November Financial Plan into Agencies’ Financial Plan baseline budgets and forecasts. It also establishes a 12-month allocation of the Adopted Budget for financials, utilization, and positions, which will be compared with actual results. Variances will be analyzed and reported monthly to Board Committees. The February Plan, unlike the July and November Plans, typically does not include new proposals or programs.

The November Plan, which the Board approved in December 2022, projected a continued balanced budget in 2023 assuming $600 million of additional government funding or MTA actions, which could include further expense reduction, additional revenues, or acceleration of federal COVID aid to achieve balance for 2023 that would have otherwise been used to reduce deficits in the years after 2023. Annual deficits of $1.2 billion in 2024 and 2025, and a deficit of $1.6 billion in 2026 remain. MTA operating efficiencies, applying the financial resources stemming from federal COVID aid to reduce debt and operating costs throughout the Plan period, and the cash repayment (rather than long-term bonding) of the Federal Reserve loan are reflected in these deficits, which otherwise would have been significantly higher.

As noted, the November Plan included an assumption of $600 million of additional government funding, and if that could not be fully or partially realized, additional cost savings actions, revenue generation, or a rescheduling of the financial benefit from federal COVID aid over the financial plan period would be required. On February 1, 2023, Governor Hochul released her State Fiscal Year 2024 Executive Budget which addressed the $600 million need for 2023 as well as the deficits projected to start in 2024. Among the Governor’s proposals to address the MTA fiscal imbalance are: increases in the top rate of the Payroll Mobility Tax which is anticipated to generate $800 million annually; nearly $500 million annually from New York City through increased City payments for paratransit costs and student fares, as well as a City-funded increase in PMT Offset payments to MTA related to the foregone tax revenue of PMT exemptions for small businesses and K-12 schools

at the higher rate; $300 million in onetime State aid in SFY 2023 to address the extraordinary pandemic impact on MTA operating revenues; and, a share of licensing fees for up to three downstate casinos as well as a share of annual tax revenues generated from these casinos expected to provide revenues to MTA no earlier than 2026. The additional and recurring governmental support in Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget, combined with MTA operating efficiencies, proposed fare and toll increases and other MTA actions set forth in the November Plan, is projected to be sufficient to balance MTA’s financial plan through the financial plan period and potentially beyond 2026.

The February Plan incorporates into the MTA baseline several Boardapproved actions that were captured below-the-line in the November Plan:

lion in each of 2025 and 2026, which is unchanged from the November Plan. Financial Resources Stemming from Federal COVID Aid for Operating and Debt Costs. MTA is proposing to use the resources made available from federal COVID aid for direct deficit funding, debt payments, pension payments and retiree health deposits over the financial plan period. The November Plan anticipated using remaining financial resources made available from CRSSA aid ($1,166 million) and ARPA aid ($776 million) to offset the 2022 deficit. Through the remainder of the November Plan period, $598 million of financial benefit from ARPA aid will be applied against MTA Bus and SIR deficits, reducing New York City subsidies by the same amount and therefore not available to offset MTA deficits. This leaves $5,620 million of remain -

initiatives will generate $100 million in 2023, increasing to $400 million in 2024, $408 million in 2025 and $416 million in 2026. This is unchanged from the November Plan.

• Fare and Toll Increase in 2023. The February Plan includes a 5.5% fare and toll increase beginning in June 2023 which still requires future Board approval. This increase is projected to generate for MTA, after factoring in subsidy impacts for MTA Bus, SIR and B&T, $201 million in 2023, $362 million in 2024, $369 million in 2025, and $375 million in 2026. This is unchanged from the November Plan when factoring in the $100 million in annualized additional fare and toll revenue from the “Additional Fare/Toll Revenue Above Base Assumptions” which were also included in the November Plan.

• Fare and Toll Increase in 2025. An increase in fares and tolls, yielding a 4% overall increase in farebox and toll revenues, is assumed for implementation in April 2025 which still requires future Board approval. This increase is projected to generate for MTA, after factoring in subsidy impacts for MTA Bus, SIR and B&T, $210 million in 2025 and $283 million in 2026. This is unchanged from the November Plan.

MTA Operating Efficiencies Phase

1. Remaining Operating Efficiencies Phase 1, totaling $44 million in 2023, $48 million in 2024, and $46 million thereafter, have been incorporated “above-the-line” into the baseline financial plan. Provision for Increased Pension Costs. To conform with the increase in pension costs for NYCERS in New York City’s November Financial Plan, the MTA included a provision below-the-line totaling $83 million in 2023, $176 million in 2024, $263 million in 2025 and $344 million in 2026. These amounts have been incorporated “above-the-line” into Agency baseline financial plans. Savings from Deficit Note Repayment. This action, approved by the Board, repays from the unspent proceeds of the borrowing, and not from long-term bond, the Federal Reserve Municipal Liquidity Facility Bond Anticipation Note at maturity. This proposed action eliminates debt service costs of $111 million in 2023, $178 million in 2024, and $190 mil -

ing resources stemming from ARPA aid available, with $4,365 million utilized through 2026 and $1,255 million to offset liabilities beyond the financial plan period to moderate the potential growth of deficits beyond the plan period. The financial benefit from federal COVID aid have been moved from belowthe-line and are incorporated in the consolidated subsidy tables in the February Plan, with the impact on the bottom line unchanged from the November Plan.

Several items remain below-the-line in this Plan:

• MTA Operating Efficiencies Phase 2. MTA operating agencies are engaged in an ambitious effort to identify innovative ways of doing business more efficiently and, as a result, reduce expenses and improve service to customers. Operating Agency and Headquarters leadership have identified concrete initiatives to generate sizeable savings and help shrink the outyear deficits. The operating efficiency

• FEMA COVID Reimbursement. Reimbursement of direct COVID-related expenses through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are expected to increase by $44 million to $749 million in the Plan, reflecting reimbursable expenses incurred through July 2022. Claims and supporting documentation were submitted to FEMA through the State in October of 2022. The February Plan assumes MTA will receive reimbursements of $250 million in 2023, $100 million in 2024, $250 million in 2025 and $149 million in 2026, although timing remains uncertain. This assumption is unchanged from the November Plan.

• New Government Funding or Additional MTA Actions. The 2023 budget assumes $600 million in additional government funding and/or additional MTA actions, both of which have not yet been specified. If no additional government funding is made available, MTA actions could include further expense reduction, additional revenues, or acceleration in the use of the financial benefit from federal COVID aid to achieve balance for 2023 that would have otherwise been used to reduce deficits in the years after 2023. As noted earlier, the State Fiscal Year 2024 Executive Budget includes actions to address the $600 million need for 2023, as well as providing additional resources to direct towards the deficits in the out-years of the Plan period. As the State Budget process proceeds, MTA will monitor these proposals and will adjust the July Plan accordingly.

File Photo

e MTA Recently released its latest nancial plan.

Over 4,000 Homeless Accepted Shelter Since Launch of ‘Subway Safety Plan’

By Forum Staff

Mayor Eric Adams rode the subways overnight last week with WABC-TV’s N.J. Burke on the one-year anniversary of the launch of the Subway Safety Plan and discussed the City’s progress supporting New Yorkers experiencing homelessness, and ensuring riders feel safe while using the subway system.

Since the start of the plan last February, 4,000 New Yorkers experiencing homeless -

ness accepted shelter, and over 1,300 New Yorkers still currently remain in shelter, stabilizing their lives on a path toward permanent housing.

is past fall, Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul announced phase two of the city’s subway safety e orts, adding 1,200 additional overtime o cer shi s each day. Adams noted that major crime in transit stations is down 18 percent since the beginning of 2023, compared with the same period in 2022. As a result of this progress, in

December, subway ridership topped 3.9 million people in one day, the highest number since the pre-pandemic period, and riders are reporting an increased feeling of safety through customer satisfaction surveys.

“I started my career as a transit police o cer, so I know rsthand that subway safety is public safety,” Adams said. “Our transit system is the key to ge ing to work, to school, visiting family and friends, and experiencing all that New York City has to o er. It makes life in our city possible.

Last year, Governor Kathy Hochul and I announced a Subway Safety plan, where we promised to devote more resources to helping those experiencing homelessness and facing mental health crisis get the shelter and the care they needed. We knew it would take time to build trust with this vulnerable population, and I’m proud that, one year into this work, we have successfully connected more than 4,000 people facing homelessness with shelter and the assistance they deserve.”

File Photo

Mayor Adams launched the Subway Safety Plan in February 2022.

File Photo Adams noted that major crime in transit stations is down 18 percent since the beginning of 2023, compared with the same period in 2022.

Pols Demands Answers on Info Sharing between City Department of Correction and ICE

By Michael V. Cusenza

Congresswoman Grace Meng (DFlushing) announced on Monday that she led her Congressional colleagues in a letter to City Department of Correction Commissioner Louis Molina asking him to provide information about DOC’s communication practices and policies with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

“New York City has always been a welcoming place for immigrants and people who want their shot at the American Dream. That is why it is so disturbing to learn of the pattern of inappropriate communication between the Department of Correction and ICE that may have facilitated and expedited removals of immigrant New Yorkers,” Meng said. “City law clearly defines the situations under which communication and information sharing between DOC and ICE may occur, however, the emails shared during a recent City Council hearing suggest several instances of cooperation that is in violation of local laws. That is why I am pressing DOC for additional information about their communications practices and policies to ensure immigrant New Yorkers are not harmed by unlawful coordination

between federal officials and city government. New York City has a legacy of welcoming newcomers to our country,

and we must ensure that our government agencies – across all levels – are living that legacy.”

City Councilwoman Shahana Hanif (D-Brooklyn) recently led a joint hearing of the City Council committees on Immigration and Criminal Justice regarding email communications between ICE and DOC. The emails, obtained through a Freedom of Information Law request initiated by the Immigrant Defense Project and Black Alliance for Justice Immigration, revealed a culture of cooperation between the two agencies. This cooperation included “scheduled release times to facilitate ICE pickups” and “shared unsolicited information that could be used to expedite removals.” The email correspondences also exposed messages from a DOC officer requesting that ICE pick up someone, using the phrase “#teamsendthemback” and “You are my BOO FOR REAL.”

In 2014, a NYC law established strict parameters detailing when DOC would honor an ICE request to detain an individual 48 hours beyond their scheduled release.

“As Members of Congress charged with overseeing federal immigration enforcement actions, we are incredibly

concerned with the relationship these e-mails reveal despite local laws that narrow the scope of when local law enforcement cooperation with ICE may occur,” the pols wrote.

“No New Yorker should be anxious about living their daily life in public and interacting with government agencies simply because of their immigration status. New York City’s sanctuary laws were enacted to protect immigrant New Yorkers from the terror inflicted on our communities by federal immigration enforcement and to ensure that every New Yorker could live their lives freely without fear,” said Taina Wagnac, senior manager of State and Local Policy at the New York Immigration Coalition. “However, recent evidence proves that NYC Department of Correction officers have chosen to act illegally by colluding with Immigration and Customs Enforcement with severe and harmful repercussions for our immigrant communities, including sowing fear and separating families. This collusion between local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement needs to cease immediately. It is time that New York City truly lived up to its promise of being a welcoming city for all who call it home.”

Resources can Help New Yorkers Save on Home Energy Bills

By Forum Sta

Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced the availability of resources to help New Yorkers save on their home energy bills. A second emergency bene t through the Home Energy Assistance Program is now available for eligible New Yorkers in danger of running out of heating fuel or having their utility service shut o . Additionally, the Department of State is sharing practical tips to help consumers reduce their utility bills.

HEAP, which is overseen by the O ce of Temporary and Disability Assistance, is federally funded and can help eligible New Yorkers heat and cool their homes. Normally, eligible households can receive one regular HEAP bene t each winter and could also be eligible for a single emergency HEAP bene t if they face an energy crisis. ose that have already received a regular and emergency bene t this winter will be able to apply for an additional emergency bene t, if they are facing a utility shut o or are running out of heating fuel and cannot a ord to replenish it.

e amount a household receives from HEAP depends on income, household size and how the home is heated. A family of four can earn up to $5,485 per month and still qualify for assistance. A needy household that heats with oil and quali es for a

regular HEAP bene t and two emergency bene ts could receive nearly $3,000 in total assistance this winter. Applications for emergency HEAP bene ts are accepted at local departments of social services in person or by telephone.

e Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is o ering the following tips to help consumers reduce energy costs and heating bills:

• Each degree you lower your thermostat can cut your fuel consumption by approximately 3 percent. Installing a programmable thermostat can automatically adjust the temperature based on your home, work and sleep schedule and provide an estimated cost savings of 10-20 percent on your monthly heating and cooling bills.

• Help your home to retain heat during cold weather by insulating your at-

tic and outside walls, sealing and insulating heating ducts, removing window air conditioners, wrapping or covering wall air conditioners and sealing any cracks around walls and windows.

• Conduct annual checkups to help ensure the e ciency of your system. Replace your furnace lters at least every three months to keep your equipment running e ciently and consider replacing the lters once a month during heavy use months such as the summer and winter. A dirty lter slows down air ow and makes your system work harder to keep you comfortable.

• Avoid heating or cooling an entire house when only using one or two rooms by shu ing o heat in any unused areas and closing vents in unused bedrooms. Use ceiling or portable oor fans in the rooms you are using to assist with heating and cooling.

• Move rugs and furniture away from heating vents and radiators. Blocked vents can disrupt air circulation and cause an imbalance in a home’s heating system. Placing heat resistant re ector panels between radiators and walls can help heat the room instead of the wall.

• Ask your home heating provider if they have any available bill assistance programs, pricing plans or other opportunities to be er manage your bill.

Photo Courtesy of Rep. Meng Congresswoman Meng said “it is so disturbing to learn of the pa ern of inappropriate communication between the Department of Correction and ICE that may have facilitated and expedited removals of immigrant New Yorkers.”

Photo Courtesy of Darren McGee/O ce of the Governor ere are resources available to New Yorkers to help them save on their home energy bills, Gov. Hochul noted this week.

City’s Fiscal Picture Improves Short Term, Significant

Risks Lie Ahead: DiNapoli

tives, according to a report released ursday by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.

DiNapoli’s o ce assumes that a number of the scal risks the city currently faces will continue, increasing the planned budget gap to about $8.9 billion in FY 2025 and $13.9 billion in FY 2027 (18 percent of city-fund revenues), even when adjusting for stronger revenue collections.

e city continues to face uncertainty over the national economy and its impact on nancial markets, its own lagging recovery and the costs associated with asylum seekers. ese scal risks remain di cult to quantify because they are not fully reected in current budget gures and are likely to increase the city’s budget gaps in the future.

By Forum Sta

e City’s $104.8 billion preliminary Fiscal Year 2024 budget has bene ed from be er-than-projected revenue collections, the reallocation of unused federal pandemic relief funds, and savings initia-

e city’s recent contract se lement with the District Council 37 union gives clarity to collective bargaining costs, which had been an area of budgetary risk in its initial nancial plan. If it is rati ed and sets a pa ern for other labor agreements, total labor costs would increase by $4.7 billion in FY 2027 and will likely be higher therea er when fully annualized.

e FY 2024 budget would continue to phase out federal pandemic aid, which is projected to decline from its peak of about $10 billion in FY 2022 to $2.4 billion in FY 2024. e city will likely have to provide its own funding for new or expanded pandemic-era services such as mental health programming, enhanced rental- and food-related income supports and access to legal counsel, if it intends on continuing those services. e mayor and City Council have also suggested new programs since the release of the January nancial plan that could create new scal cli s and require additional funding.

e city assumes budget gaps will reach $3.2 billion in FY 2025 and grow to nearly $6.5 billion in FY 2027. As a share of city fund revenues, the remaining out-year gaps projected by the city would average 6.3 percent, the highest level at this point in the budget cycle since FY 2012.

Other risks, in addition to the in ux of asylum seekers and collective bargaining costs, include higher-than-projected costs for social services, education and operating subsidies to the Metropolitan Trans -

portation Authority. ese scal concerns do not include the impact of the proposed state budget.

DiNapoli’s report notes growth forecasts for the nation’s economy, which are linked to the performance of the city’snancial sector, remain troublesome and numerous markers suggest a continued economic slowdown is likely nationally. e city gained jobs at a greater rate in 2022 than the country, but its unemployment rate still lags the nation (5.8 percent vs. 3.5 percent as of December).

If tax revenues do not exceed projections and other sources of funding are not made available to fund existing needs, the city may have to build on its recent costsavings e orts. Much of the savings in FY 2024 and on a recurring basis are associated with reducing head count. While these savings have helped the city’s scal picture, questions over the delivery of services have emerged. e city must take care to balance any additional savings made through staing changes with the risk of deteriorating core services and providing timely aid to those in need.

New Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy for United States Attorney's Offices

By Forum Staff

Damian Williams, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and chairman of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC), and Breon Peace, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and the chairman of the White Collar Fraud Subcommittee of the AGAC, announced the implementation of the new U.S. Attorney’s Offices’ Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy.

The policy, which is effective immediately, details the circumstances under which a company will be considered to have made a voluntary self-disclosure (VSD) of misconduct to a United States Attorney’s Office (USAO). The policy provides transparency and predictability to companies and the defense bar concerning the concrete benefits and potential outcomes in cases where companies voluntarily self-disclose misconduct, fully cooperate, and timely and appropriately remediate. The goal of the policy is to standardize how VSDs are defined and credited by USAOs nationwide, and to incentivize companies to maintain effective compliance programs capable of identifying misconduct, expeditiously and voluntarily disclose and remediate misconduct, and cooperate fully with the government in corporate criminal investigations.

The policy was developed pursuant to the Deputy Attorney General’s Sept. 15, 2022 memorandum, “Further Revisions to Corporate Criminal Enforcement Policies Following Discussions with Corporate Crime Advisory Group” (Monaco Memo), which directed each Department of Justice (DOJ) component to develop and publish a VSD policy.

Under the new VSD policy, a company is considered to have made a VSD if it becomes aware of misconduct by employees or agents before that misconduct is publicly reported or otherwise known to the

DOJ, and discloses all relevant facts known to the company about the misconduct to a USAO in a timely fashion prior to an imminent threat of disclosure or government investigation. A company that voluntarily self-discloses as defined in the policy and fully meets the other requirements of the policy, by—in the absence of any aggravating factor—fully cooperating and timely and appropriately remediating the criminal conduct (including agreeing to pay all disgorgement, forfeiture, and restitution resulting from the misconduct), will receive significant benefits, including that the USAO will not seek a guilty plea; may choose not to impose any criminal penalty, and in any event will not impose a criminal penalty that is greater than 50 percent below the low end of the United States Sentencing Guidelines

(USSG) fine range; and will not seek the imposition of an independent compliance monitor if the company demonstrates that it has implemented and tested an effective compliance program.

“The new Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy sets a nationwide standard for how U.S Attorney’s Offices will determine whether a company has made a voluntary self-disclosure, and makes transparent the specific, tangible benefits to a company for making a voluntary self-disclosure, fully cooperating, and remediating the criminal conduct,” Peace said. “As a result, no matter where in the country a company operates, it can rely on receiving the same treatment and benefits for voluntarily self-disclosing criminal conduct to a U.S. Attorney’s Office. We hope and expect that companies, as good corporate citizens, will take advantage of this new policy to report criminal misconduct by employees and agents when they become aware of it, so that individual wrongdoers can be held accountable. When they do, they will have far better and more predicable outcomes under this policy.”

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia/State Comptroller’s O ce State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli

Photo Courtesy of U.S. A orney’s O ce, Eastern District of New York “ e new Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy sets a nationwide standard for how U.S A orney’s O ces will determine whether a company has made a voluntary self-disclosure, and makes transparent the speci c, tangible bene ts to a company for making a voluntary self-disclosure, fully cooperating, and remediating the criminal conduct,” Brooklyn U.S. A orney Peace said.

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Notice of Formation of VSTOCKS

US LLC. Arts. of Org. led with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/16/2023.

O ce location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Registered Agents Inc., 418 Broadway, STE R, Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of Al-Barakah Properties LLC. Arts. of Org. led with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/17/23.

O ce location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 8740 165th St, Apt 4N, Jamaica, NY 11432. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of formation of 47TH STREET LLC. Arts of Org led with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 2/1/23.

O ce location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to: 22-45 47th St., Astoria, NY 11105. Purpose: any lawful act.

Notice of Formation of GLENDALE

75 PROPERTY, LLC. Arts. of Org. led with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/29/22. O ce location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 60 21 75th Ave., Glendale, NY 11385. Purpose: any lawful activities.

NOTICE OF FORMATION of limited liability company (LLC). Name: MJ-AN, LLC. Articles of Organization led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/24/2023. O ce location: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and address SSNY shall mail a copy of process is 143-07 Cherry Avenue, Flushing, NY 11355. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

NOTICE OF FORMATION of limited liability company (LLC). Name: MJ-AN, LLC. Articles of Organization led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/24/2023. O ce location: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and address SSNY shall mail a copy of process is 143-07 Cherry Avenue, Flushing, NY 11355. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

ACCU TE RELIABLE TIMELY BOOKKEEPING LLC Arts of Org. led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY)12/19/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to DEBITA SINGH, 1044 130TH AVE APT 4B, JAMAICA, NY, 11434, USA. General Purpose

Legal Notices

Notice of Formation of LRH Realty of Amsterdam LLC. Arts. of Org. led with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/04/23. O ce location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Paregt Singh, 11 Allen St., New Hyde Park, NY 11040. Purpose: any lawful activities.

NORTHERN 409 LLC. Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 01/31/23.

O ce: 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, 14449 Northern Boulevard, Flushing, NY 11354. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Russ & E e LLC, Arts of Org. led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 1/6/2023. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 6355 74th St., Middle Village, NY 11379.

General Purpose

UVP COMMUNICATIONS

LLC Arts. of Org. led with SSNY on 11/22/2022 O ce: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail to the LLC, 3418 NORTHERN BLVD. #B20, LONG ISLAND CITY, NY, 11101, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Notice of Formation of PRIYA LLC Arts. of Org. led with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/12/13. O ce location: Queens County. Princ. o ce of LLC: 179-36 Hillside Ave., Jamaica, NY 11432. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. o ce. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

J&J Maspeth Owner LLC. Arts. of Org. led with SSNY on 02/08/2023

O ce: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail to the LLC, 57-48 49th Place, Queens, NY 11378. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

MVP SECURITY LLC Arts. of Org. led with SSNY on 02/16/2023 O ce: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail to the MVP SECURITY LLC, 3119 32ND ST. APT 11, ASTORIA, NY, 11106, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

BRONTE NORTH LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/17/2023. 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, 58-41 63rd St., Maspeth, NY 11378. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Notice of Formation of NEXGENERENTAL INC LLC Arts. of Org. led with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/18/2023. O ce location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: ANDY YU, 68-65 136th Street, Unit B, Flushing, ny 11367, USA. Purpose: any lawful activity.

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