THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

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Legislation Penned by Area Pols Leads to Moment of Reflection in Public Schools on Sept. 11

By Michael V. Cusenza

Legislation authored years ago by area elected o cials will lead to a moment of silence on Monday—Sept. 11—in City public schools.

e bill, signed into law in 2019 by then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, was sponsored in the State Senate by Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Woodhaven) and in the Assembly by Assemblywoman Stacey Phe er Amato (D-Howard Beach). Since Cuomo signed the bill into law it has not been implement-

ed due to remote learning from COVID-19 or Sept. 11 falling on a weekend.

e law, which calls for the observance of Sept. 11 Remembrance Day, mandates a brief moment of silent re ection and appropriate discussion at the start of the school day on every Sept. 11 in statewide public schools. According to the language in the bill, this would provide students with the “opportunity for silent prayer or for silent re ection” on the anniversary day, Phe er Amato noted this week.

" e terrorist a ack had, and still has, a

deep impact on our state’s history and was felt by many residents in my district, and across our great state. ere are so many of us who su ered personal loss because of the a acks on the World Trade Center, along with the impact it le . As no student currently in K-12 was alive during the a ack, it is imperative that our public education system take the time to educate students on both the loss and heroism experienced on Sept. 11,” the assemblywoman said. “By mandating a brief moment of silent re ection every year on Sept. 11, we ensure that

future generations will be er understand this day and its place in our history.”

A er Cuomo signed the bill, Addabbo said the events of Sept. 11, 2001, “will be forever acknowledged by school students too young to have witnessed this lifechanging day.”

“Since 2001,” Addabbo added, “our country has been united through four simple words, ‘We will never forget,’ and with the governor signing this measure, we can ensure that all school children will continue to keep those words active in their hearts and minds.”

to educate students on both the loss and heroism experienced on Sept. 11,”

Ariola Blasts MTA over Several Issues Affecting District 32 Customers

By Michael V. Cusenza

City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (ROzone Park) took to Twitter on Tuesday to rip the Metropolitan Transportation Authority over a variety of issues affecting straphangers in the 32nd Council District.

Ariola used a ve-post fusillade to take the emba led agency to task. e posts have been read thousands of times, with one notching more than 16,000 views as of Wednesday a ernoon.

“Hey @MTA - can you explain why you guys would prefer the abandoned storefronts under your

ownership to be used as urinals instead of being profitable businesses?”

“Hey @MTA - any chance you can have your buses stop stacking up on Beach 116th Street and blocking tra c? You promised you would - still waiting on that.”

“Hey @MTA - any chance you can re -

move the bird feces from the abandoned storefronts on your properties throughout D32, especially on Beach 116th Street?”

“Hey @MTA - any chance your bus drivers can stop to pick up riders at the stop on 18th Road in Broad Channel? You guys moved the stop, and didn’t seem to inform your drivers of the change.”

“Hey @MTA - is it common practice for your assistant director of government and community relations to yell at and then hang up on an elected official? Because Lucille Songhai just did that.”

e last one is the post that rang up more than 16,000 views on its own. is isn’t the rst time Ariola has publicly blasted the authority. In December, the councilwoman lambasted MTA President of Subway and Bus Systems Richard Davey over remarks he made regarding fare beating.

“MTA President Richard Davey just said during City Hall testimony that 30-percent of bus riders are not paying their fares. Even this number seems low. Clearly, more enforcement needs to be done here,” Ariola said. “This seems like a problem to me.”

Photo Courtesy of Assemblywoman Phe er Amato

“As no student currently in K-12 was alive during the a ack, it is imperative that our public education system take the time

Assemblywoman Phe er Amato said.

Photo Courtesy of Google

e law mandates a brief moment of silent re ection

and

appropriate

discussion at the start of the school day on every

Sept. 11 in statewide public schools.

Photo Courtesy of Google

“Hey @MTA - any chance you can have your buses stop stacking up on Beach 116th Street and blocking tra c? You promised you would - still waiting on that,” Councilwoman Ariola wrote on Tuesday.

File Photo Ariola ripped the MTA over a variety of issues a ecting bus and subway customers in the 32nd Council District.

NYC Property Tax Bills Rise: DiNapoli

By Forum Sta

e COVID-19 pandemic has caused property tax disparity to worsen in New York City, driving housing costs higher for many, according to a report released on Wednesday by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.

Property tax disparities have been well documented for decades by advocates, fiscal monitors and the city, but the report found even when property values declined for many condos, co-ops and rental apartments due to the pandemic, property tax bills continued to rise. DiNapoli determined this was due in part to market volatility and aspects of how the city calculates property taxes.

New York City sets di erent tax rates based on class of property, including for single or multifamily homes with more than three units, the comptroller noted. In addition, co-ops and condos are generally not assessed based on market value driven by sales prices, but instead on the value of similar apartments, including rent stabilized units or those in a building receiving a tax exemption.

Market value increases are also limited by annual and ve-year caps that di er based on property type. As a result of these caps, a decline in market value on lower-valued properties does not necessarily result in a lower tax bill. Instead, lower-valued properties more o en bear a far greater tax burden than the city’s highest valued properties.

For example, during the Great Recession the median market value for family homes dropped by 14.3 percent, but the median tax bill increased by 32.5 percent. Similarly, during the pandemic, the median market value for multifamily properties declined by 2.7 percent but the median tax bill increased by 5.8 percent from fiscal years 2021 to 2023. For rentals, tax bills grew 9.6 percent in the same period, despite a market value decline of 0.3 percent.

DiNapoli’s report found these di erences were even more pronounced from scal years 2007 to 2024 as the gap in tax burden based on property value continued to widen. e median tax bill for the city’s most expensive family homes grew by 131 percent during this period, compared to 149 percent for the city’s least expensive homes.

Renters are also impacted by the City’s tax system even though they do not own their homes. While tenants do not pay property taxes directly, property taxes represent a large cost to the building owner which is often passed on to renters. During the pandemic, rental properties in the top 20th percentile saw a market value decline of 2 percent and tax bills rose by 2.1 percent, while the bottom 20th percentile saw the market value rise by 1.7 percent and tax bills go up by 11 percent.

Overall, the pandemic drove NYC’s residential property values up 11 percent since fiscal year 2021, but not in Manhattan, which is home to some of the city’s most expensive residential real estate. Market value increases were more concentrated in the outer boroughs in working-to-middle-class neighborhoods.

DiNapoli recommended that city and state leaders continue their efforts to address disparities in the levying of property taxes, which represent an outsized share of owner costs, especially for lower-income households. DiNapoli also suggested they consider:

• Accounting for how residential property taxes respond to economic disruption to avoid worsening existing issues.

• Revisiting the Advisory Commission on Property Tax Reform’s recommendations to reform the current tax system while maintaining the level of total tax collections.

• Working to address the city’s lack of affordable housing, including consideration for tax incentives to promote their construction and rehabilitation.

Photo Courtesy of Comptroller DiNapoli

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli

Addabbo Launches New Podcast Series ‘Where do we go from Here?’

By Forum Staff

An area elected official has decided to dip his toe in the podcast pool. State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (DWoodhaven) this week launched a new podcast series called “Where Do We Go from Here?”

According to Addabbo, the 15-minute shows will be available on his YouTube channel and each episode will feature a special guest and will tackle an important community issue.

In the premiere episode, Addabbo discusses the top 5 strategies to help students and parents prepare to go

back to school physically, emotionally and psychologically. His guest is Dr. Kristina Wong of the Forest Hills Psychology Group. Wong has extensive training and experience in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. She is also trained in SPACE treatment (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions).

At the end of each episode, Addabbo will ask his guest to answer, “Where Do We Go From Here?” as it relates to the topic, looking forward on how the community can make progress and devise solutions.

“I am optimistic that this new series of podcasts will inform, educate and entertain,” Addabbo said. “Over the coming months, I will seek to examine a wide variety of topics and issues. I believe these podcasts will allow me to have a closer connection with my constituents through this visual form of dialogue and I look forward to them joining me on the journey to answer the question ‘Where Do We Go from Here?’”

The first episode of Addabbo’s podcast is available at: https://youtu.be/ noTnvt7VV28.

File Photo

“I am optimistic that this new series of podcasts will inform, educate and entertain,” Sen. Addabbo said.

Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo e 15-minute episodes will be available on Sen. Addabbo’s YouTube channel.

MTA Unveils Campaign to Combat Subway Surfing

YOU CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW: THE ABC'S OF GLAUCOMA

Glaucoma is an eye disease that can damage the optic nerve. It is the optic nerve that supplies visual information from your brain directly to your eyes.

e most common form of this disease is primary open-angle glaucoma, which is especially dangerous because it has no symptoms except gradual vision loss. For this reason it is imperative that you do yearly comprehensive eye exams so that vision changes can be detected and moni¬tored.

Acute-angle closure glaucoma, is a medical emergency. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should see your doctor immediately:

Severe eye pain accompanied by nau¬sea, vomiting, redness in the eye, sudden vision disturbances including blurred vi¬sion, and or seeing colored rings around lights.

there is a blockage or partial obstruction, the pressure in your eye may increase. is can lead to damage of the optic nerve and loss of sight.

While glaucoma is the second lead¬ing cause of blindness in the world, no one knows what causes the increase of pressure (IOP) in the eyes. IOP can be caused by dilating eye drops, medications like corticosteroids, high blood pressure or reduced blood ow to the optic nerve. People 60 and over are at increased risk and for African-Americans the risk grows a er 40. Patients with diabetes and high blood pressure and heart disease also have an increased risk of developing glaucoma.

By Forum Sta

Governor Kathy Hochul, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday unveiled a new public information campaign against subway sur ng in partnership with the City Police Department, City Public Schools, and the City Department of Youth & Community Development.

e new campaign centers around and is designed and spoken by New York City teenagers – pu ing the youth voice front and center in a peer-to-peer e ort to deter this dangerous behavior among young people.

e NYPD is contributing to the campaign by deploying o cers to stations on outdoor elevated lines and by conducting home visits with youths who have been observed riding outside of trains.

In 2023, there have been ve fatalities due to suspected subway sur ng, compared to ve total fatalities between 2018 and 2022. e MTA has documented over 450 instances of people riding outside of trains between January and June in 2023.

e campaign announcement was made outside the 33 St–Rawson St 7 line subway station – the site of a tragic incident on ursday, June 29, in which a 14-year-old from Brooklyn died a er falling while attempting to ride on top a 7 train. e 7 line experiences the most subway sur ng incidents in the transit system.

MTA data shows that dangerous riding outside of subway trains occurs predominantly in the a ernoons during warmer months when school is in session, indicating that it has essentially become a dangerous form of a er-school activity. In anticipation of an uptick in incidents in September upon the start of the new school year, Hochul, Adams, the MTA and City partners on Tuesday launched a multi-layered campaign, “Subway Sur ng Kills - Ride Inside, Stay Alive,” across various communication platforms, to include

public service announcements in stations recorded by students; digital signage across stations; student-created graphics and animations; posters and banners across stations and distributed in schools; physical palm cards distributed at schools and in stations; school swag including planners, pens and pencils, notepads and sticky notes; social media posts across platforms including TikTok, Instagram and YouTube in the form of posts, reels/shorts and inuencer collaborations; distribution of new student MetroCards accompanied by a “Ride Inside, Stay Alive” palm card, and anti-sur ng messages on the back of some MetroCards for sale in station MetroCard vending machines.

e MTA partnered with NYC Public Schools and DYCD to identify students from schools across the city who created the new campaign. Students from the High School of Art & Design in Manha an created graphics, animations and artwork that will be seen throughout the subway system and on social media.

A group of middle school and high school students from the Academy of American Studies in Long Island City, the High School of Art and Design in Manhattan, IS 318 in Brooklyn, and DYCD summer programs went to MTA headquarters last month to record announcements explaining the dangers of riding outside of trains. Eight announcements, recorded in both English and Spanish, will be heard throughout the transit system beginning this week.

Because teenagers frequently post videos of themselves sur ng to social media, the MTA has been asking that social media companies including Meta, Google and TikTok reduce access to these videos. Since this past spring the social media companies have removed more than 3,000 videos and photos showing subway sur ng. ose companies also are making space on their platforms available to help distribute the new messaging campaign.

Glaucoma can be caused by uid buildup in the channels of your iris or cornea. Normally, a clear uid, known as aqueous humor, passes through these channels and lls the front part of the eye. If however,

Your pharmacist can be an e ective partner in the treatment of glaucoma by monitoring adherence, counseling pa¬tients on the proper use of eyedrops, and recommending preservative-free or com¬bination products when problems arise. Take advantage of our knowledge and willingness to help!

Until next week…

For your family’s prescription needs, please call CROSS BAY CHEMIST at 718-659-9500 or 718-880-1644 157-02 Cross Bay Blvd. in Howard Beach: Mon-Fri 9am-9pm. Sat-Sun 9am-7pm. or 96-05 101st Ave. in Ozone Park: Mon-Sat 9am-7pm. Sunday: Closed.

Ariola, Area Patrol Partner to Resolve Mailbox Issue

City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) worked with the City Line Ozone Park Civilian Patrol this week to resolve a potentially calamitous postal problem.

“Vigilance and partnership at its best! Our vigilant volunteers spo ed an open mail box in the community; with the collaboration of Councilwoman Joann Ariola’s o ce, the issue was swi ly resolved,” members of the patrol wrote on Twi er on Monday. “Always monitor your mail, and for added security, use the local post o ce.”

Ariola thanked the civic squad “for being such amazing community partners.”

Line

Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph

Photo Courtesy of Marc Hermann/MTA e new campaign to combat subway sur ng was unveiled this week outside the 33rd St-Rawson St 7 line subway station.

Photo Courtesy of City

Ozone Park Civilian Patrol

Hochul Highlights Availability of Narcan at NY Pharmacies

“The opioid and overdose epidemic has impacted far too many New Yorkers,” Hochul said. “Alongside harm reduction, preventive, and treatment support programs, the expanded availability of Narcan has saved lives throughout New York State, and over-the-counter accessibility will save even more. We will continue to focus State resources towards addressing the overdose epidemic effectively and compassionately.”

ham from the New York State O ce of Addiction Services and Supports and Dr. James McDonald from the New York State Department of Health, the multi-agency group will provide recommendations to increase programmatic coordination, analyze the success of existing state programs, and explore additional solutions to the opioid crisis.

By Forum Sta

Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday highlighted the availability of naloxone, known widely by the commercial brand name Narcan, a medication that can reverse the e ects of a drug overdose from heroin, fentanyl and prescription opioids, at New York State pharmacies.

Major pharmacies such as Walgreens, CVS, Walmart and Rite Aid are expected to begin carrying the medica -

tion both online and in stores beginning this month. The drug has been available for usage by non-medical personnel to prevent overdoses in New York State since 2006, and has been easier to obtain in NY since August 2022 due to a statewide pharmacy standing order. While it is likely that not all naloxone administrations are reported, over 35,000 naloxone administrations have been reported to the NYSDOH this time.

This summer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that there were an estimated 110,000 fatalities from drug overdoses, numbers consistent with rises in recent years. As The Forum reported last week, New York State is receiving more than $2 billion through various settlement agreements with opioid manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies that were secured by Attorney General Letitia James. A portion of the funding from settlements go directly to municipalities, with the remainder deposited into a dedicated fund to support prevention, treatment, harm reduction and recovery efforts to address the ongoing opioid epidemic, managed through the Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board.

Additionally, New York State’s Interagency Task Force on Overdose Prevention recently held their rst meeting. Led by Commissioners Dr. Chinazo Cunning-

“We continue to see unprecedented numbers of overdose deaths throughout New York State and the rest of the country. We need to do everything we can to reverse this alarming trend,” said State O ce of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said, Naloxone has already prevented thousands of deaths across New York State and increased access to this safe and e ective medication will help save even more lives. Greater availability of Naloxone is vital to our ongoing e orts to support those impacted by addiction.”

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald added, “Opioid use disorder is a complex and common disease that affects many New Yorkers. The easy availability of naloxone (Narcan) now without a prescription, along with treatment programs, will help to save lives. Governor Hochul, the State Health Department, and I will continue to highlight and address this critical issue with compassion and determination.”

State Overdose Prevention Task Force Holds First Meeting

By Forum Sta

Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced the kicko meeting for the Interagency Task Force on Overdose Prevention.

Hochul announced the creation of the task force in the 2023 State of the State address. Chaired by Commissioners Dr. Chinazo Cunningham from the State Of-

ce of Addiction Services and Supports (OASES) and Dr. James McDonald from the State Department of Health, the group includes experts across seventeen state agencies and o ces working collaboratively to combat the overdose epidemic in New York State.

e Interagency Task Force on Overdose Prevention will review the broad issue areas of illegal substance use prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction with a ention to how substance users interact with education, healthcare, criminal justice, housing, and other social service entities. e group will produce a report of their ndings in Fall 2023. e mission of the task force will be to increase programmatic coordination, analyze the success of existing state programs, and explore additional solutions to this crisis.

e Interagency Task Force on Overdose Prevention includes the below members:

Chair - OASAS: Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham

Chair - DOH: Commissioner James McDonald

OMH: Moira Tashjian, Executive Deputy Commissioner

OCFS: Acting Commissioner Suzanne Miles-Gustave

OTDA: Valerie T. Figueroa, Deputy Commissioner, Employment and Income Support Programs

DVS: Dr. Lessie Branch, Special Assistant for Community Engagement

SOFA: Charlie Williams, Assistant Director for Healthy Aging and Longevity

ESD: Maria Mitchell, Senior Vice President, Life Sciences

DCJS: Joseph Popcun, Executive Deputy Commissioner

DFS: Eamon Rock, Deputy Superintendent for Pharmacy Bene ts

DOCCS: Dr. Carol Moores, Deputy Commissioner and Chief Medical O cer

SCOC: Ellen B. Tryon, RN, MAT Unit Supervisor

DHSES: Luci Labriola-Cu e, Deputy State Fire Administrator

SED: Kathleen DeCataldo, Senior Advisor for Student Support Services

State Police: Captain James Browne, FC BCI

SUNY: Valerie Grey, Senior Vice Chancellor & Chief Hospital and Healthcare Operations O cer

CUNY: Pedro Mateu Gelabert, Associate Professor Community Health and Social Sciences

New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said,

“ e opioid crisis is not just a public health issue - it is a crisis of humanity that touches every corner of the State. Governor Hochul’s new Task Force on Overdose Prevention brings all facets of state government together to identify areas for greater collaboration and make speci c recommendations on treatment, recovery, and harm reduction programs to expand access to care and save more lives.”

New York State O ce of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner and Task Force on Overdose Prevention Chair Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said, “We continue to experience the worst overdose crisis in history. Governor Hochul’s InterAgency Overdose Epidemic Task Force will generate greater collaboration through education, cross training, and sharing of resources to help enhance the State’s e orts to save lives. Bringing so many agencies together to discuss their roles in addressing the epidemic is critically important.”

e Interagency Task Force on Overdose Prevention will hold two public listening sessions to be held in Albany and Staten Island.

Members of the public who wish to submit public comment to the task force should email OverdoseTaskForce@oasas. ny.gov.

Photo Courtesy of Medical Warehouse Naloxone, known widely by the commercial brand name Narcan, is a medication that can reverse the e ects of a drug overdose om heroin, fentanyl and prescription opioids.

Photo Courtesy of Mike Groll/O ce of the Governor Governor Hochul announced the creation of the task force in the 2023 State of the State address.

Mayor, NYPD Announce New Approach to Handling Protests

By Forum Staff

The City Police Department has implemented new practices to better address the challenges that arise during spontaneous protests, Mayor Eric Adams, City Corporation Counsel Sylvia Hinds-Radix, and City Police Commissioner Edward Caban announced on Tuesday.

The new four-tiered approach to handling protests is codified in a legal agreement stemming from lawsuits filed against the City of New York during the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020.

Each tier defines NYPD protocols and practices for engaging with protesters based on conditions on the ground. The approach allows the NYPD to move progressively from Tier 1 to Tier 4 or begin its strategic response at Tier 3 if necessary.

• Tier 1 is used for a peaceful protest. Under Tier 1, the NYPD will temporarily accommodate peaceful protests passing through the streets or sidewalks. Community affairs officers can liaise with the protesters while the NYPD retains the ability to use patrol officers to enforce traffic laws and direct crowds.

• Tier 2 is used when the NYPD believes that illegal activity may be about to occur or that the protest is going to block critical infrastructure. The NYPD can station additional officers, including the SRG, in the vicinity of the protest in anticipation of the need for law enforcement intervention.

• Tier 3 takes effect once there is probable cause that an individual has committed a crime. The NYPD will deploy enough of -

ficers to address the individuals breaking the law. Specialized units, such as the SRG, may be deployed as necessary in this tier.

• Tier 4 commences when the protest must end. It is activated when either (1) protesters are trying to enter or blocking entry to sensitive locations or (2) crimes are so widespread that de-escalation and/or targeted enforcement has not worked or cannot work. In this tier, the only viable option is

to end the protest. Before ending the protest, the NYPD must issue dispersal orders to warn the crowd, point out exit points, and identify a location where a protest could continue if feasible.

Under the agreement, the NYPD will adopt training procedures for the new tiered approach. After that, a collaborative committee will be formed consisting of attorneys for the plaintiffs (including the Office of the New York Attorney General), as well as the New York City Department of Law, the NYPD, police unions, and the New York City Department of Investigation (DOI), which will serve as chair of the committee.

The committee will meet over three years on a regular basis to review the NYPD’s implementation of the terms of the agreement, including the effectiveness of the tiered approach in practice. DOI will review 12 protests — 10 chosen by the plaintiffs and two by the defendants — and file periodic progress reports with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, where the suits were originally filed. DOI will also issue reports at 18 months and 30 months, as well as a final report at month 36.

Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography O ce Mayor Adams (l. to r.) and City Police Commissioner Edward Caban made the announcement this week.

Brothers Charged with Assaulting Off-Duty NYPD Cop in Elmhurst

By Forum Sta

Queens District A orney Melinda Katz announced that Shawn Rivera and Edwin Rivera were charged on Friday in an a ack on an o -duty police o cer a er a tra c dispute in Elmhurst.

Shawn Rivera, 27, and Edwin Rivera, 32, both of Woodside, were charged with assault in the rst degree, assault on a peace or police o cer, two counts of a empted criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, three counts of assault in the second degree and strangulation in the second degree. Shawn Rivera was additionally charged with criminal mischief in the third degree.

According to the charges:

On Aug. 30, at approximately 12:50 p.m., off-duty NYPD Officer Christopher Campos drove his car on 70th Street towards Queens Boulevard around a white Chrysler Pacifica that was partially parked on the sidewalk and partially blocking the street. As he drove by, the Pacifica accelerated toward his car, nearly hitting it.

Campos continued driving along 70th Street, into the intersection with Queens Boulevard, when he heard what sounded like something hit the rear of his car. Campos stopped and reversed his car in the intersection, in the direction of the Chrysler Paci ca to see what had happened.

He then saw Shawn Rivera run toward his car. Shawn Rivera then punched the back window of the car, shattering the glass.

Campos got out of his car and identi ed himself as a police o cer while drawing his rearm. He gave multiple commands to Shawn Rivera to get on the ground so he could arrest him.

While Campos was a empting to place Shawn Rivera under arrest, Edwin Rivera intervened and the brothers pushed the o cer to the ground to prevent him from making the arrest. Edwin Rivera then put his arms around Campos’ neck and

squeezed, causing the o cer to fall to the ground.

As Campos tried to stand up, the brothers grabbed him and pushed him, preventing him from ge ing up. Edwin Rivera tried to take Campos’ gun while Shawn Rivera put his arm around the o cer’s neck and squeezed, causing Campos to see black and white, have trouble breathing and begin to lose consciousness.

During the struggle, and while Edwin Rivera tried to take his gun, Campos fired one round, striking himself in the leg and also hitting Edwin Rivera’s hand. Campos was taken to Elmhurst

Hospital where he underwent surgery to his knee.

“We will not allow our streets to devolve into the Wild West. The rule of law and the officers who enforce it must be respected,” Katz said. “After clearly identifying himself as a police officer, this off-duty cop was attacked while trying to make an arrest and the charges reflect the seriousness of the assault against him.”

If convicted, Shawn and Edwin Rivera each face up to 25 years in prison.

LI Man Charged in Shooting Death outside Borough Nightclub

By Forum Sta

Queens District A orney Melinda Katz announced that Christopher King was arraigned on Friday on an indictment charging him with murder in connection with the April shooting death of 23-yearold Jevaughn Jeminson outside the Pure Lounge nightclub in St. Albans.

King, 31, of Elmont, was arraigned on an indictment charging him with murder in the second degree, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree and reckless endangerment in the rst degree.

He is accused of acting with an accomplice.

According to the charges:

On April 8, at approximately 1:56 a.m., King and a companion entered Pure Lounge, at 126-19 Merrick Blvd. Video surveillance shows that King was frisked and allowed to enter the club. e second man was frisked by security and turned away a er guards discovered he had a gun. He le brie y then returned, was searched a second time and allowed entry into the nightclub.

At approximately 2:06 a.m., Jeminson, of North Lauderdale, Fla., exited Pure

Lounge and walked approximately 20 feet to the intersection of Merrick Boulevard and Selover Avenue. King and the second man exited the club shortly a erward, following Jeminson to the intersection.

Video surveillance shows that King walked to the middle of Selover Avenue and took a gun from his clothing. The second man briefly exchanged words with Jeminson, pulled a gun from his sweatshirt, pointed it at Jeminson’s face and fired.

Jeminson ran around the corner while the two men chased him, each ring numerous times. Jeminson fell to the ground

a er sustaining multiple gunshot wounds. King’s companion walked up to Jeminson and red multiple shots as he stood over the wounded man. He then walked away, stopped and returned to re several more rounds into Jeminson’s body.

A er both men red a combined 20 rounds, they ran to the corner of 177th Street and 129th Avenue, entered a parked BMW sedan and drove away.

Jeminson was taken to a local hospital where he died, having sustained four gunshots to the abdomen, two to the head, one to the face, one to the upper chest, one to the arm, and four to the back.

At an address for King in Hempstead where a search warrant was executed, police found in the garage the BMW in which the two men had driven away from the crime scene.

King was arrested in Georgia on Aug. 16 and extradited to New York.

“More senseless gun violence, more tragedy, another young life cut short,” Katz said. “It is why we cannot relent in our ght against illegal guns and why we must continue to do all that we can to get lethal rearms and the criminals who use them o of our streets.”

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

Photo Courtesy of DA Katz “ e rule of law and the o cers who enforce it must be respected,” DA Katz said.

Photo Courtesy of Google

e incident took place near the intersection of Queens Boulevard and 70th Street.

Photo Courtesy of Google e two alleged killers followed the victim as he le Club Pure.

Photo Courtesy of Google

A er both men allegedly red a combined 20 rounds, they ran to the corner of 177th Street and 129th Avenue, entered a parked BMW sedan and drove away.

Husband Cops to Mowing Down Wife with SUV, Stabbing Her

By Forum Sta

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Stephen Giraldo pleaded guilty on Tuesday to attempted murder for slamming into his wife with his SUV and then stabbing her in the presence of the couple’s three children, who witnessed the assault as passengers in their father’s car.

Their mother survived, but has not regained consciousness since the December 2022 attack and remains under care.

Giraldo, 36, of Jamaica, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to attempted murder before Queens Supreme Court Justice Michael Yavinsky who is expected to sentence the defendant to 25 years in prison on Oct. 6.

According to the charges:

On Dec. 27, 2022, at approximately

5:20 a.m. Giraldo was in a white Ford Explorer outside the residence of his estranged wife, 41-year-old Sophia Giraldo, to drop off the couple’s three children, ages 11, 9, and 6. Video surveillance shows Giraldo get out of the car to move a trash bag that was blocking it and then get back into the vehicle. At the same time, Sophia Giraldo walked out of her residence and in front of the car. Giraldo told the children to “Keep your seatbelt on,” then intentionally drove the SUV directly into his wife.

After colliding with the victim, the car turned onto its side. Giraldo crawled over

his son in the front passenger seat and out of the vehicle’s window and then stabbed his wife with a knife.

The victim suffered severe neurological damage, broken bones in her leg and a stab wound that punctured her liver.

“The horrifying brutality of the attack, and the fact that it was committed in full view of the victim’s three young children, stirred outrage and heartbreak across the city,” Katz said. “We welcome the guilty plea and seeing a violent, dangerous man go to prison, but today’s outcome does not remedy the immense pain and lifelong suffering the defendant caused.”

Hochul Touts Progress in Increasing Subway Accessibility

By Forum Sta

Governor Kathy Hochul and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Thursday celebrated the accelerated pace of completion of accessibility projects across the New York City subway system with the opening of another fully accessible station, Grand St L station in Williamsburg, Brooklyn – the fourth across the transit system in 2023. The opening followed a summer in which significant progress was made on accessibility improvements. In July, the MTA marked Disability Pride Month with the opening of three fully accessible stations: Court Square G station in Long Island City, Dyckman St 1 station in Upper Manhattan, and 8 Av N station in Brooklyn.

According to the agency, the pace in which the MTA is awarding contracts for accessible projects is five times what it was before 2020. The MTA has awarded contracts for 13 stations in 2020, 10 stations in 2021, 13 stations in 2022, and previously announced its plan to award contracts for 17 stations by the end of the year.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when ridership significantly decreased, the MTA prioritized expanding accessibility improvements in the subway by completing 15 accessibility projects. Following today's announcement, there

are 142 accessible stations and 30 stations in construction for accessibility upgrades, eight of which are expected to be complete by the end of 2023. Those stations are:

• 181 St A line

• Tremont Av B, D

• E 149 St 6

• Lorimer St L

• Metropolitan Av G

• 7 Av F, G

• Beach 67 St A

• New Dorp SIR

e Grand St L station accessibility project was funded by a grant provided by the Federal Transit Administration and completed as part of a design-build package of eight stations throughout the subway system, the rst such bundle undertaken by MTA Construction & Development to deliver accessibility upgrades be er, faster, and cheaper. e remaining stations from that bundle are projected to open later this year.

The 2020-2024 MTA Capital Plan includes a historic investment of $5.2

billion to make 67 subway stations ADA accessible, more than any capital plan in the MTA’s history and more than the last three capital plans combined. In addition, the Authority is delivering accessibility projects at an unprecedented pace, completing 21 ADA stations since 2020, double the number of ADA stations completed in the previous six years.

In July, the MTA also began rolling out innovative new wayfinding features across 11 subway stations and 24 stops along the M60 bus route in Manhattan. These tools include:

• Floor decals on subway platforms that indicate accessible boarding areas;

• Tactile subway line maps for customers with visual disabilities;

• NaviLens wayfinding signage. NaviLens is an app that uses unique codes, similar to QR codes, to provide audio and visual wayfinding guidance and arrival status information, in upwards of 40 languages. The app was tested in 2019 at Jay St-MetroTech station and on the M23 bus route.

“When it comes to accessibility, the MTA is delivering on an unprecedented commitment—both in terms of dollars or number of stations—and we are going to keep going at the same pace and level of investment until we achieve full accessibility,” MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber said.

Photo Courtesy of DA Katz

A er colliding with the victim, the car turned onto its side. Giraldo crawled over his son in the ont passenger seat and out of the vehicle’s window and then stabbed his wife with a knife.

File Photo

“We welcome the guilty plea and seeing a violent, dangerous man go to prison, but today’s outcome does not remedy the immense pain and lifelong su ering the defendant caused,” DA Katz said.

Photo Courtesy of MTA

In July, the MTA celebrated the opening of the fully accessible Court Square G station in Long Island City.

Notice of Formation, LIFE’S LIGHT CORNERSTONE THE PY LCSW

P.L.L.C. Art. of Org. were led with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 09/27/2021 O ce Location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the PLLC, 109-08 201ST STREET, SAINT ALBANS, NY 11412, USA. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation, Excel Together

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

AJDM Jackson Retail LLC, Arts of Org. led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 6/28/2023. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 261 5th Ave., New York, NY 10016. General Purpose

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Notice of formation of TNC EVENT RENTALS LLC Articles of Organization led with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) 03/21/2023

O ce in QUEENS Co. SSNY designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served against the LLC to TNC EVENT RENTALS 144-15 123RD AVENUE, JAMAICA, NY, 11436, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose

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