SAFE CITY SAFE STREETS 2020
A message from the Chamber December 17, 2020 Welcome Friends, The Greenwich Village Chelsea Chamber of Commerce would like to thank you for coming to our 17th Safe City Safe Streets event. For 17 years, we have been recognizing officers for their professionalism and commitment. Their bravery shall never go unnoticed and unappreciated, and therefore, this community tradition must continue one way or another. To that end, this year, we have extended our recognition and gratitude to other members of the community – our healthcare workers. These amazing individuals have equally risked everything in the name of duty and professionalism as they care for the critically ill. Safe City Safe Streets does not only memorialize and celebrate the commitment and professionalism of our heroes, but this tradition amplifies our shared responsibility in maintaining the well-being and quality of life of our communities and residents. Our local businesses, our local institutions, our community groups, our neighbors and everything that belongs to our communities make up a holistic ecosystem. The Police Department and healthcare workers are foundations of that ecosystem. We send a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you for your devoted and courageous service. We are here for you. The chamber wishes you and your families happy holidays and a happy new year. In awe and gratitude,
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AndrĂŠs Pazmino Board President
SAFE CITY SAFE STREETS 2020
Maria Diaz Executive Director
Program Welcome remarks Andrés Pazmino & Maria Diaz Key Note Speaker NYPD Commissioner Dermot F. Shea Awards Ceremony Maria Diaz, Executive Director GVCCC Precinct Sponsors: 5th precinct
Police Officer Max Cheung
6th Precinct
Police Officer Nolan Connor
9th Precinct
Police Officer Omar Elsayed
10th Precinct
Police Officer Paul Kennedy
13th Precinct
Police Officer Samantha Williams
Midtown South Precinct
Police Officer Gerard Collins Police Officer Sean Malone
Healthcare workers honored from Lenox Health Greenwich Village: Dr. Alexander Hellinger Dr. Anjali Bharati Yangchen “YC” Gyatotsang BSN RN
Closing Remarks Joshua M. Rivera Director, Regional and Manhattan Public Affairs at Con Edison The Greenwich Village Chelsea Chamber of Commerce
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Keynote Speaker Bio
Dermot Shea was appointed the 44th police commissioner of the City of New York by Mayor Bill de Blasio in December 2019. He previously served as the Chief of Detectives, the Chief of Crime Control Strategies, and the Deputy Commissioner of Operations. He was instrumental in developing the NYPD’s precision policing methods used to identify, investigate, and arrest the relatively small percentage of offenders responsible for much of the city’s crime and violence. Hinging on the NYPD’s Neighborhood Policing crime-fighting philosophy, these highly-focused enforcement efforts apply intensive analysis to individual cases and patterns, and continue to push violence and disorder in New York City down past historically-low levels, while simultaneously reducing streetstops, arrests, and incarceration. Widely experienced in both the patrol and the investigative sides of the department, Commissioner Shea is a hands-on police practitioner and dedicated police reformer. He speaks with urgency about the NYPD working in close partnership with all residents, community-based groups, city agencies, and others, on many fronts, with a special focus on helping young people steer clear of a first act of criminal behavior. Dermot Shea received the Ellis Island award in 2019. He is also the recipient of the Police Executive Research Forum’s Gary P. Hayes Award, given annually to emerging police leaders who create innovative ways to achieve goals.
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SAFE CITY SAFE STREETS 2020
OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Fifth Precinct Honoree: Police Officer Max Cheung Appointed to the NYPD in July 2015, Police Officer Cheung has proven to be an invaluable asset to the crime prevention and law enforcement efforts of the 5th Precinct. In 2020 alone he affected twenty-four arrests, the majority of which directly led to significant crime decreases throughout the command. Max’s efforts led to the apprehension of six pattern perpetrators, all of whom were responsible for significant amounts of crime throughout the precinct and borough. Included in this were one pattern robber and five predicate burglars. Additionally, Officer Cheung’s keen eye for crime led to the arrests of two felony assaults and a repeat graffiti offender. Working the overnight tour, Max Cheung’s dedication ensures that members of the 5th precinct community can sleep soundly at night knowing that people like him are out there searching for the individuals who drive crime throughout the city. Over the course of his five years, Officer Cheung has amassed over 200 arrests, over 25% of which have been for felony offenses.
The Greenwich Village Chelsea Chamber of Commerce
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OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Sixth Precinct Honoree: Police Officer Nolan Connor Throughout his career as Police Officer, Nolan Connor has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the community, his co-workers, and the department. Police Officer Nolan Connor joined the Police Department to follow in the footsteps of his father who retired as a Sergeant in 1993. Police Officer Connor was sworn into the New York City Police Department on July 5, 2017. Following the successful completion of the New York City Police Academy, where he graduated in the top ten percent of his class, he was assigned to the Sixth Precinct in January of 2018. In recognition of his dedication to the community he serves, as well as the members of the 6th Precinct, Officer Connor was assigned to the Sixth Precinct Neighborhood Coordination Team in December of 2019 where he continues to serve with distinction. During the year 2020, Officer Connor has successfully addressed numerous issues of importance concerning the community he serves. In his almost three and a half years, Officer Connor has affected 103 arrests, 49 of them in 2020 alone. He has proven to be highly intelligent, self-motivating, and deeply compassionate. In the past year, Officer Connor has made significant contributions to the improvement of quality of life and the reduction of overall crime within the confines of the Sixth Precinct. Officer Connor was also instrumental in the apprehension of an individual who was wanted in regards to an attempted felony assault on one of our local merchants. Officer Connor was contacted by a community member who provided him with a photograph and video of an incident in which a perpetrator attempted to strike a local merchant about the head with a golf club. Having recognized the perpetrator depicted, he was able to successfully initiate an apprehension plan based on his previous experiences with the individual. On September 15, 2020, Officer Connor and his partner apprehended the perpetrator without further incident. Furthermore, on August 29, 2020, Police Officer Connor was integral in the closing of a burglary pattern after he and his partner apprehend a burglar in the commission of the act. Following further investigation, it was determined that the same perpetrator was wanted for two previous burglaries. Finally, on September 28, 2020, Officer Connor was an essential part of apprehending a perpetrator who committed multiple robberies within minutes of each other. Officer Connor was able to apprehend the perpetrator following a foot pursuit and a brief struggle. In recognition of his crime-fighting efforts, while protecting the residents and visitors of Greenwich Village, Police Officer Connor is an excellent choice for the Sixth Precinct Officer of the Year.
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SAFE CITY SAFE STREETS 2020
OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Ninth Precinct Honoree: Sergeant Omar Elsayed Sgt Elsayed has been a member of the 9th Pct since December of 2018. He was initially on patrol but soon after, was asked to become the Anti-Crime supervisor. A transition that was smooth for someone like Sgt Elsayed, as he exhibited a consistent desire to work and eagerness to perform at peak levels. He proved to be enthusiastic to learn and improve upon his skill sets in order to portray and share them with his team, coworkers and subordinates. Sgt Elsayed’s personal drive and initiative set him apart from many supervisors; from recognizing people on wanted posters and effecting pick up arrests to materializing them into search warrants. All of which did not go unnoticed as he was then chosen to become the Field Intelligence Team Sergeant five months later. Sgt Elsayed has proven assertive in this role as well, and has shown personal initiative on a daily basis. He is always focused on tasks and goals which he has set forth for himself as well as his team. This willingness and desire to work has been shown time and again through the cultivation of numerous successful search warrants which have resulted in numerous guns and lethal drugs being removed from the streets of the 9th Pct. Due to Sgt Elsayed’s diligence and assertive work ethic he has been chosen to receive the Officer of the Year Award from the GVCCC.
The Greenwich Village Chelsea Chamber of Commerce
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OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Tenth Precinct Honoree: Police Officer Paul Kennedy Paul Thomas Kennedy Jr was born with a deep-rooted passion, something many First Responders understand. The passion to serve the community, lead others during trying moments and to embrace comradery ultimately led Paul to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a Police Officer in 2008. Although initially being assigned to the Transit Bureau for his first five years of service, Paul made his home within the Tenth Precinct. His love for law enforcement made him an effective crime fighter and masterful problem solver. Paul quickly became a close and respected friend to all who surrounded him. During his time, Paul revealed his health complications surrounding Diabetes. He entrusted others with the most basic and personal information, a quality that officers embraced. Throughout the Corona Virus Pandemic, his commitment never wavered, donning his Police Uniform with honor. Paul continuously entered the Precinct threshold with the same passion he graduated with. Tragically, Paul passed away on August 4, 2020, due to health complications. Paul is a true inspiration to all members of the Tenth Precinct, an incredible father, family member, and of course, Police Officer. He answered the call of duty right until the end, which undoubtedly makes Paul Thomas Kennedy Jr this year’s Police Officer of the Year for the Tenth Precinct.
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SAFE CITY SAFE STREETS 2020
OFFICERS OF THE YEAR
Midtown South Precinct Honorees: Police Officers Gerard Collins & Sean Malone Police Officer Gerard Collins and Police Officer Sean Malone are the definitions of the “Real Police”. These officers show up early and always stay to help younger officers. They are mentors and leaders amongst their peers. Supervisors look to these officers for advice and guidance. These officers combined have almost 500 arrests besides responding to radio runs and emergencies as a Steady Sector within the command. These officers are the cops people talk about from the ’80s, who know the neighborhood, know the people, and know the criminals. These two officers alone in 2020 are responsible for (8) eight robbery arrests, (2) two stabbing arrests, (3) felonious assault arrests, (4) four burglary arrests, and (1) one grand larceny wallet snatch arrest, in live time. In addition to the arrests they have made they are also responsible for countless apprehensions of wanted criminals from wanted flyers and conferrals with the Midtown Precinct South Detective Squad. These officers are crime fighters, community liaisons, Street Psychologists, and so much more. They are once again the definition and role model idea of what every police officer should strive to be. The Commanding Officer of Midtown Precinct South, Robert W. O’Hare is pleased to recommend Police Officers Collins and Malone for this prestigious award.
The Greenwich Village Chelsea Chamber of Commerce
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OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Thirteenth Precinct Honoree: Police Officer Samantha Williams Officer Samantha Williams grew up in Brooklyn watching her Uncle, 1st Grade Detective, Mark Morale, solve cases and catch the bad guys while she studied Criminal Justice hoping that she too, one day could be a part of the Finest Police Department in the Country. Samantha was sworn into the New York City Police Department on January 9, 2013. She wanted to be just like her Uncle Mark - steadfast, dedicated and ultimately make a difference in her community. Samantha Williams performed her patrol duties in the Thirteenth Precinct for 5 years before earning her Youth Officer role. She decided this new position would be her way of bridging the gap between police and the community she served. Her biggest tool by far, to bridge that gap has been sports through the Police Athletic League. Utilizing sports with kids develops confidence, builds character, and helps guide them to their future careers. Channeling children’s passion through sports teaches them that if they apply themselves, and work hard, that anything is possible. Since Samantha became a youth officer, she has built and continues to foster numerous programs to mentor and rehabilitate the community’s youth. Her Female Mentoring Program focuses on encouraging self-care, higher education through job placement, and workshops to guide females in their future careers. She organizes the Big Brother Big Sister homework help program which helps students improve their learning and allows guidance counselors to assist seniors with higher education through college tours. Ensuring continued education is paramount among her troubled youth. Samantha’s Annual Back to School Giveaway donates backpacks and school supplies to families in need each year. Aside from education, Samantha also prioritizes ensuring children have a special Holiday Season. This year will be the 3rd Annual Santa’s Elves program which ensures children in the ACS Program experience the Holiday with gifts, food, and a decorated holiday party complete with Santa Claus and a few special guests from the NYPD’s Canine Unit. Samantha Williams has been recently designated as one of our future leaders after successfully passing the NYPD Sergeant’s Exam. Her background with kids will make her a better, more compassionate leader in her experience with victims and the youth community. Samantha’s work ethic, resilience, and overall empathetic nature towards the youth have contributed to the crime reduction in the Thirteenth Precinct, specifically street robberies. She showed that her positive outreach has been instrumental in rehabilitating the community’s youth and strengthening community relations. It is for these reasons that we must honor her past year’s great achievements with the Cop of the Year Award.
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SAFE CITY SAFE STREETS 2020
HEALTHCARE WORKERS OF THE YEAR
Lenox Health Greenwich Village Honoree: Dr. Alexander Hellinger Executive Director Alexander Hellinger, DPT, MBA, oversees the operations and development of Lenox Health Greenwich Village. He previously served as associate executive director overseeing and coordinating the development of the first freestanding emergency department in Manhattan as well as the various facilities and programs within Lenox Health Greenwich Village including a fullservice imaging suite, ambulatory surgery center, and physician offices, among others. Prior to this, Dr. Hellinger was associate executive director of clinical services at Long Island Jewish Valley Stream, overseeing various departments including pharmacy, radiology, laboratory, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speechlanguage pathology, respiratory therapy, wound care, hyperbaric, orthopedics, and the Joint Replacement Center, Spine Center and Eye Bank. In addition, he had administrative oversight of the surgical and critical care patient care units. Dr. Hellinger joined LIJ Valley Stream as administrative director of the orthopedic service line and director of rehabilitation services. Dr. Hellinger began his career in health care as a staff physical therapist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. Dr. Hellinger received a Bachelor of Physical Therapy from the University of Hartford, a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from A.T. Still University, and an MBA from Hofstra University. The Greenwich Village Chelsea Chamber of Commerce
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HEALTHCARE WORKERS OF THE YEAR
Lenox Health Greenwich Village Honoree: Dr. Anjali Bharati Anjali Bharati, DO is an attending physician in the emergency department at Lenox Health Greenwich Village. She has 12 years of experience as an attending and has worked primarily in emergency departments in New York City. Dr. Bharati graduated from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2004. She completed a rotating internship at St Vincent’s Medical Center in 2005 and then went on to residency in emergency medicine at New York Medical College. After completing residency in 2008, she did her fellowship in emergency ultrasound at NY-Presbyterian. She stayed on as an academic faculty member, training residents and attendings to perform emergency ultrasound in a clinical setting. Dr. Bharati joined the faculty at Lenox Health Greenwich Village in 2014 and is proud to be an attending at this facility, bringing high quality emergency care back to Greenwich Village after many years
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SAFE CITY SAFE STREETS 2020
HEALTHCARE WORKERS OF THE YEAR
Lenox Health Greenwich Village Honoree: Yangchen “YC” Gyatotsang BSN, RN Assistant nurse manager Yangchen received her Bachelor’s in Nursing at Rutgers University. She started her career as an Emergency Room nurse in Newark, NJ. Hoping to continue to cultivate her skills, she became a staff nurse at Lenox Health Greenwich Village, NYC’s only free-standing Emergency Room in 2017. She was promoted to Assistant Nurse Manager in 2019 and has a passion for quality initiatives and patient experience. She is currently enrolled in SUNY Stony Brook’s Masters in Nursing Leadership and expected to graduate in May 2020. During the first surge of the Covid-19 pandemic, Yangchen was tasked with managing the nursing teams in both the Emergency Department and LHGV’s pop up inpatient unit that cared for thousands of area patients.
The Greenwich Village Chelsea Chamber of Commerce
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Lenox Health Greenwich Village appreciates all those who bravely serve our community
Together with the Greenwich Village Chelsea Chamber of Commerce, we honor the
NYPD officers from the 6th, 9th, 10th, 13th and Midtown South precincts for the heroic work they do in keeping our communities safe. This year, more than ever, we tip our hats to you.
Alex Hellinger Executive Director Lenox Health Greenwich Village
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SAFE CITY SAFE STREETS 2020
Northwell Health joins the Greenwich Village Chelsea Chamber of Commerce
in recognizing our very own
Lenox Health Greenwich Village health care heroes We applaud the entire frontline team for going to extraordinary lengths to care for the downtown community during the COVID-19 crisis. A special congratulations to today’s honorees for their fearless, unwavering leadership.
Alex Hellinger
Executive Director
Anjali Bharati, DO
Emergency Department Physician
Yangchen Gyatotsang, RN Assistant Nurse Manager
Michael J. Dowling President & CEO Kevin Beiner Executive Director, Western Region
The Greenwich Village Chelsea Chamber of Commerce
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Safe Cities Safe Streets New York University salutes the Greenwich Village Chelsea Chamber of Commerce and all first responders along with the 5th, 6th, 9th, 10th, 13th, and Midtown South Police Precincts for promoting and maintaining safe streets. Thank you for serving as essential workers on the ground during this challenging year. We are deeply grateful for your tireless commitment and dedication to New York City.
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SAFE CITY SAFE STREETS 2020
The Greenwich Village Chelsea Chamber of Commerce
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SAFE CITY SAFE STREETS 2020
THANKS THE
NYPD AND THE
GREENWICH VILLAGE CHELSEA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND SERVICE
Seventeenth Annual
ANNUAL AWARDS VIRTUAL EVENT December 17th, 2020
The Greenwich Village Chelsea Chamber of Commerce
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WILLIAM
OTTLIEB REAL ESTATE
WGRE
SUPPORTS THE
NYPD AND THE
GREENWICH VILLAGE CHELSEA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND SERVICE
Sixteenth Annual
SAFE CITY, SAFE STREETS LUNCHEON December 12, 2019
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SAFE CITY SAFE STREETS 2020
The Greenwich Village Chelsea Chamber of Commerce
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SAFE CITY SAFE STREETS 2020
The Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership congratulates
the NYPD’s 13th Precinct O∞cer of the Year
O∞cer Samantha Williams and salutes the men and women of New York City Police Department for their tireless e≠orts
The Greenwich Village Chelsea Chamber of Commerce
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UNION SQUARE THANKS YOU!
The Union Square Partnership salutes the Greenwich Village Chelsea Chamber of Commerce’s “Officer of the Year” honorees from the 5th, 6th, 9th, 10th, 13th, and Midtown South precincts as well as our partners at Lenox Health Greenwich Village.
Union Square is a safer and more vibrant public space because of you. Lynne P. Brown President + Co-Chair
William D. Abramson Co-Chair
Stay Connected @UnionSquareNY
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SAFE CITY SAFE STREETS 2020
Jennifer E. Falk Executive Director
SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER CHAMPIONS Platinum Champions
Silver Champions
Bronze Champions
The Greenwich Village Chelsea Chamber of Commerce
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Mission: Provide innovative and effective programs and services to support businesses throughout Greenwich Village, East Village, Union Square, Flatiron, Chelsea, NOHO, and SOHO in four key ways: ADVOCATE - Champion the voice of business in government and community affairs. EDUCATE- Keep members informed on relevant issues; provide opportunities for professional development. NETWORK- Provide programs to connect members to customers, suppliers, and community leaders. PROMOTE- Market our communities and member businesses to attract tourism, encourage new investment and support the area’s economic growth. History: For over 70 years, the Greenwich Village-Chelsea Chamber of Commerce (GVCCC) has served as the leading voice of business in our communities. Founded in 1949 by a select group of small business entrepreneurs in Greenwich Village, the Chamber has steadily grown to service Greenwich Village, Chelsea, SoHo, NoHo, Union Square, Flatiron, as well as the East and West Villages. What started out as a few dozen businesses banding together, is now hundreds of members strong. The Chamber membership ranges from sole proprietorships to locally owned independent businesses, to major institutions and organizations. Our diversity is one of our greatest assets, providing our membership with unique opportunities and a strong voice from which to address business issues. The Chamber also offers numerous benefits and services including networking opportunities, business and educational seminars, government advocacy, marketing and promotional campaigns and much more.
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SAFE CITY SAFE STREETS 2020
GVCCC STAFF
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Maria Diaz
FALL 2020 INTERNS Alice Chi Xiao Ariel Barcia Carla Orlandi Eileen Reilly Isabella Aroca Jenna Powell Julia Turgeon Kalu Hesedenz
Kiara Lovelace Maria Albano Rebecca Piattelli Ryan Chavis Samantha Diaz Sydney Miller Taylin Minor
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Andrés Pazmino
Ken Jockers Hudson Guild
Capalino + Company
Andreas Koutsoudakis Koutsoudakis & Lakovou Clifford Luster Michael Aglialoro Schneps Community News Group / Bethpage Federal Credit Union The Villager Max Myers Bruce Balsam Bank of America Corporation Mazars USA LLP Christine Wong Peg Butler Law Offices of Christine Wong Lenox Hill Hospital Administration Matthew Olden Buchbinder & Warren RealtyGroup LLC
Robert Goldman VillageCare
The Greenwich Village Chelsea Chamber of Commerce
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SAFE CITY SAFE STREETS SPONSORS Platinum
Gold
Precinct Sponsors:
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5th
10th
6th
13th
9th
Midtown South
SAFE CITY SAFE STREETS 2020