Alternate Side Parking Regulations are suspended citywide on Tuesday, December 10 to facilitate snow removal. Parking meters remain in effect.

The New York City Police Department graduated 57 Traffic Enforcement Agents Monday in a ceremony at Police Headquarters. The new agents will be assigned throughout the five boroughs.

“From this day forward you will play a critical role in the Department’s mission to keep New York City safe. You will be serving on the front lines protecting the motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians who use our roadways, controlling intersections for emergency vehicles and clearing hazardous conditions” Police Commissioner Kelly said. “It is a job that is not without risk. We were reminded of that nine days ago when Traffic Enforcement Agent Kalyanarat Ranasinghe was struck and killed by a truck in Midtown Manhattan. It was a terrible loss for the police department and we continue to keep his family in our prayers.”

Yesterday’s graduates join a force of over 2,500 agents. Traffic Enforcement Agents are uniformed, civilian personnel of the Department whose work includes directing traffic, controlling busy intersections and parking enforcement. They must pass 12 weeks of training prior to being assigned to posts throughout New York City.

The Flatbush Jewish Community Coalition, (FJCC) is offering a reward of up to $5500 to anyone offering information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators of the cowardly “Knockout Game” operating in our area.

According to FJCC Chairman Josh Mehlman, “The FJCC reward is the largest to date offered to combat this disturbing phenomenon. We are hopeful that this incentive will facilitate an arrest of any culprits.” Mehlman continued, “Many Yeshiva and Bais Yaakov administrators as well as parents have expressed serious concern for the well being of students walking home from school late in the evening. The safe streets we have all come to enjoy suddenly seem precarious, and we must work together to keep our community’s safe”

The FJCC is working diligently with Councilman-Elect Chaim Deutsch, who has been tracking the situation with precinct commanders, Sen. Simcha Felder, Assemblyman Dov Hikind, Councilman David Greenfield and Shomrim members to better organize and enhance the security in the community.

Rafael Treitel, FJCC board member, and longtime Police liaison said, “The FJCC community leaders are directly coordinating with law enforcement commanders and local elected officials, to prevent future attacks.” Treitel said, “The safety and security of our streets is our highest priority. It is very important that any incident big or small be reported to 911 immediately.”

Police have reported at least a dozen attacks against members of the Jewish community in the New York City area since September. In several incidents, the victim was punched seemingly at random while walking past a group of young men, leading some to believe the attacks may be part of a street game called “knockout.”

FJCC Executive board members Leon Goldenberg and Peter Rebenwurzel have taken the lead in funding the reward and expressed hope that this will enable the end of the attacks. Anyone suspecting criminal activity should immediately call 911. Anyone with information about these incidents is urged to contact the NYPD’s anonymous Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.

The community is urged to be cautious and not walk alone or on deserted streets.

VIA: City Room / NY TIMES

Councilman David G. Greenfield is requesting that the MTA install flashing yellow warning signals at all railroad underpasses in Midwood to prevent incidents of trucks and large vehicles becoming stuck and causing traffic accidents and backups. In a letter to MTA Acting President Carmen Bianco and Brooklyn Department of Transportation Commissioner Joseph Palmieri, Councilman Greenfield asks that these signals be installed along avenues that cross beneath the railroad tracks, which run between E. 15^th Street and E. 16^th Street and serve the B and Q trains.

Currently, there are only small white and black signs indicating to oncoming traffic the maximum height of vehicles that can safely pass under the tracks. As a result, there have been numerous incidents of drivers, especially in tractor trailers, not noticing or disregarding the signs and becoming stuck. These accidents often occur along busy commercial corridors such as Avenue J and Avenue P as truck drivers unfamiliar with the area travel through while making deliveries to local businesses. To help prevent this from occurring, Councilman Greenfield is requesting that the MTA install flashing yellow lights at each bridge from Avenue J south towards Sheepshead Bay.

“This is a simple and inexpensive step that the MTA can take to improve safety and help prevent traffic jams throughout our community. Aside from causing headaches for other drives, these incidents of drivers ignoring the existing signs and becoming stuck beneath the bridge can cause serious accidents or significant damage to the overpass. With that in mind, I hope the MTA will agree that it makes sense to install clearer, more visible flashing signals at those locations,” said Councilman Greenfield.

The Brooklyn Bridge will be closed to Manhattan-bound traffic from midnight Friday to 7 am Saturday, from midnight Saturday to 9 am Sunday, and from midnight Sunday to 6 am Monday. The eastbound BQE exit onto the bridge closes 30 minutes earlier, the northbound FDR Drive exits close up to an hour earlier, and all other Brooklyn ramps onto the bridge shut down 5-15 minutes earlier.

The Grand Street Bridge over Newtown Creek will be closed on Saturday from 7 am to 1 pm to perform maintenance and structural repairs. Vehicular and pedestrian traffic will be detoured to the Metropolitan Avenue Bridge.

The Ninth Street Bridge over the Gowanus Canal will be closed on Saturday from 7 am to 1 pm to facilitate bridge repairs.

One lane in each direction on the Metropolitan Avenue Bridge over Newtown Creek will be closed on Sunday from 7 am to 1 pm to facilitate bridge repairs.

Google Maps: 14th Ave & 55 Street

At Councilman Greenfield’s insistence, the city Department of Transportation has moved forward with steps to improve safety at the busy and dangerous intersection of 14^th Avenue and 55^th Street in Boro Park. Following numerous accidents and near-misses at that location, often caused by low visibility for drivers traveling along 55^th Street who are unable to see oncoming traffic on 14^th Avenue, Councilman Greenfield has been pushing the DOT to take steps to improve safety for drivers and pedestrians there, including the installation of a traffic signal. While the city is still working to complete a necessary traffic study for a traffic signal, DOT crews have installed an all-way stop sign at that location in the meantime to immediately improve safety. Councilman Greenfield is pleased that this initial step has been taken at his request.

“My thanks to the Department of Transportation for quickly responding to this serious safety concern on behalf of our community. This is clearly one of the most dangerous intersections in our neighborhood and the site of many accidents over the years. I heard from many very concerned constituents about this issue over the past weeks, so I am pleased that we have been able to immediately improve safety with an all-way stop sign, and I will continue to work with the DOT to expedite the traffic study at that location,” said Councilman Greenfield.

Councilman Greenfield is constantly working with the community and the DOT to identify and improve safety at dangerous intersections and locations throughout Boro Park, Midwood and Bensonhurst. Anyone with additional suggestions for locations in need of traffic calming measures should contact Councilman Greenfield’s district office at (718) 853-2704.

Close to 200 people, including prominent community leaders and elected officials, gathered at the Canal Jeans Building in Flatbush today to join Senator Simcha Felder and Councilman-elect Chaim Deutsch  in paying tribute to outgoing Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly at an Appreciation Breakfast held in his honor.

“Today is all about gratitude, about saying thank you to an individual that I consider to be the quintessential public servant,” Senator Felder said of Commissioner Kelly. “And the best police commissioner New York City has ever had,” he added.

At the breakfast, Senator Felder and Councilman-elect Deutsch presented a silver mezuzah and plaque to Commissioner Kelly. “You have kept us and our families safe for the last 12 years,” Senator Felder said in presenting the gift. “We thank you for your service, and present this mezuzah – a symbol of protection and safety – to you as a token of our appreciation.”

Senator Felder also noted that thanks to the efforts of Commissioner Kelly, a 43-year veteran of the NYPD, New York City is on track to become the nation’s safest city.

“Studies show that every neighborhood in the City is flourishing despite the economy because crime is down,” the Senator said. “With the help of God, New York City has not experienced a terrorist attack since 9/11. The City has come back in every way since 9/11, and it’s due in large measure to the safety and security all New Yorkers have enjoyed during Commissioner Kelly’s tenure.”

The Senator remarked that there are only three cities considered safer than New York, namely, Plano, Texas; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Henderson, Nevada. “And if you want, you can leave now,” the Senator said to much laughter.

Senator Felder also welcomed and congratulated newly-elected Councilman Chaim Deutsch, the founder of the Flatbush Shomrim, who co-hosted the event with him.

“It is fitting that you, as the founder of the Flatbush Shomrim, are here today to help pay tribute to NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly,” Senator Felder told Councilman-elect Deutsch. “Both the Flatbush and the Boro Park Shomrim have a long history of working together with the Police Department to keep our streets and neighborhoods safe. We are all grateful to the Shomrim for their cooperation and assistance.”

In his speech, Councilman-elect Deutsch said, “Raymond Kelly has led the New York City Police Department with pride and distinction. . .he has gone above and beyond the call of duty and helped bring the NYPD to where it is today. There’s a reason that the NYPD is hailed as the greatest police department in the world.”

Commissioner Kelly thanked the Senator and Councilman-elect, and echoed the Senator’s remarks, saying that after the September 11 attacks, people said New York City was “doomed.” He shared that 16 terrorist attacks against New York City have been thwarted since 9/11, and warned that the City must remain ever vigilant against those who seek to harm us. The Commissioner also acknowledged his top commanders and the brave men and women of the NYPD saying it was a privilege to lead them.

At the conclusion of the program, throngs of people mobbed the Commissioner in order to get a photograph with him. “This was the right thing to do,” said Senator Felder following the event. “I am so glad we had this opportunity to thank Commissioner Kelly for everything he has done for this City.”

Remarks of Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly Dedication of Harbor Launch In Honor of Detective Dillon Stewart NYPD Harbor Unit, 140 58th Street, Brooklyn Friday, December 13, 2013

Good morning. I am honored to join the family of Detective Dillon Stewart, along with members of the NYPD Harbor Unit and the 70th Precinct, to welcome an important addition to our harbor fleet.

The new launch is named for a true hero of the Police Department who gave his life for the people of this city. Dillon Stewart was a model police officer with unlimited potential. He possessed the instincts, the composure, and the eye for detail that helped him to excel in every aspect of police work. As a member of the 70th Precinct’s midnight Conditions Team, he canvassed troubled hotspots in Brooklyn, battling crime and taking violent criminals and illegal weapons off the street.

Tragically, his life and his career were cut short eight years ago. On November 28th, 2005, he and his partner observed a vehicle run a red light in East Flatbush. When they attempted to pull the car over, the driver refused to stop and then opened fire, striking Dillon in his left side, between the panels of his bullet-resistant vest. Despite being mortally wounded, Dillon continued to pursue his assailant for several blocks, leading to the arrest of the suspect who was wanted for a prior shooting. It was a tremendous display of courage and determination.

For his heroism, Dillon was posthumously promoted to detective first grade and awarded the Police Department’s highest recognition, the Medal of Honor. His name is also enshrined in police memorials in Albany and in Washington, DC, and in a playground in Brooklyn. Today, we add one more tribute to his memory with the dedication of this SCUBA dive launch. It will serve as a lasting reminder, not only of the service and sacrifice of a fallen hero, but also to the ideals Dillon Stewart and many other police officers have given their lives to defend.

This boat is now the largest vessel in our fleet, and also one of the fastest. It will enable us to transport more equipment and personnel and help our SCUBA team carry out the life-saving work they do every day, from rescue operations, to conducting searches for people and evidence, to inspecting piers, sea walls, and ship hulls as part of our counterterrorism mission.

It’s a tangible symbol of the cause to which Dillon Stewart devoted his life. All who see it will be reminded of his vital contributions to public safety, and they’ll know that the New York City Police Department never forgets its heroes.

We also never forget their loved ones. I want to acknowledge the members of Detective Stewart’s family who are here today:  Dillon’s wife Leslyn, who leads a support group for families of other fallen officers; their daughters, Alexis and Samantha; Dillon’s mother, Winifred; and his sister, Sheryl. We take this opportunity again to thank you for sharing Dillon with us, and for the examples of strength you continue to provide. We will always consider you members of our extended police family.

May God bless you. May God bless the memory of Detective Dillon Stewart. And, may God bless the members of the Police Department who carry on his important work.

Thank you all for being here.

A new NYPD Harbor launch was named in honor of Detective Dillon Stewart this morning. A member of the 70th Precinct conditions team, Detective Stewart was fatally shot by a motorist who refused to stop his vehicle after running a red light on November 28, 2005. Although being mortally wounded, Detective Stewart chased the suspect several blocks leading to his arrest.

“The new launch is named for a true hero of the Police Department who gave his life for the people of this city, Police Commissioner Kelly said at today’s ceremony. “Dillon Stewart was a model officer with unlimited potential.”

Remarks of Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly Dedication of Harbor Launch In Honor of Detective Dillon Stewart NYPD Harbor Unit, 140 58th Street, Brooklyn Friday, December 13, 2013

Good morning. I am honored to join the family of Detective Dillon Stewart, along with members of the NYPD Harbor Unit and the 70th Precinct, to welcome an important addition to our harbor fleet.

The new launch is named for a true hero of the Police Department who gave his life for the people of this city. Dillon Stewart was a model police officer with unlimited potential. He possessed the instincts, the composure, and the eye for detail that helped him to excel in every aspect of police work. As a member of the 70th Precinct’s midnight Conditions Team, he canvassed troubled hotspots in Brooklyn, battling crime and taking violent criminals and illegal weapons off the street.

Tragically, his life and his career were cut short eight years ago. On November 28th, 2005, he and his partner observed a vehicle run a red light in East Flatbush. When they attempted to pull the car over, the driver refused to stop and then opened fire, striking Dillon in his left side, between the panels of his bullet-resistant vest. Despite being mortally wounded, Dillon continued to pursue his assailant for several blocks, leading to the arrest of the suspect who was wanted for a prior shooting. It was a tremendous display of courage and determination.

For his heroism, Dillon was posthumously promoted to detective first grade and awarded the Police Department’s highest recognition, the Medal of Honor. His name is also enshrined in police memorials in Albany and in Washington, DC, and in a playground in Brooklyn. Today, we add one more tribute to his memory with the dedication of this SCUBA dive launch. It will serve as a lasting reminder, not only of the service and sacrifice of a fallen hero, but also to the ideals Dillon Stewart and many other police officers have given their lives to defend.

This boat is now the largest vessel in our fleet, and also one of the fastest. It will enable us to transport more equipment and personnel and help our SCUBA team carry out the life-saving work they do every day, from rescue operations, to conducting searches for people and evidence, to inspecting piers, sea walls, and ship hulls as part of our counterterrorism mission.

It’s a tangible symbol of the cause to which Dillon Stewart devoted his life. All who see it will be reminded of his vital contributions to public safety, and they’ll know that the New York City Police Department never forgets its heroes.

We also never forget their loved ones. I want to acknowledge the members of Detective Stewart’s family who are here today:  Dillon’s wife Leslyn, who leads a support group for families of other fallen officers; their daughters, Alexis and Samantha; Dillon’s mother, Winifred; and his sister, Sheryl. We take this opportunity again to thank you for sharing Dillon with us, and for the examples of strength you continue to provide. We will always consider you members of our extended police family.

May God bless you. May God bless the memory of Detective Dillon Stewart. And, may God bless the members of the Police Department who carry on his important work.

Thank you all for being here.

​Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis  is urging the remaining 43 percent of Brooklyn homeowners who have yet to re-register for their Basic STAR exemption for property tax assistance to do so prior to the December 31 deadline. In compliance with new guidelines meant to prevent fraud and abuse of STAR benefits, participants must sign up by telephone or online. The new guidelines do not affect homeowners age 65 or above enrolled in Enhanced STAR.

​“As time flies through the hectic holiday season, I am reminding homeowners to fulfill this requirement with the State before the December 31 deadline to avoid losing this tax benefit. As of December 9, nearly half of Brooklyn homeowners were at risk of losing their STAR exemption, and I don’t want to see that happen.”

To register, visit www.tax.ny.gov or call (518) 457-2036.

Alternate Side Parking Regulations will be suspended citywide tomorrow, Tuesday, December 17, to facilitate snow removal. Payment at parking meters will remain in effect throughout the City.

The New York City Police Department today announced the results of a pedestrian safety initiative conducted citywide last week which focused on areas with higher concentrations of pedestrians and holiday shopping locations. Patrol officers issued 4,612 double parking summonses, 2,857 moving violation summonses and made 226 arrests for suspended licenses. The initiative is a part of the NYPD’s effort to reduce traffic infractions and conditions that cause death and injury to pedestrians.

The initiative began on Monday, December 9^th and concluded on Friday, December 13^th. Enforcement was conducted between 0700 and 2300 hours.

Additional officers were assigned to enforce hazardous traffic violations at shopping districts and major pedestrian crossings. Violations included double parked vehicles, failing to yield to pedestrians, disobeying red lights and improper turns.

There were 2,152 double parking violation summonses issued in Manhattan, 1,368 in Brooklyn, 637 in Queens, 445 in the Bronx and 10 in Staten Island.

There were 944 moving violation summonses issued in Manhattan, 705 in Queens, 684 in Brooklyn, 409 in the Bronx and 115 in Staten Island.

There were 74 arrests of operators driving with a suspended license in Brooklyn, 70 in Queens, 66 in Manhattan, 14 in the Bronx and 2 in Staten Island.

Pedestrians and drivers are reminded to exercise extra caution on city streets during the holiday travel season, especially during inclement weather.

State Senator Golden  today is announcing his partnership with HeartShare Human Services and the National Grid Neighborhood Heating Fund, to assist low-income families with the elevated cost of heat during the winter months.

The program, founded in 1983, has been administered by HeartShare Human Services since 1995.  Senator Marty Golden has long partnered with the Fund to make the financial relief available to those qualifying constituents.

Senator Marty Golden stated, “We all know how much it costs to heat our homes and for many families, these bills place a true financial burden on a household budget.  This program will again help many local families this year,  and I encourage those in need to contact my office for details. I thank HeartShare for their continued dedication to this program and selecting my office as a program site in our community.”

Eligibility is based on household size and gross monthly income. For an application and more information, contact Senator Golden’s office at (718) 238-6044.  Those wishing to apply must show proof of income, Social Security card and identification for everyone in the household, and an unpaid gas bill.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) Commissioner David Yassky today announced an agreement with Evgeny “Gene” Freidman, and four taxicab companies owned in part by Freidman, to pay $746,406 in restitution to drivers who were charged rates higher than the legally permissible amounts to lease cabs and medallions, as well as $500,000 in fines. With control through his companies of more than 880 medallions, Freidman oversees one of the five largest fleets in New York City.

In order to ensure that drivers retain at least a minimal amount of take-home pay, TLC rules – first enacted in 1996 – limit the amount of money drivers may be charged for leasing taxicabs and medallions. Today’s agreement is the first settlement of its kind by the Attorney General under these “lease cap rules,” following a September 2013 agreement between the Attorney General and TLC to collaborate on enforcement of those rules. Several other investigations under that collaboration remain ongoing.

“Taxicab drivers are not only an international symbol of New York City, they are also among the hardest-working New Yorkers,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Today’s agreement is the first major step in enforcing lease cap rules that protect workers and their already modest take-home pay. I’m confident that our new partnership with the TLC will continue to increase compliance in this important area.”

David Yassky, Commissioner of the TLC, said, “It is unconscionable to cheat hardworking taxi drivers out of their earnings — which aren’t very much to begin with. Today’s enforcement action should send a clear message to the taxi industry that violation of our driver-protection rules will not be tolerated.”

The Freidman companies involved in today’s agreement are 28th Street Management, Inc.; Downtown Taxi Management, LLC; Tunnel Taxi Management, LLC; and Woodside Management Inc. As agents for medallion owners, these companies control more than 880 medallions out of the total 13,231 medallions currently in existence in New York City.

Because of the extremely high cost of purchasing a medallion for a yellow cab (as much as $2.5 million for a pair of medallions at the most recent sale in November 2013), most taxicab drivers do not own their medallions. Instead, they lease medallions, and often vehicles as well, on a daily or weekly basis. NYC taxicab drivers are generally not employees and are therefore usually not covered by minimum wage, overtime, or many other labor laws.

The TLC lease cap rules, among the few workplace protections for drivers, limit the dollar amount drivers may be charged, and also strictly limit add-on charges that can be imposed upon drivers. Taxicab drivers earn income from fares collected over the course of a shift, minus the amounts they must pay to medallion owners or agents for leases and add-on fees. Overcharges by owners or agents chisel away at drivers’ limited income.

To better enforce the lease cap rules, in 2011, the TLC formed the Lease Cap unit and devoted resources to the investigation and prosecution of driver complaints against owners and agents who were charging drivers more than the legal amount for the lease of taxicabs. To date, the Lease Cap unit has investigated over 250 driver complaints and successfully prosecuted 55 cases resulting in $109,594.34 in restitution paid to drivers and $314,978 in imposed fines. In addition to the agreement announced today, earlier this week a medallion owner was found guilty of retaliating against a driver for alleging overcharges with the TLC. The medallion owner was fined a total of $20,000, while the drivers under that medallion were awarded $10,000.

In 2012, the TLC estimated that the average driver income after paying the lease fee, sales tax, gas expenses, and fees was approximately $125 per day — before drivers paid Social Security and other taxes. However, drivers’ workweeks often consist of five to seven shifts of 12 hours each, and unlike employees covered by the labor law, taxi drivers do not receive any overtime pay. Taking into account the extensive weekly hours commonly spent driving, taxicab drivers’ pay often barely reaches the rate that would be required for a minimum wage employee with the same working schedule.

The Freidman Companies routinely overcharged drivers in several ways from at least January 1, 2012. In some instances, they collected lease rates from drivers that simply exceeded the lease cap amounts. They also collected several types of impermissible add-on fees and charges, including a “shift excess time surcharge” fee of $3.50 per shift as well as vehicle registration, commercial motor vehicle and TLC inspection fees.

The Attorney General’s agreement requires the Freidman companies to pay restitution to drivers and to appoint an internal compliance officer to help the companies follow the law going forward. In addition, the Attorney General and the TLC will regularly review the companies’ driver receipts and other documents to ensure compliance. If those reviews reveal material violations, the companies must hire an independent external compliance officer to ensure future compliance.

Today, Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Brooklyn) released the following statement upon ending his campaign for Speaker of the New York City Council. Council Member Williams pledged to support Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito as the next Speaker.

STATEMENT FROM COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIAMS

“I entered the race for Speaker several weeks ago, after the exciting win of Public Advocate-Elect Letitia James. After Public Advocate-Elect James’ win, many questioned whether there was a need to consider candidates from diverse backgrounds for other offices, including Speaker. I entered the race for Speaker to ensure that New Yorkers from all walks of life had the opportunity to serve in one of the most powerful offices in New York City government. That was accomplished. Though I am ending my candidacy for Speaker today, I am proud to endorse Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito to serve as our next Speaker.

“As a co-founding member of the Progressive Caucus, I made clear that my candidacy was not just about myself; and that I pledged I would support the candidate that the Bloc coalesced around, and that candidate is Council Member Mark-Viverito. This decision is not a result of pressure, including phone calls from anyone, to support a specific candidate. For clarity, I received no calls from our Mayor-Elect. The fact is, simply, I am man of my word. Though some thought it would be impossible, I am happy that the Progressive Bloc, along with Brooklyn County leadership, under Chairperson Frank Seddio, and each Brooklyn delegation member have come to a consensus. Though there is approximately three weeks left before the official vote, I believe that Council Member Mark-Viverito will prevail.

“I am proud of all of us, Inez Dickens, Dan Garodnick, Melissa Mark-Viverito, Annabel Palma, Jimmy Vacca, and Mark Weprin, who heeded the call to enter the race for speaker. I have great respect for them and all of my colleagues and look forward to working with them to have a strong, independent Council and to move this city in a more progressive direction. I look to soon begin the work of healing and uniting for the sake of all New York City residents and the challenges we face.”

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the state will provide nearly $4 million in grant funding to 29 police departments, district attorneys’ offices and other agencies to combat motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud in New York State.
“Motor vehicle insurance fraud is a crime that costs New York’s consumers and insurers millions of dollars every year,” Governor Cuomo said. “Under the State’s Motor Vehicle Theft and Insurance Fraud Prevention program, we are empowering local law enforcement agencies with additional resources to combat this problem, enhancing efforts to track down those who break the law and increasing protection for our consumers.”

The grant is available through the state’s Motor Vehicle Theft and Insurance Fraud Prevention program, which is overseen by a 12-member board that develops the state’s strategy for combating motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud, in addition to reviewing grant applications and making the grant awards. The state Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) serves as the staff for the board and administers the grant program, which targets the state’s urban centers and is funded through a $10 fee assessed on insurance policies issued for vehicles registered in the state.

Recipients will use the grants to target suspected motor vehicle insurance fraud and continue efforts to combat motor vehicle theft, which has been steadily declining in New York. Since 1997, the number of motor vehicle thefts reported in the state has declined 90 percent. In 2012, 18,677 incidents of suspected motor vehicle insurance fraud were reported to the Insurance Frauds Bureau of the state Department of Financial Services (DFS), a 9 percent increase over 2011, when 17,121 suspected incidents of fraud were reported. The 2012 incidents included motor vehicle theft; motor vehicle arson; larceny from a vehicle; motor vehicle fraud claims and no-fault insurance claims, all of which were not legitimate.

DCJS Executive Deputy Commissioner Michael C. Green, who chairs the Motor Vehicle Theft and Insurance Fraud Prevention Board, said, “Even as we see the numbers of motor vehicle thefts go down, we must remain vigilant in fighting fraud in motor vehicle insurance. That is an effort that requires a collaborative effort among local law enforcement, state, federal and insurance industry partners to track down wrongdoers and find ways to prevent fraud from happening in the first place.”

The following 29 agencies will receive grants and use them in a variety of ways to combat fraud, including: funding either all or a portion of the salaries of assistant district attorneys and investigators specifically assigned to handle motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud cases; funding enhanced enforcement and sting operations; and offering specialized training for prosecutors, police officers and investigators.

Statewide Training Grants

· New York Anti-Car Theft and Fraud Association (NYACT): $57,000

· The New York State Prosecutor’s Training Institute (NYPTI): $31,900

New York City

· New York City Police Department: a total of $289,700 to two specialized units, the Auto Crime Division and Fraudulent Accident Investigation Squad

· Fire Department of New York: $104,900

· Bronx County District Attorney’s Office: $302,500

· Kings County District Attorney’s Office: $227,200

· New York County District Attorney’s Office: $275,000

· Queens County District Attorney’s Office: $568,200

· Richmond County District Attorney’s Office: $77,100

Long Island

· Nassau County District Attorney’s Office: $169,100

· Nassau County Police Department: $130,000

· Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office: $315,100

· Suffolk County Police Department: $143,200

Hudson Valley

· Westchester County District Attorney’s Office: $300,900

· Yonkers Police Department: $139,400

Capital Region

· Albany Police Department: $36,500

· Albany County District Attorney’s Office: $68,100

Central New York

· Syracuse Police Department: $26,000

Western New York

· Erie County District Attorney’s Office: $120,700

· Monroe County District Attorney’s Office: $125,000

· Niagara County District Attorney’s Office: $152,100

· Buffalo Police Department: $121,000

· Cheektowaga Police Department: $48,000

· Niagara Falls Police Department: $36,500

· Rochester Police Department: $42,200

· Monroe County Sheriff’s Office: $31,200

· Niagara County Sheriff’s Office: $21,500

After working closely with Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) over the past few years on ways to prevent children from being exposed to inappropriate content on library computers, Councilman David G. Greenfield is pleased that BPL officials have agreed to install new internet filters on all public computers at library branches across the borough. This technology is something that Councilman Greenfield has personally discussed with library officials following complaints from constituents who were concerned that children could easily view or be subjected to graphic and indecent websites and videos. Councilman Greenfield introduced legislation in 2011 that would make it a crime to view pornography within 100 feet of a child in a public library building. As a result of Councilman Greenfield’s advocacy on this issue, parents no longer have to worry about their child seeing things that are inappropriate on a computer while visiting the local library branch.

“This is a great step towards protecting our children and maintaining the safe and welcoming environment that makes our libraries so great. This is an issue that I was personally concerned about as a parent of young children and have heard about from many of my constituents. The new policy balances the need to prevent minors from being subjected to graphic material without censoring library-goers who are using the public computers in an appropriate manner. My thanks to President Linda Johnson and the entire Brooklyn Public Library leadership for addressing this serious issue in a way that considers the needs of everyone and makes our great neighborhood library branches safer for everyone who visits them,” said Councilman Greenfield.

The new effort to better filter inappropriate internet content and protect children at local library branches utilizes Websense software, which will bring greater consistency across all browsers and will lead to fewer mistakenly blocked sites. In addition, under the most substantial change to the policy, streaming adult video is now completely blocked for all users on all library computers. This is in response to a major concern of Councilman Greenfield and many Brooklyn residents that children could easily get around the prior safeguards and view adult websites. There is now a total block of adult videos on all computers, with an attempt to view such sites resulting in a window alerting that the site is completely blocked for all users, regardless of their age. Finally, the new filtering software will also help better block access to websites that contain viruses and other malicious software.

At approximately 5:30 AM this morning, police officers responded to a residential fire at 293 East 8th Street within the confines of the 66th Precinct. Upon arrival officers discovered 5 injured females.  EMS responded and transported a female 16 year old to Maimonides Hospital where she was pronounced DOA. EMS also transported a female 27 year old in critical condition to Cornell NY Presbyterian Hospital, a female 24 year old to Kings County Hospital in critical condition, a female 57 years old and a female 59 years old to Kings County Hospital, both in stable condition. The Fire Marshal will determine the cause of the fire and the Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death.  The investigation ongoing.

Deceased has been identified as:

Jasmine Guillaume F/16

293 East 8th Street

Brooklyn, NY

The Brooklyn Bridge will be closed to Manhattan-bound traffic from midnight Friday to 7 am Saturday, from midnight Saturday to 9 am Sunday, and from midnight Sunday to 6 am Monday. The eastbound BQE exit onto the bridge closes 30 minutes earlier, the northbound FDR Drive exits close up to an hour earlier, and all other Brooklyn ramps onto the bridge shut down 5-15 minutes earlier.

One lane on the Manhattan Bridge Manhattan-bound lower level will be closed on Saturday from 7 am to 2:30 pm to facilitate NYCDOT bridge repair.

One of four lanes on the Williamsburg Bridge eastbound to Brooklyn will be closed on Saturday from 6 am to 2 pm to facilitate NYCDOT bridge maintenance.

The Grand Street Bridge over Newtown Creek will be closed on Saturday from 7 am to 1 pm to perform maintenance and structural repairs. Vehicular and pedestrian traffic will be detoured to the Metropolitan Avenue Bridge.

One lane in each direction on the Metropolitan Avenue Bridge over Newtown Creek will be closed on Sunday from 7 am to 1 pm to facilitate bridge repairs.

After much fanfare, Lutheran HealthCare and Super Sprowtz launched its groundbreaking partnership. The patient engagement initiative is aimed at educating Lutheran’s pediatric population and their families about healthy eating and healthy living. Super Sprowtz has partnered with schools in the past and has been featured at the White House, but Lutheran HealthCare is the first health care organization to host the unique and interactive program.

The program kicked-off with a launch event on December 19 at the Lutheran HealthCare Sunset Park Family Health Center for Women and Children. The event, which was attended by Lutheran patients and approximately 30 students from PS 503/506, included a short speaking program by representatives from Lutheran and Super Sprowtz and was followed by an interactive performance by Roger Raddish, Brian Broccoli, Colby Carrot and more.

Generously funded by sponsors, Riva Precision Manufacturing, KA Design Group, and the Lutheran Medical Center Auxiliary, this unique and highly interactive program engages children and families in waiting rooms using a fun, age appropriate curriculum that features an exciting multimedia approach including books and puppets that tell the story of vegetable superheroes that include Brian Broccoli, Colby Carrot, Erica Eggplant and more.