Parkchester News: There is a homeless problem

Parkchester News: There is a homeless problem: Mayor Finally Admits: There is Homeless Problem City Acknowledges New Homeless Taskforce By David Greene BRONX, NEW YOR...

There is a homeless problem

Mayor Finally Admits:

There is Homeless Problem

City Acknowledges New Homeless Taskforce

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)- The half dozen homeless people who sleep on park benches along Jerome Avenue, near East Gun Hill Road in Norwood were unaware when asked about the city's new homeless outreach program, acknowledged by city officials nearly three-weeks after the program quietly began.

The city has so far identified 80 homeless encampments across the five boroughs and has begun to dismantle them, as trained professionals from nine city agencies attempt to assist some of the homeless who have apparently refused the city's invitation at city-run shelters.

The City of New York estimates that 56,000 individuals are currently homeless and being housed in city shelters throughout the five boroughs. An additional 3,000 are living on the city streets and the new program that began on August 17, is seeking to reduce that number.

Jerome Avenue was not identified as an encampment because the closely-knit group has built no structures, and those who sleep there do so in the daytime, when families gather inside of Van Cortlandt Park, when they say they feel safest.

They speak of a need to sleep in the daytime, in order to stay awake at night, so they can protect themselves and each other from attack or theft of the few belongings they still have.

Police Commissioner Bill Bratton recently said of the current situation, "The laws have changed in the last 20 years, when I was here the last time (and) the tools I had to work with," adding that panhandling is no longer considered a crime.

The NYPD's Chief of Patrol, Carlos Gomez, explained that when a unit goes to dismantle an encampment, members of the NYPD, EMS, Homeless Services, Sanitation, Parks, Transportation, Housing, Environmental Protection and the city's Legal Department will also be on hand to provide whatever assistance they can.

Gomez added, "Offering outreach and services is the main thrust, the main goal of this plan."

City officials also revealed that since the program was implemented, 161 homeless people were taken off the street and offered shelter and other services. However, only 10 individuals took the city up on its offer--with the rest apparently headed back into the streets.

"Mohammad" a homeless man who has called the park benches along Jerome Avenue home for the last three-months, recalled trying a city shelter, explaining, "I tried the shelter on Third Avenue, but it wasn't safe. And I feel like Norwood has become my home."

Speaking on his weekly radio program on WNYC on September 1, Mayor Bill de Blasio said of the crisis, "Clearly the numbers of folks in shelters shot up after 2011 and have remained very high, they would have gotten a lot higher, but for the efforts of a lot of people in this administration."

A day earlier Lilliam Barrios-Paoli, the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, who was in charge with handling the current homeless crisis, stepped down from her $222,000 a year post to become chairwoman of the Health and Hospitals Corporation, an unpaid position. De Blasio denied Paoli had been demoted, insisting her stepping down was a "personal decision."

Meanwhile, the de Blasio Administration has reached out to local churches and synagogues seeking 500 'Safe Haven' beds that would be incorporated into the city's "Opening Doors" program.  The city currently has more than 680 such beds that have fewer restrictions than a traditional shelter.

The city currently has $19.5 million allocated for the Safe Haven program and an additional $15.7 for the outreach program for the fiscal year 2016.   

#Homeless #deBlasio

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Parkchester News: Early Decisions Derail #Yankees in #SubwaySeries

Parkchester News: Early Decisions Derail #Yankees in #SubwaySeries: Early Decisions Derail #Yankees in #SubwaySeries #Mets Dominate Quiet Bombers By Howard Goldin QUEENS, NEW YORK (SPORTS)- ...

Early Decisions Derail #Yankees in #SubwaySeries

Early Decisions Derail #Yankees in #SubwaySeries

#Mets Dominate Quiet Bombers

By Howard Goldin

QUEENS, NEW YORK (SPORTS)- The reward for the victor of Friday night’s Subway series contest at Citi Field was far more important than bragging rights. The Mets, victorious over the Yankees, 5‐1, raised their lead over the second place Washington Nationals to nine games in the National League East with 15 games remaining and cut the magic number to clinching their first pennant in a decade (2006) to eight.

The defeat of the Yanks cost far more than embarrassment as they fell to 4.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East, the largest deficit for them in the 2015 season.

On July 31, the Mets had a mark of 53‐50, trailed the Nationals by two games. The Yanks were in first place with a six-game lead and their season record was 58‐44. Since that date, the Mets have compiled a record of 31‐13, 17 of those victories have been comeback and the Mets have also tied the Blue Jays for the major league lead with 72 home runs. On the other hand, the Yanks have only played .500 ball (22‐22).

The difference in success between the two clubs can be traced in large part to unexpected decisions made by the management of each prior to the trading deadline, July 31. The reputation of the Mets ownership for not spending large amounts of money to acquire top talent from other teams or calling up their young and talented hurlers from their minor league system earlier than planned have been disregarded this year by general manager Sandy Alderson once a decision was made that a pennant was within reach in 2015. The Yankees also changed from their recent free spending methods in order to obtain a championship each season by making no major moves this year.

The result of Friday’s contest was a reflection of those earlier decisions. Steven Matz, in only his fifth start in the majors, gave up a run in the first, but held the Yanks scoreless in the next five frames to raise his record to 4‐0. His skipper, Terry Collins, remarked, “He was really impressive. He settled down [and] gave us six innings.”

Newcomer to the Mets, Yoenes Cespedes, has been carrying the team since his first game on August 1, but was hitless on Friday. Collins commented, “As good as Yo has been, it’s going to take a lot more than one guy to win games.” The home run was decisive from some of the other guys. Lucas Duda and Daniel Murphy hit solo home runs off Masahiro Tanaka and veteran infielder Juan Uribe, another July acquisition, hit a two run homer in the seventh.

Collins praised his importance to the team, “This guy is a big time player. Not only has he been a terrific guy in the clubhouse [but] he’s gotten big hits for us.”

Big hits were something the Yankees lacked without Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez and Brian McCann in the starting lineup. The Yanks left 10 runners on base while only going 2 for 8 with RISP in their 25th one run scoring game this season.

#Yankees #Mets #SubwaySeries #Tanaka #Yoenes Cespedes

Bronx DA SEEKS JUDGESHIP

BRONX D.A. SEEKING JUDICIAL NOMINATION

BRONX, NEW YORK (BRONX NEWS)-  -- Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson announces that, today, he informed his staff he has now requested that Bronx County Democratic Chairman Marcos Crespo support his nomination for a  position as a Justice of the New York State Supreme Court.

Johnson said, "This spring, I did what I have done every four years, which was to submit my name for re-election to continue in the role of District Attorney for another term.  And once again, the Bronx Democratic Party, as well as the Republican and Conservative Parties, bestowed upon me their nomination to serve as District Attorney for another term.

“I have gained tremendous satisfaction from working with this Office and all its staff to provide justice and fairness for the people of The Bronx.  However, after 42 years of public service, including the U.S. Navy, The Legal Aid Society, as a Bronx Assistant District Attorney, as a Criminal Court Judge, and as the D.A. for the past 27 years, after much inner reflection, I have concluded that I would like to serve in another capacity. It is time for change in my life. The judicial position will allow me to make  a career move that provides the change that I seek without giving up public service.

“Contrary to what has been reported, no one, including anyone associated with the Bronx Democratic Party, has ever offered me another position, nor has anyone asked me to step down or retire as the District Attorney. I have, over the years, enjoyed their full faith and support both personally and through many electoral processes.

“I understand that this position cannot be offered to me prior to the Judicial Convention on Thursday, September 24th. I would not make that presumption. In fact, having gone to the Convention in 1987 as the candidate of the then County Chairman and coming out without the nomination, I understand the process better than most. I realize that the decision rests solely with the Judicial Delegates.

“Should I not be granted the nomination, I will stand for reelection in November to the position of District Attorney in order to continue to serve the people of the Bronx, a job that I love.  It is a position that allows me to secure justice for Bronx residents and the people of New York.

“I will be making no further comment on this subject."

#BronxDA #Robert t. Johnson