Local Politicians Calling on NYPD to Crack Down on Massage Parlors

State Senator Martin J. Golden and Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakistoday are calling on the NYPD and multiple New York City agencies to investigate and address the ongoing issue of day spas and massage parlors that have been opening up throughout our community.

These Day Spas are opening during late night and off peakhours,   some   staying   open  well  past  11:00  PM  on weeknights,  leaving  many residents and local leaders to suspect  that  illegal  activity is taking place in these establishments.

“While  we  welcome small businesses to our community, we have  zero  tolerance  for  any establishment that may be breaking the law. Multiple reports in the Newspaper’s and television over the last few days, coupled with community complaints,  has  led  me  to  believe that many of these “Spa’s”  are  no more than fronts for prostitution,” said Senator  Golden. “Today I am calling on the New York City Police  Department  to  use  all  resources available to ensure  that  these locations are what they say they are, and  if anyone is breaking the law, they are shut down as soon as possible.”

Senator Golden continued, “In order to assist the NYPD, I ask that all New York City agencies work in a coordinated effort  to  ensure that these places are operating within the  confines  of  the  law. In the coming days, my staff will  be  reviewing  the  licensing  laws for all massage parlors   and  day  spas,  and  we  will  be  introducing legislation to ensure that State licensing procedures are strengthened  to  ensure  that  illegal facilities cannot open,  so that our communities will remain a safe, clean, and friendly place to live.”

“The  reported activity in city “spas” brings a corrosive influence  into our communities that must be investigated and    eradicated    immediately,”   said   Assemblywoman Malliotakis.   “It  is imperative that law enforcement works with city and state government   to   ensure   that  any  illegitimate  front operations  are  ridden  from our communities so that the hardworking small business owners and taxpayers that make our   city   great   can   thrive   in  safe  and  secure neighborhoods.”

Greenfield’s Law Would Provide Security for Yeshivas and Parochial Schools

Councilman David G. Greenfield introduced legislation this week in the City Council that would improve safety at every New York City school by requiring the NYPD to provide all institutions – whether they are public or private – with a School Safety Agent at the administration’s request. While every public school in the five boroughs currently has at least one School Safety Agent assigned to it, non-public schools are not provided this same level of security. In addition, there is no requirement that every public school have a School Safety Agent, meaning that the NYPD could decide to change its policy of assigning one to every public school at any time. In response, Councilman Greenfield’s legislation would simply require that the NYPD provide a School Safety Agent to every public and private school in New York City at the school administration’s request.

“Every child deserves to attend school in a secure environment, regardless of whether they attend a public or private school. This legislation will help ensure that every school in the five boroughs is safe by providing a School Safety Agent at the school’s request. Quite frankly, we are inviting tragedy by not having security officers in some schools. After Newtown we shouldn’t be taking any chances with our children’s lives,” said Councilman Greenfield.

The School Safety Division is part of the NYPD’s Community Affairs Unit and employs over 5,000 School Safety Agents and 169 uniformed police officers that are assigned to schools based on need as determined by the NYPD. It was part of the Department of Education until 1998, when its responsibilities were transferred to the NYPD. Agents have arrest powers and fulfill duties including monitoring school entrances, exits and hallways, operating ID scanners, cameras and metal detectors and coordinating with precinct officers when situations arise. Their presence helps provide a secure classroom to all students and teachers and ensure a safe and optimal learning environment free of aggression and dangers.

“We have seen too many recent reminders about the need to review security at every school and take steps before a tragedy occurs. Our city and the NYPD has a responsibility to keep every student safe in every single New York City School, public or private, and this is an important step towards that goal,” added Councilman Greenfield.

The legislation was introduced at Wednesday’s Stated Council meeting and has been referred to the Public Safety Committee for hearings.

“Restore The B37 Bus” Coalition To Hold Rally To Demand The Restoration Of The B37

The Restore the B37 Coalition, an extensive grassroots alliance of local residents, workers, businesses, community groups, elected officials, and TWU Local 100 members along the Third Avenue Corridor in Brooklyn will gather on Saturday, June 15^th, at 11AM at Martin Luther Playground in Sunset Park to demand that the MTA re-instate the B37. The mass rally represents a milestone in the coalition’s three-year efforts to unite the communities of Downtown Brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights, Boerum Hill, Gowanus, Red Hook, Sunset Park, and Bay Ridge in support of restoring the bus line.

“I am 77 year old activist who uses a walker. I have always used mass transit to live my life and that is what MTA has taken away,” said Violeta Maya, a community activist since 1949, and co-founder of the Restore the B37 Bus Coalition. “The MTA must restore this bus line for me and the people in our community that use it to get to work, health services, school and places of worship.”

In 2010, the B37 was one of five local bus lines that were reduced or eliminated in Southwest Brooklyn, resulting in $2.8 million total savings for the MTA. While every service reduction negatively affected our communities, the loss of the B37 has been particularly harsh, disproportionately impacting the elderly, disabled, families, youth, and persons with chronic illnesses, who relied on the bus to access their health services, and to travel to city agencies in downtown Brooklyn.

Energized by the MTA’s $40 million surplus from the State Budget, the coalition organized the rally to amplify their demand that the MTA to finally bring back the B37. Restoring the line would cost only a small part of the MTA’s $2.8 million savings from 2010.

“Albany gave the MTA $40 million more than it asked this year. It only makes sense to use some of this money to restore services that were cut back in 2010 – starting with the B37,” said Councilman Vincent J. Gentile. “The B37 was absolutely vital to the people of Bay Ridge and beyond. It was our neighborhood’s connection to Sunset Park, Park Slope, Lutheran Hospital and downtown Brooklyn. And now with the news that the Montague tunnel will be closed for the next 14 months, our communities deserve every other option and alternative possible. It’s hard enough as it is for residents of Southern Brooklyn who travel to other boroughs each day via public transportation. The MTA must prioritize service restorations first and foremost!”

The Restore the B37 Bus Coalition has tremendous unified support across Brooklyn:

John Samuelsen, President, TWU Local 100: “The MTA’s surplus, due partly to increased revenue from dedicated transit taxes, reflects our improving economy. As our economy rebounds, it is even more critical that our communities have reliable, affordable transit services, so everyone can fully participate in the growth of our city. The MTA should prioritize service restorations in its plans to spend its surplus.”

Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny: “When the MTA fails to provide bus service which can accommodate the needs of the sick, elderly, and others in need of assistance, it hurts everyone in the community. People who depend on bus service find their mobility restricted when those services are cut. This is unfair to taxpayers who pay for public transportation but are no longer able to use it. It is also unfair to businesses who lose customers from those who ride buses, employers who lose workers, people who need to get to schools or the doctor’s office, and people who don’t drive. The MTA and other policymakers need to understand that any of us could be in need of public transportation, and just the extent to which communities build their lives around the availability of these services.”

Carlo A. Scissura, President & CEO, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce: “The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce supports the work of the B37 Bus coalition as we all strive to get improved mass transit for all part of Brooklyn. The B37 bus was vital in moving residents from Southwest Brooklyn, allowing them to travel Downtown easily and rapidly. It allowed people to get to work on weekdays and to shop on weekends. The MTA must restore B37 service now!”

Weekend Bridge and Street Closures: June 14-16

Brooklyn Bridge: One of three lanes may be closed in eastbound direction to Brooklyn as needed 6am to 3pm weekdays. These closures are necessary to facilitate long term bridge construction activity. Off peak hour single lane closures will occur, as needed on the local streets under the bridge through 2013. Several work zones exist on the bicycle/pedestrian promenade with narrow areas to transverse. This Bridge is closed to Manhattan-bound traffic overnight as of Monday night April 4th, 2011 to perform necessary long term rehabilitation and repainting work. Brooklyn-bound traffic will be maintained throughout the project as will the span’s pedestrian and cycling path. Motorists should follow signed routes to access the bridge leaving Manhattan. The northbound FDR exit to the Brooklyn Bridge is closed starting 1 hour before closure hours noted below. Motorists should use the prior South Street exit. The Brooklyn Queens Expressway eastbound exit to the Brooklyn Bridge is closed starting as early as 30 minutes before closure hours noted below. Motorists should proceed to the following Manhattan Bridge exit or use the prior Brooklyn Battery Tunnel cars only (pay toll) exit for access to Manhattan. All work will occur overnight during off peak hours, when Manhattan-bound motorists will be detoured to the nearby Manhattan Bridge, or may choose other crossings. The full closure for traffic proceeding Manhattan bound/westbound will occur Monday night through Friday morning between 11pm and 6am, and 12:01am to 7am Saturday. One of three eastbound lanes will be closed 6am to 2pm Saturday to facilitate NYCDOT bridge maintenance. Note: The Chambers Street/Centre Street entrance to the bridge eastbound to Brooklyn will be closed 7am to midnight Saturday and 9am to midnight Sunday, June 15-16th, 2013. Motorists should follow detour and enter bridge at Park Row entrance. Also the inbound Park Row South exit will be closed 12:01am to 9am Sunday and 11pm Sunday to 6am Monday June 16-17, 2013.

Manhattan Bridge: One of two lanes will be closed on the south upper roadway eastbound to Brooklyn on Saturday from 7am to 4:30pm. During these times there will be two lanes eastbound on the lower level and two lanes open on the north upper roadway westbound to Manhattan.

Bridge Street between Willoughby Street and Fulton Street: This street will be closed Saturday and/or Sunday from 8am to 6pm to facilitate crane operation.

Rockwell Place between Lafayette Avenue and Fulton Street: This street will be closed Saturday and/or Sunday from 6am to 9pm to facilitate crane operation.
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Fulton Street between Boerum Place and Flatbush Avenue: This street will be closed Friday from 11am to 6pm for the Merchant Sidewalk Sale as permitted by the Mayor’s Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO).

Bedford Avenue between Metropolitan Avenue and North 12th Street: This street will be closed Saturday from 11am to 6pm for the DOT Weekend Walks-Williamsburg Walks as permitted by the Mayor’s Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO).

Graham Avenue between Metropolitan Avenue and Broadway: This street will be closed Sunday from 1:30pm to 3:30pm for the Desfile Festival Latinos Unidos NY Inc. as permitted by the Mayor’s Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO).

Pitkin Avenue between Strauss Street and Amboy Street: This street will be closed Saturday from 11am to 6pm for the DOT Weekend Walks-Pitkin Avenue Summer Plazas as permitted by the Mayor’s Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO).

Flatlands Eye Sore Soon To Be Demolished

Today, Council Member Jumaane D. Williams applauded the plan to demolish a blighted house in Flatlands that has posed numerous hazards to the surrounding neighborhood. The news comes immediately following a community press conference held on Tuesday where he joined civic leaders and local residents in a call to tear down the burnt-out building at 1114 East 40th Street. According to Council Member Williams, the Department of Buildings (DOB) has planned to issue an emergency declaration for demolition and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) will begin collecting bids from contractors.

“This is proof positive that an organized community can be effective,” said Council Member Williams. “On big issues and small, the power of individuals when they band together and demand action to improve their quality of life cannot be denied. Unfortunately, this demolition has been tied up for two years in a bureaucracy that is too often frustrating our efforts to better our quality of life. This blight impacted civic pride, impacted property values and impacted community safety. I thank the DOB and HPD for working together to do right by this community. When we tear this house down up, we will be building our neighborhood back up.”

The issue has been championed by the local Nieuw Amersfort Civic Association, led by president Steve Yamin. They first brought the issue to Council Member Williams’ attention and have since worked with his office to raise awareness and call for action.

“Congratulations to Council Member Jumaane Williams for helping us getting this blight out of our community,” said Yamin. ”This block has beautiful homes and to break through the red tape of the city, it was nearly a miracle!”

The house suffered an early morning fire back in 2009 and since then has been the source of 11 complaints to the DOB, including debris falling onto neighboring properties, illegal dumping and concerns over vermin and vagrants. The owner also erected an illegal construction fence that prevented access to the interior by an inspector, which resulted in two violations from the Environmental Control Board with penalties totaling $4,500; at both hearings, the respondent failed to appear. There are an additional two active DOB violations on the property.

$2.8 Million Settlement Against A Corporation For Illegally Dumping Contaminated Water Into NYC Sewer System & Tax Fraud

Brooklyn DA Hynes today announced Jack Abel and Avi Abel, the father and son owners of Watermark Designs, LLC and its subsidiary, Sepco Industries, Inc., pleaded guilty on the corporation’s behalf to a New York Environmental Conservation Law, prohibiting the unlawful discharge of industrial waste and for repeated failure to file corporate tax returns.

Kings County Supreme Court Justice Alex Jeong took the plea and sentenced the corporation to a conditional discharge, payment of $1.27 million for cost of prosecution; $30,000 in environmental fines; over $1.5 million for unpaid corporate taxes and four years of an extensive compliance, monitoring and remediation plan with the New York State Department of Environmental Protection and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

“The illegal discharge of this hazardous industrial waste by this company was abhorrent,” said District Attorney Charles J. Hynes.  “This office has a zero tolerance policy towards environmental offenders and will continue working together with the DEP and the DEC and other agencies to investigate, prosecute and punish corporations or individuals who put profits ahead of the health and safety of employees and the public at large.”

“The investigation into Watermark Designs, LLC uncovered the illegal discharge of industrial wastewater into the New York City sewer system, in violation of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and New York State law.  New Yorkers enjoy a wide range of recreational activities in the state’s waters and such egregious behavior will not be tolerated,” said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said.”

In May, 2012, the DEP and DEC and contacted the D.A.’s office about information they were given by a former employee at Watermark that the company was illegally dumping industrial waste into the New York City sewer system, from their Brooklyn manufacturing facility at 350 Dewitt Avenue .  The company specializes in the design and custom metal plating of bathroom and kitchen fixtures and accessories.  During the metal-plating process, waste water containing metals such as Copper, Zinc, Chromium, and Silver is generated.  Proper disposal of the waste water requires a costly, multi-step process, that ensures any solid toxic materials be removed by a regulated waste-hauler.  Watermark instead disposed of the industrial waste water, which included the hazardous metals, through a hose inserted in a floor drain.

Based on the information provided by the whistleblower, a multi-agency investigation began and continued throughout the summer of 2012.  DEP obtained water samples from sewer manholes at and around the facility.  The water samples were laboratory tested and results showed highly elevated levels of metals including but not limited to Copper, Zinc, Chromium, and Silver.   Those levels exceeded the Federal limits.  The investigation also uncovered the company’s tax fraud.

The Environmental Crimes Unit was started in 2008.  Since its inception, over 30 corporate and individual defendants have been successfully prosecuted on a diverse range of environmental crimes, such as illegal dumping of hazardous wastes, illegal commercialization of fish and wildlife, and fraudulent pesticide applicators.  The sentences have garnered record-setting fines totaling $3 million, under NYS environmental laws.  Cases are brought to the unit by the DEP, DEC, other agencies and private civilians.