Yeshiva World News

The leader of the Republican minority in New York’s state Assembly says legislators must pass ethics reforms before adjourning next month.

Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb said Friday that recent corruption scandals have disrupted legislative work and damaged the public’s trust in government.

Kolb wants lawmakers to OK a Constitutional Amendment that, if passed by the voters, would strip pensions from convicted public officials.

Kolb also wants to see eight-year term limits for legislative leadership positions.

Two top lawmakers have been arrested this year on corruption charges. Former Democratic Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is accused of taking nearly $4 million in bribes and payoffs. Ex-Republican Senate Leader Dean Skelos is charged with extorting payments to his son from two businesses.

Both men say they are innocent.

(AP)

Anonymous telephone threats against commercial airliners on Monday, possibly from the same source, caused a scare involving at least six international flights at airports in New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts.

Authorities said the threats did not appear to be credible. They described searches done on the jets as a precaution.

In one instance Monday morning, U.S. military jets escorted an Air France flight into New York City after someone claimed a chemical weapon was aboard the aircraft, the FBI said.

“Out of an abundance of caution, Air France flight number 22 was escorted to John F. Kennedy airport by U.S. Air Force fighter jets following a phone threat,” the FBI said in a statement. “There were no incidents or hazards reported on board the flight by either the passengers or its crew. The plane has been cleared.”

A Saudi Arabian Airlines flight arriving at Kennedy also was being checked out because of another threat, authorities said.

A third threat was made against an American Airlines jet flying from Birmingham, England, to Kennedy while it was still in the air, airline spokesman Kent Powell said. Authorities initially told the pilot to land and taxi to a remote area away from the terminal but later radioed that the threat was not credible and cleared the plane to go to the terminal, Powell said.

At Newark Liberty International Airport, passengers were removed from a United Airlines flight after it arrived from Madrid, United spokeswoman Mary Clark said. The plane was inspected Monday afternoon at a spot away from the terminal.

Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines Inc. said two of its international planes were threatened: a Paris-to-Boston flight and a London-to-Newark flight.

A threat made against a Paris-to-Boston airliner was deemed not credible, Massachusetts Port Authority spokesman Matthew Brelis said, but he didn’t say if that was Delta’s plane. He said he didn’t know the circumstances of the threat or if the plane was searched.

Maryland State Police said they received an anonymous call at the McHenry barracks in the western part of the state threatening commercial aviation about 6:30 a.m. Monday and referred it to the FBI. They declined to comment further.

(AP)

New York State Electric & Gas Corp. is seeking a rate hike.

The utility is proposing an increase that would raise average residential electric bills by $8 a month and average residential natural gas bills by $10 a month. Increases could be higher or lower based on usage and service classification.

If approved, the increase would raise around $164 million. The money would be used to enhance maintenance of the company’s 35,000-mile electric distribution system and strengthen overall security and automation of the network.

The utility suffered $260 million in damage and recovery costs during Tropical Storm Lee in 2011 and Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

Regulators are expected to review the proposal over the next year.

NYSEG serves 883,000 electric customers and 264,000 natural gas customers in upstate New York.

(AP)

Brooklyn- Councilmembers David G. Greenfield and Mark Treyger are urging Mayor de Blasio to reconsider changing the speed limit on Ocean Parkway from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour. In November, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed legislation that lowered the default speed limit citywide from 30 mph to 25 mph. However, the expectation was that major through-routes like Ocean Parkway and the Gowanus Expressway would remain at their previous speed limits since a higher speed is necessary to carry traffic smoothly. The lowering of the default speed limit is a part of Vision Zero – an initiative aimed to reduce traffic fatalities citywide.

“I am proud to have co-sponsored legislation that reduced the default speed limit citywide to ensure the safety of every New Yorker. However, we were promised that major thoroughfares like Ocean Parkway would not be reduced without the input of the local community. We very clearly told the Department of Transportation that Ocean Parkway is not an appropriate street for 25 miles per hour. Applying the 25 mile per hour speed limit Ocean Parkway will actually do more harm than good for our neighborhoods: it will increase traffic and force drivers onto the surrounding narrow residential streets. Already, Waze – the traffic app – is advising drivers to avoid portions of Ocean Parkway and use local streets instead. I am asking Mayor de Blasio to put the speed limit back to 30 mph as soon as possible for the sake of my constituents’ safety and quality of life,” said Councilman David Greenfield.

“I fully support the new speed limit on the majority of roads across the city, especially in residential areas. At the same time, we must recognize the important role that major thoroughfares like Ocean Parkway play in moving high volumes of traffic as efficiently as possible. I am concerned that this lower speed limit will only serve to increase traffic on this extremely busy street without having a real impact on pedestrian safety. This will result in drivers searching for alternate routes through the neighborhoods surrounding Ocean Parkway, which will unnecessarily jeopardize the safety of residents in those areas. I am proud to support Vision Zero and the lower speed limit in appropriate areas where it will protect the public, but I do not believe that Ocean Parkway meets this criteria,” said Councilman Treyger.

Brooklyn’s Ocean Parkway was constructed as the major roadway throughout central and southern Brooklyn. The parkway is heavily trafficked since there are no parallel roads of similar capacity. Keeping this roadway at 30 miles per hour is critical to the communities’ quality of life and elimination of collisions. Many residents are also concerned that the 25 miles per hour speed limits is impractical and will be used to earn revenue via speed-cameras.

(YWN Desk – NYC)

New York Police Commissioner William Bratton says he’s optimistic he will be able to hire more officers, even though there was no allotment in the city’s budget for it.

Bratton spoke Thursday after a City Council budget meeting where he detailed how the NYPD’s $4.9 billion budget would be used.

City council members had asked for as many as 1,000 more officers, a measure supported by Bratton. But Mayor Bill de Blasio did not include funding for more officers in his budget.

Bratton didn’t talk about extra police officers at the meeting because they weren’t included in the budget. But he says he’s hopeful the City Council will include more officers.

The City Council had asked for 1,000 more officers last year but the mayor rejected the plan.

(AP)

The following ia via Breaking911.com:

The US Air Force Thunderbirds are scheduled to conduct a flyover photo mission tomorrow, Friday, 5/22, from 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM, over various areas around NYC.

The event will consist of six F-16 aircraft in addition to the aircraft taking photographs. The F-16’s will maintain an altitude of 1500 – 2000 feet.

The aircraft will travel westbound from Long Island over the water near the south shores of Queens and Brooklyn before turning and navigating north over the Verrazano Bridge, and up the east side of the Hudson River to the Tappan Zee Bridge.

From there, the aircraft will turn around and travel southbound over the west side of the Hudson River to the Verrazano Bridge, before traveling northbound up the east side of the Hudson River to finish their route.

The rain date for the event is scheduled for Monday, 5/25 at 9:00 AM.

(Source: Breaking911.com)

The family of an unarmed Brooklyn man shot by police in November has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against New York City.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday, names the officer who shot Akai Gurley; his partner; and the city’s Housing Authority.

Police say Gurley was accidentally shot after opening a door in a dark stairway that Officer Peter Liang was patrolling.

Liang was indicted in February on manslaughter and other charges.

The city’s Law Department called the shooting a tragic accident and said it will review the claims once the lawsuit is served.

(AP)

Amazon will begin offering one-hour delivery from local stores in New York City as competition in the delivery arena increases.

The service, offered in the city’s Manhattan borough, is part of Amazon’s Prime Now delivery service and will initially include grocery chains D’Agostino and Gourmet Garage and bakery Billy’s Bakery, with Italian food marketplace Eataly launching shortly.

The service is only available via for members of its $99 annual loyalty program and via Amazon’s Prime Now app. It’s free for two-hour delivery and $7.99 for one-hour delivery.

Prime Now, which offers one-hour delivery on some of Amazon’s own products, is available in Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Dallas, New York City and Miami.

The move comes as Uber is testing local delivery service and delivery service Postmates has begun working with restaurants like McDonald’s and Starbucks.

(AP)

Police Commissioner William Bratton says his department and lawmakers are forming a working group to discuss how to handle low-level arrests.

Bratton spoke Thursday at a City Council meeting on the budget. City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito has proposed decriminalizing some offenses like turnstile jumping and possessing an open container of alcohol.

Bratton has steadfastly opposed decriminalization. He has indicated that he does not want officers to lose the right to check people’s identification.

But Bratton says he would consider adopting a system of written warnings for some first and second-time offenders.

Additionally, he says he favors granting amnesty to clear some of the city’s 1.2 million open warrants.

Bratton says he thinks the group can come up with a system that works for everyone.

(AP)

District Attorney Ken Thompson today announced that a 36-year-old Sheepshead Bay man was sentenced to 110 years to life in prison following his conviction on two counts of aggravated assault upon a police officer and other charges last month. The officers were injured when they responded to a 911 call at the defendant’s apartment because he had pointed a gun at someone earlier that day.

District Attorney Thompson said, “This convicted felon could have killed those five brave police officers who literally risked their lives to save a woman and her 10-month-old child. He’s not fit to remain in our society and deserves the sentence that he got today.”

The District Attorney said that the defendant, Nakwon Foxworth, 36, of 3301 Nostrand Avenue in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, was today sentenced by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Neil Firetog to 110 years to life in prison after being deemed a persistent violent felony offender. The defendant was convicted last month of two counts of aggravated assault upon a police officer, three counts of attempted aggravated assault upon a police officer, three counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, one count of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and one count of second-degree menacing following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to trial testimony, on April 8, 2012, the defendant got into a verbal dispute with movers in his building over items left in a hallway. The defendant pulled a gun on the workers and the police were called. The defendant then returned to the apartment he shared with his girlfriend, Jessica Hickling, and their 10-month-old son, armed with a gun.

Approximately an hour after police arrived, the defendant allowed Hickling and the baby to leave the apartment. The defendant then opened fire on the responding officers, injuring three of them. The officers then returned fire and struck the defendant. Three guns were recovered from the defendant’s apartment.

The District Attorney said that Officer Matthew Granahan was shot in the leg, Officer Michael Keenan was shot in the knee and Officer Kenneth Ayala was shot in the pelvic area and the foot. All of the officers were hospitalized and have recovered from their injuries.

BREAKING911.COM

A Crown Heights resident noticed a group of four teens walking up to a porch on Carroll Street between Albany and Troy Avenues and taking three scooters, on Wednesday afternoon. As the group was leaving the property they noticed they were being watched and dropped two of scooters and made off toward Troy Avenue.

The witness called the Shmira hotline while keeping an eye on the group. Shmira members responded and within minutes were able to locate the group on Carroll Street between Troy and Schenectady Avenues. After the witness identified the group, 911 was called and Police placed the perpetrator that was riding the scooter, under arrest. Shmira members located the owner and the stolen property was returned.

Shmira thanks the NYPD 71st Precinct for a quick response.

With summer approaching there is usually a spike in crime. Please keep your belongings properly secured and always be aware of your surroundings.

(YWN Desk – NYC)

The NYPD is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying two suspects wanted for robbery in Flatbush.

On Monday, May 18, 2015 at approximately 10:28PM, two suspects entered a deli, located at 1703 Foster Avenue, where Suspect #1 displayed a firearm, approached the register, grabbed the shirt of a 22-year-old male employee and demanded money. Suspect #2 walked to the back of the location and tried to walk behind the store’s counter where a second employee, a 57 year-old male, struggled with the suspect. Both suspects fled the location after removing $600 from the cash register. There were no reported injuries as a result of the incident.

Suspect #1 is described as a black male, approximately 6’2″, weighing 180 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a gray sweatshirt, black pants and a black hat.

Suspect #2 is described as a black male, approximately 5’8″, weighing 175 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a blue and black long-sleeve shirt, blue pants and a black and blue baseball cap.

Photos of suspects are attached.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

(YWN Desk – NYC)

From the top of One World Trade Center, the nation’s tallest building, it really does seem as if you can “see forever.”

Those two words are the motto of the center’s new observatory that opens May 29, offering spectacular, wraparound views stretching 50 miles past the Manhattan skyline and Statue of Liberty to the Atlantic Ocean.

But even when the 1,776-foot building disappears into the clouds, as it did on a recent day, there are still plenty of high-tech videos and multimedia displays that reflect the hope and optimism of a building and a city that rose from the ruins of the nation’s deadliest terror attack.

“This is a reminder of moving forward,” said David Checketts, the CEO of Legends, which operates the $86 million observatory atop the 104-story skyscraper. “The World Trade Center got knocked down and we built if back up.”

Visitors who enter the One World Observatory — its official name — encounter a delicate balance of future and past, with only brief references to the twin towers that were slammed by terrorist-hijacked planes on Sept. 11, 2001, killing more than 2,700 people.

Just above the street-level entrance, faces of men and women who toiled to erect the mammoth, gleaming tower appear in a jagged tunnel that replicates the trade center’s bedrock, their recorded voices filled with both pain and pride.

And during the lightning-fast, 48-second elevator ride up to the 102nd floor, a three-dimensional, time-lapse panorama shows 515 years of history at the tip of Manhattan, with the twin towers appearing for less than four seconds before dissolving out of view.

Stepping from the elevator, visitors are greeted with display panels showing 3-D, bird’s eye scenes of the metropolis. The panels then lift to reveal New York City — right now.

There’s another display called “City Pulse,” a ring of high-definition video monitors marking popular city activities, neighborhoods and “hot spots.” A wave of the hand in the direction of any of these subjects opens the latest details on everything from sports and theater to the best pizza locations. For an additional $15, visitors may use iPads that scan the skyline, popping up imagery and information narrated by novelist Jay McInerney.

There’s no need to creep to observatory’s edge for a dizzying view of the city about a quarter-mile below. Visitors can stand on a round video platform that shows an actual livestream of the view straight down.

And perhaps the most hair-raising moment of the whole visit is the elevator ride down. LED screens surrounding passengers simulate the flight of a bird or plane high above the site, dipping and soaring around the skyscrapers all the way back to the ground.

The observatory is open to adults for $32, and less for seniors and children — comparable to Empire State Building fees. Tickets may be purchased online, for a precise time to avoid overcrowding.

Checketts, who expects about 3 million to 4 million visitors a year, said the symbolic importance of the building makes a visit to the observatory a special experience.

“I was just looking out at the Statue of Liberty, and frankly, I got emotional about it,” he said of his first visit. “It’s this point in New York, in this city that we all love and it’s rebuilt. It’s back up.”

(AP)

A mentally ill man who randomly attacked three people with a hammer and was later shot after he struck a New York City police officer with the tool in midtown Manhattan was charged Wednesday with assault and criminal possession of a weapon, authorities said.

David Baril, was arraigned from his hospital bed via video link and did not enter a plea. He answered “yes” when asked if he understood the charges. His attorney, present at the hospital where Baril remained in serious condition, requested a psychiatric evaluation. Police have said he has a history of paranoia and schizophrenia.

His attorney said in an earlier statement that at times Baril had been able to live a stable life, pursuing a college degree.

“Hopefully, this tragedy will highlight the failure of the system to provide the services that Mr. Baril so obviously needed and ensure that more resources are dedicated to helping people with mental health needs,” said his attorney, Colby Dillon.

Prosecutors said Baril, 30, is charged “in three separate and distinct unprovoked attacks” on May 11. A 34-year-old woman was bashed in the head with a hammer in a park. A few hours later, a 28-year-old woman in Union Square noticed a man looking at her, and he then pulled a hammer out of a bag and hit her in the head, authorities said. Another attack happened about 10 minutes later when a 33-year-old was struck from behind.

A 20-year-old was also attacked with a hammer in a different part of the city earlier in the day. Police said Baril was responsible but prosecutors have not charged him in that attack.

Detectives tracked the suspect to a subway station where he used his metro card. Officers obtained an image of him and, using facial recognition technology, matched a photo with one on file at the department. His photo was circulated among officers heading out on patrol.

Last Wednesday, two officers were responding to an unrelated assault blocks from Madison Square Garden in midtown Manhattan when they noticed Baril on the street, wearing a hood and a mask, police said. They approached him and he started swinging. Surveillance video captured the man hitting Officer Lauren O’Rourke about three times before her partner, Geraldo Casaigne, fires four shots. Both O’Rourke and Baril fall to the ground. Authorities said it was the same hammer used in the other attacks.

Baril’s next court date is June 25.

(AP)

Police are investigating after swastikas were found in a Brooklyn neighborhood Tuesday.

As 1010 WINS’ Sonia Rincon reported, the four swastikas and profanity appeared scrawled in marker on a guard rail where 49th Street dead-ends near 18th Avenue in Borough Park.

Neighbors, including Abe Cohen, were disappointed but not surprised.

“Definitely noticing every few months these kind of situations, where there is this hatred put on the walls of the community,” he said.

Another neighbor said he’s very upset that people in New York would still use this kind of vandalism 70 years after the Holocaust.

“It’s indescribable and very, very painful and I hope the authorities will do everything and anything to catch them very soon,” he said.

(Source: WCBSTV)

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) and his colleagues are working on a bill to prevent New York State’s pension fund from doing business with companies that boycott Israel. The bill already has the support of more than a dozen Assembly Members on both sides of the aisle and follows on the overwhelming success of a similar bill that was unanimously passed in the Illinois legislature and is set to be signed by the State’s Governor.

“Thanks to a well-oiled propaganda machine, Israel is a uniquely vilified nation state,” said Hikind, a staunch supporter of the State of Israel. “The BDS movement (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions), the strategy of economic warfare, is rooted in anti-Semitism and a denial of Israel’s right to exist. It’s purpose is to delegitimize Israel.

“There’s no BDS movement against any other country. It’s time for New York State to make it clear where we stand. I applaud the lawmakers in Illinois who unanimously recognized the implicit lawlessness of boycotting Israel and I am proud to raise my voice, along with my colleagues in the Assembly, in support of ending the unethical, disingenuous, and frankly racist boycott against this legitimate nation and its people.”

The initial list of NY State Assembly Members supporting anti-BDS bill includes:

Peter Abbate (D-Brooklyn)
Alec Brook-Krasny (D-Brooklyn)
Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Brooklyn)
Michael Fitzpatrick (R-Long Island)
Phillip Goldfeder (D-Queens)
Todd Kaminsky (D-Long Island)
Charles Lavine (D-Long Island)
David McDonough (R-Long Island)
Walter Mosley (D-Brooklyn)
Joseph Saladino (R-Long Island)
Michael Simanowitz (D-Brooklyn)
David Weprin (D-Queens)

(YWN Desk – NYC)

It’s Fleet Week in New York City.

A parade of ships along the Hudson River ushers in the festivities on Wednesday.

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is hosting numerous events as part of the 27th annual celebration.

A Memorial Day commemoration ceremony will include the unfurling of a 100-foot American flag, the playing of taps, a wreath laying and a rifle salute.

The following aviation activities are taking place in connect with Fleet Week:

· On Thursday, May 21st, beginning at 12:00PM one (1) U.S. Coast Guard HH-65 helicopter will conduct a Search & Rescue Demonstration over the water in the vicinity of the Coney Island Boardwalk (v/o West 15th Street) in conjunction with Fleet Week 2015. The demonstration will consist of one (1) swimmer exiting the helicopter to perform a rescue demonstration on a mannequin and is expected to conclude by 12:30PM. All emergency service agencies have been notified. Note: All activities are weather permitting.

· On Friday, May 22nd from 10:30AM-11:30AM, with a backup date of Monday, May 25th from 9AM-10AM. The event will consist of six (6) F1 aircrafts plus the one taking photographs. The F1’s will maintain an altitude between 1500’ and 2000’ with a maximum speed of 300 knots. The aircrafts will navigate the east side of the Hudson River while northbound to Tappan Zee Bridge, make left turn proceed southbound remaining over the water and continue south on the west side of the Hudson. After crossing the Verrazano, make left turn northbound up the Hudson.

· On Saturday, May 23rd, beginning at 12:00PM one (1) U.S. Coast Guard HH-65 helicopter will conduct a Search & Rescue Demonstration over the water in the vicinity of the Manhattan Passenger Ship terminal/ Pier 92 (@52nd street & 12th Avenue, Manhattan) in conjunction with Fleet Week 2015. The demonstration will consist of one (1) swimmer exiting the helicopter to perform a rescue demonstration on a mannequin and is expected to conclude by 12:30PM. All emergency service agencies have been notified. Note: All activities are weather permitting.

· On Sunday, May 24th, beginning at 12:00PM one (1) U.S. Coast Guard HH-65 helicopter will conduct a Search & Rescue Demonstration over the water in the vicinity of Sullivan’s Pier Staten Island in conjunction with Fleet Week 2015. The demonstration will consist of one (1) swimmer exiting the helicopter to perform a rescue demonstration on a mannequin and is expected to conclude by 12:30PM. All emergency service agencies have been notified. Note: All activities are weather permitting.

· On Monday, May 25th, beginning at 1:30PM one (1) U.S. Coast Guard HH-65 helicopter will conduct a Search & Rescue Demonstration over the water in the vicinity of the Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum /Pier 86 (@46th Street & 12th Avenue) in conjunction with Fleet Week 2015. The demonstration will consist of one (1) swimmer exiting the helicopter to perform a rescue demonstration on a mannequin and is expected to conclude by 2:00PM. All emergency service agencies have been notified. Note: All activities are weather permitting

· On Monday, May 25th, FAA has sanctioned the following flyovers related to 2015 Fleet Week. The first will take place at approximately 12:00PM in the vicinity of the Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum. The second, will take place at approximately 1:05PM in the vicinity of Citi Field. Additionally, FAA has approved a parachute jump in connection with the game at Citi Field. The jump will be done by the West Point Parachute team and will take place prior to the 1:05PM sanctioned flyover.

(AP)