Co-op City’s official newspaper serving the world’s largest cooperative community. © Copyright 2011 Co-op City Times
Vol. 46 No. 35
Saturday, August 27, 2011
25¢
Public Safety and 45th Precinct team up to conduct quality of life crackdown
Comment deadline approaches for proposed 1% carrying charge increase; State conference on September 8
BY BILL STUTTIG In the wake of increasing concern over the unlawful congregation of large groups of young people leading to the type of violence that occurred last week with a shooting in Section 5, Co-op City’s Department of Public Safety has teamed up with officers from the 45th Precinct to conduct quality of life sweeps on weekend evenings. According to Chief Frank Apollo, the operation conducted last weekend netted 16 arrests, many for disorderly conduct, possession of controlled substances and unlawful congregation. In many areas, summonses were given out for public consumption of alcohol, trespassing and engaging in anti-social behavior. “This partnership between the Precinct and Public Safety helps us stay on top of many chronic quality of life problems which frankly can often lead to incidents such as what occurred in Section 5 on August 16th,” said Chief Apollo. On August 16th, two people were shot following an altercation between two groups of youth congregating near the Einstein Shopping Center shortly before 9
BY ROZAAN BOONE Shareholders who would like to comment on the proposed 1% carrying charge increase which is slated for implementation on October 1, 2011 have until next Tuesday, September 6, to do so. A second proposed 1% increase in carrying charges would be due effective June 1, 2012. Written comments on these increases can be sent to Ricardo Cabodevilla, Housing Management Representative, New York State Homes and Community Renewal, Housing Management Bureau, 25 Beaver Street – 6th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10004. The postmark deadline for cooperator comment to HCR is Tuesday, September 6, 2011. In addition, HCR has also scheduled a conference to be held on Thursday, September 8, at 7 p.m. in the Dreiser Auditorium, so that shareholders and representatives of the housing company may meet with HCR staff to discuss the proposed carrying charge increase and budget for the Riverbay Corporation. This rent conference follows Riverbay’s application for an increase in the maximum average monthly room carrying charges. The application asks for a 1% increase effective October 1, 2011, to be followed by another 1% increase on June 1, 2012. Presently, the average carrying charge in Co-op City is $192.22 per room, and the proposed 1% increase would raise this figure by $1.92 to an average $194.14 per
p.m. After shots rang out, Public Safety officers pursued and trapped the suspected shooter behind Bay Plaza and the NYPD’s canine unit was called in and forced the suspect to surrender. The following day, another suspect in the shooting was arrested by the 45th Precinct and the investigation into events that resulted in the potentially deadly incident continues. Captain Russell Green, Commanding Officer of the 45th Precinct, called the joint operation an ongoing effort that has increased in the wake of the shooting here on the 16th. He said that four officers from his precinct work with the Public Safety team at identifying spots where quality of life problems commonly occur and enforcing the law as it relates to these types of violations. Captain Green said that he believes it is important to also show the community that these two law enforcement agencies work well together at combating the problems common to this community and most other communities. He added that the (Continued on page 2)
R iver b a y H u r r ica n e P r ep a r ed n ess (See pa ge 5)
H UR R I C ANE AL E RT
room in apartments as of October 1, 2011, and $196.08 upon the next 1% increase on June 1, 2012. The audited Financial Reports of Riverbay Corporation was published in the December 4, 2010 issue of the Co-op City Times and they are also available for inspection by cooperators or their representatives at their respective CSO office or at the Riverbay administrative offices, 2049 Bartow Avenue. In addition, the notice of the increase has been posted in each building lobby and in the townhouse bulletin boards. As stated in the HCR notice to cooperators of Riverbay Corporation, comments submitted by shareholders will be reviewed by DHCR accountants, attorneys and housing management representatives. “After receipt of comments, additional analysis may be made of financial aspects of housing company operations and the financial schedules may be revised in light of information obtained,” the notice states. The notice to shareholders further states that after reviewing cooperators’ comments, DHCR staff will then make recommendations to the Commissioner regarding the carrying charge increase and the Commissioner, who has the power pursuant to provisions of the Private Housing Finance Law to fix carrying charges, appliance and parking charges, will make the final determination as to whether or not an increase is necessary and, if so, the amount required. (Continued on page 2)
I n t h e even t of a n emer gen cy d u r in g t h e st or m wh er e you m ust seek sh elter a wa y fr om your h om e, t he followin g loca t ions will b e op en d u r in g t h e st or m a n d m a n n ed b y P u b lic Sa fet y. • Dr eiser Au dit or ium s: A-B-C • Ba r t ow C en t er : R oom s 31 & 28 • E in st ein C en t er : R oom s 45 & 49
• I n em er gen cy, ca ll: P u blic Sa fet y 718-671-3050 • NYP D/F DNY-911 • M a in t en a n ce - 718-320-3300, p r ess 3, t h en 1
H UR R I C ANE ADVI SO RY R iver b a y C or p or a tion a d vise t h e followin g: • St a y in d oor s d u r in g t h e st or m . (shelter in p la ce) • St a y a wa y fr om wind ows. Sh ou ld win dows b low out , m ove t o you r build in g’s h a llwa y • C u t ba ck on elect r ica l u sa ge
• Keep sever a l da ys supp ly of househ old st a p les; wa t er, food , fla sh light /ba tt er ies & a por ta ble r a dio • Keep an emer gency ba g ava ila ble should you n eed to leave your home r emember medica tions • P r e ch a r ge your cell p h on es
Broken bottles and rattled nerves…An earthquake emanating from central Virginia was felt up and down the East Coast Tuesday afternoon including, of course, Co-op City, where nerves were rattled and some merchandise fell off shelves in local supermarkets but no major damage was reported. On the heels of that event, cities all along the East Coast, including New York City, are on a hurricane alert as Hurricane Irene makes her way up the coast. This storm is considered very dangerous and reportedly will affect approximately 65 million people in its path up the East Coast. (Please see Riverbay preparedness article and flyers on page 1, as well as CERT 10 article on page 4 in this issue of the Co-op City Times. Shareholders should also tune in to the Riverbay crawler for additional updates and advisories.) Photo by Bill Stuttig