Public Safety Report Ensuring Co-op City’s High Quality of Life

The Co-op City Department of Public Safety works proactively to ensure a high quality of life in the Co-op City community. This is accomplished by strictly enforcing New York City Penal Law and Administrative Laws. Two of the most common laws enforced for this purpose are Public Consumption of Alcohol and Disorderly Conduct. These laws are enforced by both the Co-op City Department of Public Safety and the New York City Police Department.

The New York City Administrative Code states that it is illegal for anyone to consume alcohol in a public place within New York City. Enforcement of this law is essential to maintaining a high quality of life within Co-op City. Consumption of Alcohol is a violation of the law and a Criminal Court Summons can be issued in conjunction with a Community Complaint for a Co-op City resident or their guest.

According to the Administrative Code, no person shall drink or consume an alcoholic beverage or possess with intent to drink or consume an open container containing an alcoholic beverage in any public place. A public place is defined as a place to which the public has access including highways, streets, roads, sidewalk, parking area, shopping area, place of amusement, playground, park or beach located within the city.

The New York State Penal Law gives the officers of the Co-op City Department of Public Safety the capability to make arrests for persons observed to be

Public Safety Blotter

February 18 – February 25, 2023

February 18 – 140 Elgar Place

A group of individuals were observed on surveillance cameras smoking and drinking in the stairwell by CCPD Detectives. Officers responded and numerous Community Complaints were issued.

February 19 – 140 Casals Place (Rear of, on Co-op City Blvd.)

A cooperator reported that her catalytic converter was removed from her vehicle.

920 Baychester Ave.

A Community Complaint was issued for an Unauthorized Move (No Permit).

February 21 – 120 Co-op City Blvd.

A Community Complaint was issued for harboring an unauthorized dog.

February 22 – 2049 Bartow Ave.

Officers responded to the Cooperator Services Office (CSO) for an irate individual. The matter was resolved without incident.

February 23 – 4220 HRP

After numerous unsuccessful attempts to contact the violator, a Community Complaint was issued for Noise.

February 24 – 100 Bellamy Loop

An anonymous caller reported suspicious activity in the area. Upon arrival, officers observed a vehicle had its catalytic converter removed. The owner was contacted and a report was filed.

February 24 – 4120 HRP

While on an unrelated call for service, a CCPD officer observed two males assaulting a third male in the back seat of a vehicle. A male was observed being punched and kicked and struck twice with an aluminum baseball bat. The two individuals continued their assault while numerous lawful orders were given. All three individuals were taken into custody when back up units arrived. A search subsequent to arrest resulted in numerous stolen checks and credit card information. In addition to the assault-related charges, the case has been elevated to the USPS Inspectors and Federal District Court.

February 25 – Elgar Place & Einstein Loop

While on a directed patrol initiative, a CCPD officer observed a male chasing another individual with a deadly weapon. The officer gave pursuit and ordered the male to drop the weapon after the male was striking the other male with the weapon. The male complied with the lawful order and was taken into custody and charged accordingly. A large hatchet was recovered at the scene.

920 Co-op City Blvd.

A report of a fight with a weapon was called in to CCPD. Review of CCTV confirmed the report, officers responded and conducted a search of the location. A female was discovered with cuts to her hand and a knife was discovered in the immediate area. While at the hospital, CCPD officers observed another female being treated for similar wounds. The female was identified as the alleged perpetrator and was taken into custody at the hospital and arrested.

140 DeKruif Place acting in a disorderly manner with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm. Additionally, fighting or engaging in violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior is considered Disorderly Conduct and is a violation of the law and a Criminal Court Summons can be issued in conjunction with a Community Complaint for a Co-op City resident or their guest.

CCPD officers observed NYPD fighting with a male, CCPD officers assisted in placing the male in custody. The male was arrested by NYPD and issued a Community Complaint for Anti-Social Conduct.

BLOTTER BONUS: Shareholders, please note that it is illegal to enter or remain on the roof landing of any Co-op City building. This act is incredibly dangerous and punishable under the NYS Penal Law as Criminal Trespass. Further penalties include receiving a Community Complaint which could include substantial fines.

A person who makes unreasonable noise in a public place, disturbing a lawful assembly or meeting of persons or anyone who creates a hazardous or physically offensive condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose is also guilty of disorderly conduct.

Persons who obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic or who congregate with other persons in a public place and refuse to comply with a lawful order of the police to disperse are also guilty of Disorderly Conduct. By enforcing Disorderly Conduct around the buildings, malls and garages, the Public Safety department eliminates loitering. Any contraband recovered in a search subsequent to arrest can result in additional criminal charges. By keeping the malls and buildings free of loitering, a high quality of life is maintained.

The issuance of a New York City Criminal Court Summons is considered Anti-Social behavior. A Co-op City Community Complaint is issued as well for Anti-Social Conduct to residents and their guests for any arrests within the community by CCPD and NYPD. This fine for this violation of Riverbay Rules and Regulations is $300.00. Fines double for each repeat violation. The fees will be automatically added to the monthly carrying charges. After numerous Community Complaints, a resident can face eviction.

To maintain our quality of life efforts, it is important for cooperators to call the Department of Public Safety when they observe any suspicious activity. It is also important that parents make certain that children and guests refrain from loitering or engaging in disorderly conduct.

Never operate a motor vehicle if you have consumed alcoholic beverages. Always buckle your seatbelt; it will save your life in a serious collision. Avoid distractions and excess speed when driving; these are the two leading causes of collisions within New York State. Summer school is in session, drive safely. Never pass a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing. Do not text while driving.

Always remember, if you see something, say something. Call 911 and the Department of Public Safety at (718) 671-3050. Callers may remain anonymous when giving information.

Residents are reminded that Bike Riding is not permitted near buildings, in shopping malls or anywhere else where signs prohibiting bicycle riding are posted. This includes electric bicycles and scooters, including the rental type available in the community.

Co-op City is a diverse community with people of all ages, abilities and characteristics. All persons should remember to respect each other and embrace their differences. Do not forget to say hello to your neighbors when you pass each other in the hallway or in the street. Co-op City strives to accommodate all persons. Follow us on Twitter @CCPDnyc. Comments can be submitted to info@ccpd. us or at www.ccpd.us.

OPPORTUNITIES AT CO-OP CITY

For information on CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES ONLY, please contact: Lenya Garcia at Lgarcia@riverbaycorp.com; and Anatoliy Budnitskiy at abudnitskiy@riverbaycorp.com. Please note: emails should be sent to both parties.

Please DO NOT email resumes for EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES to the aforementioned emails. For EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, please see below for specific directions.

Contract Opportunities

There are no contract opportunities to list this week. Please check back.

Employment Opportunities

For employment opportunities, please search “Riverbay Corporation” at the following sites: www.Indeed.com www.Glassdoor.com

Candidates may review full position descriptions and apply directly at either site

Current Riverbay employees should submit a transfer request and resumé directly to the HR department.

Thank you for your interest in working for Riverbay Corporation.

On February 18, 2023, the first readings (versions) of some resolutions were published in the Co-op City Times. Now, some of these resolutions are good. Then, well, you’ll see.

Resolution #23-09 – Convector Flooding System

It’s very difficult to become a professional engineer. First, you have to study a lot of mathematics, science, and other courses. Then, of course, you will have to be on top of your game to make it in this field.

So, with these realistic points, do you actually think that a good engineering firm should have a problem analyzing and rendering a professional opinion about our convectors that are over 50 years old? Well, let’s review resolution 23-09 to see what happened with an engineering firm that management hired.

This resolution stated that management hired an engineering firm at a cost of $160,000. Then, this engineering firm was supposed “to investigate the cause of the flooding and present recommendations to resolve the flooding.” Then, according to this resolution, you would think that we would have a report that could possibly resolve our flooding issues after spending all of that money. Well, things didn’t quite work out that way. So, let’s see what this resolution said about this matter.

“The engineering firm finally released its report in December 2022, but the report did not address the flooding. …” Say what? Moving on, this resolution amazingly stated that the “Riverbay Board Construction/Power Plant/Restoration Committee approved specific recommendations for mitigating condensate flooding. …” A Riverbay board committee approved specific recommendations for mitigating condensate flooding? Really?

So, this resolution now calls for management to purchase and install 75,000 water sensors and water pans under every convector. Then, the sensors will generate an alarm “directed to a central command by email via Wi-Fi router.”

My questions are: What are the prices of these sensors and this central command station? Who is going to design this central command station with 75,000 sensors? How much will it cost to start and to operate this central command station on an annual basis? I would also like to know why this resolution doesn’t address any of these issues? Now, do you actually think that this so-called system is going to work here?

Regardless, this resolution states that “management shall implement an assessment in the amount

Resolutions With Bad Solutions

of $1 per convector per month per cooperator for the next five years. Really? Look, in the future, our power plant and our convectors will become obsolete. So, now, what do you think about this resolution?

Resolution #23-10 –

Give Your Apartment Keys To Riverbay

I also have issues with resolution #23-10. Seemingly, this resolution was written so that management can create a depository vault to store all of the keys to our apartment doors. However, we have more than 15,000 apartments here. So, do you honestly think that this concept of storing all of our keys is going to work here?

For instance, all of the keys might be labeled with some type of identification system. So, what are cooperators supposed to do if, no, when their keys get lost? Also, who will be designated to call to tell you that the keys to your apartment were lost? Will the person that finds your keys be able to get into your apartment?

Previously, Riverbay workers installed a bottom lock on your door when you moved here. So, what was one reasonwhy you thought that it was necessary to install another lock on your door? Trust issues? Look, to me, this resolution gets worse because it calls for fines to be issued for non-compliance by an unknown date. Now, what do you think about this resolution?

Management Problems

Depending on how things go, we will probably be getting a new executive general manager around April 2023. Now, based on that entire statement, I can’t disclose his name at this point. Regardless, it seems like some of our managers are reacting to the board’s decision to freeze the former general manager’s position and some other matters. However, does it make sense to act out if you disagree with some board decisions? Can anyone appoint themselves to a general manager position? No!

Look, I’m on the board. And, as you can see, there are many decisions that I don’t like. However, would I ever confront a board director about their decision? No! Would I ever tell

Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society and is observed annually in the month of March. Women are often overlooked in the history and the key roles they played in the founding of the United States and early conflicts.

From Abigail Adams to Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth to Rosa Parks, the timeline of Women’s History milestones stretches back to the foundation of the U.S.

The celebration of Women’s History grew out of a weeklong celebration. It was organized by a school district in Sonoma, California in 1978. Presentations were made by many schools, hundreds of students participated, and a parade was held in Santa Rosa.

In 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Pproclamation declaring the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week. The US Congress followed the next year passing a resolution establishing a national celebration. Six years later, the National Women’s History Project successfully petitioned Congress to expand the event to the entire month of March.

We must never allow our voices to be silent. Women and their stories, both past and present must be told and remembered.

Our stories tell a history full of pioneers who fought for their rights, worked hard to be treated fairly and equally, and made great strides in fields like science, politics, sports, literature and art. These are just a few of the remarkable areas of accomplishment by trail-blazing women.

Let us celebrate us, not only during the month of March, but every day of our lives.

––Joyce L. Duncan

the board that I’m going to move on if I don’t get what I want? Never! So, this type of behavior should not be tolerated here.

Bottom line: How did we get to having 28 departments here? How did our payroll go to $100 million? How is it possible that Riverbay had $65 million in the bank in 2019 and then had only $900,000 in the bank in March 2022? Riverbay also refinanced an incredible 35-year mortgage for $621.5 million at a 2.4 percent rate just to pay for some capital projects. And, now, every penny that we receive is being spent as soon as it arrives. Additionally, why did we receive a 7 percent increase in January 2023?

We make about $250 million a year. Regardless, I have big issues with our finances. So, with these points, I think that it’s time to bring in some new management. Additionally, I think that if some managers would like to go, then please go right now.

Close

The above-cited resolutions will probably be discussed at our next board meeting. Thereafter, I will let you know if they were approved. So, please keep a copy of the newspaper to see how everyone voted for these resolutions.

Thank you.

Contact Information

Please send a letter to: Board Director Daryl Johnson, Riverbay Corporation, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475. Or, you can send an email to me at: djohnson@riverbayboard.com.

Also, please call me ONLY at 718-671-4544 if you would like to have a brief discussion with me. Okay, that’s it for now. So, please have a wonderful week. And, may God bless you and your family. Thank you.

*NEW Carnival Magic – 8 days. Eastern Caribbean, leaving from NYC, Aug. 23, 2023

*NEW Rome & the Amalfi Coast – August 18-27, 2023

Hawaii Three Islands

June 15, 2023

London & Paris

June 3-11, 2023 - 8 days

All Collette tours provide Complimentary round trip pick-up from St. Michael’s Church.

Emergency Food Pantry (Free)

920 Baychester Ave., Bldg. 1A (entrance faces basketball court). The pantry opens Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 11:00 a.m.-12:45 p.m. for grocery distribution. Guests are eligible to pick up food once a month. Look at the last date on your pantry card. The next pick up would be one month from the last pick up or after. It is a 30/31 day rotation, on average. Black Forum will text registered guests if items outside of regular distribution become available.

All guests must present a pantry card to receive food. Remember to bring at least five clean shopping bags with a handle and a shopping cart. Please do not bring black shopping bags because black ink can transfer to the food, posing a health hazard. We require masks and physical distancing.

Section 5 guests should visit the Co-op City United Methodist Church at 2350 Palmer Avenue to pick up groceries. They open on Thursdays from 11:00 a.m.1:00 p.m. Religious affiliation is not necessary to receive food.

New Client Registration and Recertification for Returning Guests

New client registration and recertification for 2023

Broun Place Townhouse Association

Good day, neighbors. We hope you are doing well. Glad to hear that Covid-19 numbers are continuing to decline. We have collected our credit card annual interest summaries to submit them to our accountant; have you? Do not bother collecting your donation amounts as the figure to claim them is much higher now. The law was recently amended. However, in researching I came across this:

“Charitable deduction rules for 2023, a temporary tax law ushered in by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, allowed taxpayers to claim up to $600 in cash donations to qualified charities on their taxes without having to itemize on taxes filed in 2021 and 2022. Internal Revenue Service, noted February 13, 2023.” Our CPA says we are not affected by this. As we learn, we will share.

Congratulations to our Executive General Manager, Bob Klehammer, on achieving a Real Estate Person of the Year award from the Greater New York Chapter of the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM NYC). Thank you to Mr. Klehammer for all you have done here.

We send sincere condolences to the families of those recently injured or killed by gun-toting criminals and to those accidentally killed or injured by others with mental illness. The arrest and pursuit of illegal guns, criminals and the sellers of them, must be continued so we may live in peace.

Broun Place Townhouse Association is looking for residents wanting to serve on the executive board. The secretary’s position and member-at-large are open. An association newsletter for all with your tidings and shoutouts is my goal. Please share your news with us.

Soon, the next Riverbay Board of Directors election will be headlining the Co-op City Times. Candidates will be asking for your signature to get on the ballot, and then the campaigns are underway. Voting is your cooperator responsibility, so prepare to do it.

We attended two community meetings this past week and look forward to, weather permitting, attending another this Wednesday. Congratulations for an excellent Black History Month event to our branch of the NCNW. Subjects covered included historical events, illustrious contributors, nutrition, local poets and even a lovely fashion show.

Reviewing garbage procedures: please dispose of clothes in the bins at Garage #6. Dumpster pad bin rules are as follows: the white bin is for paper, while green and blue are for all other house garbage. Mattresses are required to be covered. Use pedestrian bins and pails for masks. Do not leave bags of clothes on dumpster pads.

Check where vaccine distributions sites are, at: nyc. gov/vaccinefinder, call 877-VAX-4NYC or visit nyc. gov/covidvaccine. Seniors, register with the Riverbay “RUOK” emergency contact program. This is critical for those living alone or with a chronic sickness. Seniors, get involved with JASA.

––Eva Kindaichi-Lazaar

Black Forum

guests is now open. Sections 1-4 guests will register or recertify at the 920 Baychester location, while Section 5 guests go to the Co-op City United Methodist Church. Required documentation is as follows: NY State Driver’s license, NY State Non-Driver’s or NYC I.D (zip code 10475). Passports, Medicaid Cards, Medicare Cards, Job I.D.s and Access Ride I.D.s are not accepted. Recertification is required for all 2022 registered guests wanting to continue visiting the pantry in 2023. These guests must also show the required documentation listed above. Recertification begins January 3 and goes only through the end of April 2023. Guests should apply by the end of April 2023 even if they do not plan to pick up food until later in the year.

All occupants within a household must be present at the time of registration/recertification and show current identification. Household members must all have the same 10475 address. We include only verified occupants on household forms.

Grocery Bags

Black Forum has used orange bags to pack monthly packages for distribution. The cost of the bags has tripled, so the pantry will pack the canned goods directly in bags you provide. Thus, four to six sturdy and clean (non-black) bags are a must on your visit. Please note that we reserve the right to not provide certain items if we believe cross contamination may occur. This is for your safety. Please help us by bringing enough bags.

Defensive Driving Class

Black Forum is not sponsoring in-person defensive driving classes at this time, but an online version of the course is available at the Empire Safety Council website: https://www.empiresafetycouncil.com/. Use the promo code ‘WRIGHT’ to receive a discount.

Contact Us

Reach out to us at coopcityblackforum@gmail. com.

––D. Illis

Director’s Viewpoint – Rod Saunders