WATER WAIT
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City Completes Phase II of Broad Channel Storm Infrastructure Project
By Michael V. Cusenza
A dozen years after Superstorm Sandy nearly wiped out Broad Channel, the City on Friday announced the completion of a $51 million infrastructure project that raised streets, installed new storm sewers and reconstructed bulkheads in the South Queens neighborhood.
The project, which the City Department of Design and Construction managed for the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Transportation, was completed on schedule and $4 million under budget.
Broad Channel is surrounded by Jamaica Bay and is one of the lowest-lying areas in the five boroughs, susceptible to storms and regular tidal flooding. In August 2020 the City completed Phase I, a similar project, at a cost of $46 million.
As with Phase I, the project raised roads by approximately three feet and reconstructed over 140 residential driveway areas to match the elevation of the new raised streets. Four new bulkheads were installed at the end of streets to protect them from the waters of Jamaica Bay.
To manage stormwater, over 3,000 feet of new storm sewers were installed. Approximately 3,500 feet of water mains and
over 3,000 feet of sanitary sewers were also upgraded. Eight catch basins were replaced and 12 new catch basins were installed in the middle of the roads to divert water away from the properties and into the bay through the newly installed storm sewers.
The project also enhanced safety for pedestrians and drivers by upgrading pedestrian ramps, curbs, street lighting, signage and traffic signals. A new shared sidewalk design similar to Phase I allows
narrow streets to work as both vehicle pathways and wider pedestrian areas with flushed curbs to better manage rainwater. Roadway surfaces were enhanced by using specially scored, pigmented walkways to improve the durability of rigid concrete sidewalks.
In total, one acre of asphalt plus 31,000 square feet of sidewalk was replaced in the area, and nearly 17,000 square feet of new sidewalks were installed. To enhance fire
protection, 14 fire hydrants were replaced and two new hydrants were installed.
“The residents of Broad Channel regularly experience firsthand what it’s like to be on the front lines of our changing climate,” said DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “On one of the lowest-lying areas in the city and surrounded by Jamaica Bay, the area often deals with tidal flooding caused by rising sea levels and severe storms. This negatively impacts quality of life, disrupting daily schedules and causing property damage. Together with DDC, DOT, local elected officials, and community leaders, we have built infrastructure in this area as resilient and strong as its residents! New sewers, catch basins, bulwarks, and raised roads will work together to drain the water away from the roadways, and protect homes and businesses.”
City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (ROzone Park) added, “I was proud to join the Broad Channel Civic Association and others to officially cut the ribbon and unveil the latest resilience measures in Broad Channel this morning. The street raising here will go a long way towards mitigating the flooding that so many Broad Channel residents have dealt with for years, and will go a long way towards improving life for those in the community.”
Council Holds Hearing to Discuss Impacts of Hospital Closures
By Michael V. Cusenza
Over a decade after several busy borough hospitals were shuttered, the City Council held an oversight hearing on the impacts of such closures on Gotham residents.
Officially, Tuesday’s inquiry focused on the potential closure of Mount Sinai Beth Israel in Manhattan and SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn. During the hearing, the council advanced a resolution urging Gov. Kathy Hochul to pass
legislation that would require additional levels of public notice and engagement when a general hospital seeks to close entirely or reduce maternity, mental health or substance use care, according to an amNewYork report.
“New York City needs a robust, inclusive approach to healthcare planning that prioritizes equitable access and reinforces our hospitals’ ability to serve our growing population. Today, we are here to send a clear message: healthcare is not optional, and every
New Yorker deserves access to the medical care they need close to home,” said Councilwoman Lynn Schulman (D-Forest Hills), chairwoman of the Health Committee.
Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park), who took part in Tuesday’s proceedings, said the predicament sheds light on a city already bursting at the seams.
“What I am getting from listening to the testimonies here is proof that we simply cannot pile more people into this city, as the City of Yes plans
to do. We are already lacking in hospital beds here in the outer boroughs. The plans to force new housing through in every nook-and-cranny of this city is only going to make this problem exponentially worse,” she wrote on Twitter.
The infamous Queens hospital closures left the borough reeling—and the 2020 pandemic brought the issue back to the fore. St. John’s Queens Hospital and Mary Immaculate Hospital ceased operating in 2009. Peninsula Hospital Center closed in 2012.
Photo Courtesy of DDC
The project continues a shared sidewalk design that was first implemented in phase one, with new storm sewers, curbs, pedestrian ramps, signage and crosswalks.
Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Ariola
The council oversight hearing on Tuesday at City Hall.
Photo Courtesy of Google
St. John’s Hospital on Queens Boulevard closed 15 years ago.
Pill King Made Millions off Opioid Crisis
By Forum Staff
On Tuesday, Michael Kent was sentenced in Brooklyn federal court to nine years in prison for his role in recruiting sham patients, paying off complicit pharmacists and illegally distributing oxycodone throughout the city in a narcotics conspiracy based in nearby East New York.
Kent pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone in September 2023. Kent also paid $635,875 in forfeiture in advance of his sentencing, prosecutors noted.
As set forth in the indictment and publicly filed documents, between December 2018 and October 2022, Kent and his co-defendants operated a drug distribution ring out of a medical practice on Linden Boulevard in East New York. Together, they unlawfully distributed more than 11,000 prescriptions for oxycodone, amounting to more than 1.2 million oxycodone pills, which carry a street value of at least $24 million. They made millions of dollars from the scheme. Nine defendants have been charged in this matter, including one doctor and four Brooklynbased pharmacists. In addition to Kent, five co-defendants have pleaded guilty. Three codefendants are scheduled for trial in January 2025.
As part of his role in the scheme, Kent recruited approximately 45 sham patients who were prescribed more than six kilograms of medically unnecessary oxycodone over a four-year period. Kent paid these individuals for the use of their names, picked up the oxycodone from pharmacists, whom he paid off, and sold the oxycodone to dealers for distribution on the street. Kent then laundered the drug proceeds through a shell company he created called “Michael’s Cleaning Service,”
using the money to buy three buildings in New York City. When he was arrested in October 2022, law enforcement officers recovered two loaded firearms from his home and seized thousands of dollars in cash.
“The opioid epidemic has destroyed countless families and communities in our district, New York City and across the country,” said Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Breon Peace. “The proliferation of pill mill clinics, like the medical office involved in this case, significantly contributes to the opioid crisis. Today’s sentencing holds the defendant accountable for his role in callously diverting highly potent and addictive drugs from medical offices to the streets of New York.”
Oxycodone (pictured) is a highly addictive opioid used to treat severe and chronic pain conditions. Every year, millions of Americans abuse oxycodone, and the misuse of prescription painkillers like oxycodone leads to hundreds of thousands of annual emergency room visits. More than 14,000 Americans died from prescription opioid overdoses in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Oxycodone prescriptions have enormous cash value to drug dealers. For example, one oxycodone 30 mg tablet, which was the dosage prescribed in this case, can be sold by dealers on the street for between $20 and $30 in New York City.
“Michael Kent knew the harmful effects of his pill mill scheme, and knowingly jeopardize the health and safety of those individuals he profited from, all while exacerbating the opioid crisis. Today’s sentencing sends a clear message to those individuals putting profits over human lives and looking to capitalize from the illegal sale of addictive opioids,” said DEA New York Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino.
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Photo Courtesy of DEA
A total of nine defendants have been charged in this case, including one doctor and four pharmacists.
By Bobby Eustace
The Forum rarely endorses a candidate for any public office. However, our fraught political climate and c ircumstances necessitate a call to action.
The race for Assembly District 23 is a crucial one for this community. Incumbent Assemblywoman S tacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach) and Republican challenger Tom Sullivan have previously tussled on the stump and at the ballot bo x. In January 2023—two months after election night and following a manual recount and several court filings—Pheffer Amato prevailed over Sullivan and was re-elected to represent the 23rd District. The assemblywoman secured another term in A lbany by just 15 votes.
This election cycle feels different. These times, and this campaign t o represent Howard Beach, Broad Channel, and parts of Ozone Park and the Rockaways, ARE different.
Pheffer Amato won the seat in 2016 and was easily re-elected in 2018. The 2022 marathon will largely be remembered for its legal backa nd-forth. In 2024, she’s clearly running on her record, all while fending of f wholly unnecessary—and, at
Editorial: A Clear Choice
times, tasteless and infantile—mud mortars slung from certain corners of the district.
That legislative record, and her grace under heavy fire from seasoned borough political figures, has impr essed The Forum.
Pheffer Amato has:
• P assed the bill that requires all insurance companies in New York to cover reconstructive surgery or aesthetic flat closure (a flat chest option) after a mastectomy
• E nsured that all the widows/ widowers and domestic partners of fire fighters will always have health insurance
• R emoved the fees for any State civil service exam
• C odified heart disease protection for any and all uniformed officers, meaning that if at any point a uni formed officer has a heart-related illness (on the job or retired), it will be assumed to have occurred due to work-related-business and treatment will be covered
• C hanged the State law to give judges back the authority to set bail by removing the “least restrictive clause” meaning judges have full a uthority when sentencing a criminal
• P rovided a final salary increase for NYPD officers, and a 24-pe rcent increase in the budget of State Troopers
• S ince 2017 has been responsible for the annual increase in STEM ( Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) funding for nonpublic schools, increased security f unding for nonpublic schools, and created the first ever arts reimbursement program for nonpublic schools
• H elped to secure $13 billion for NYC public schools, the largest investment ever in public education
• F ought to stop childhood drowning by creating the first-ever commission to prevent childhood drowning
• P assed the law to require parents of newborn children to watch a br ief video on the dangers of childhood drowning
• E xpanded the State Child Tax Credit
• P assed the bill that secured that survivors of the 9/11 terrorist attack will be able to apply for unlimited line of duty sick leave from work
• P assed the bill that requires a moment of silence on Sept. 11 in every public school in New York to honor the lives lost
• R evived the New York State 9/11 Task Force which focuses on the health impacts of exposure to the chemicals and toxins, regulations for accidental disability retirement benefits, and protects pension be nefits for first responders who participated in the rescue, recovery and cleanup efforts at the World Trade Center
• H elped to prevent State property taxes from increasing in 2023 and 2024
• E xpanded the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge Rebate program to all Queens residents with an EZ -Pass
• R esolved over 10,000 constituent cases since 2017
• P rotected IRMAA (Income Related Monthly Adjustable A mount) reimbursement with Medicare
• S topped cuts to Medicare and increased Medicaid reimbursement
• A llocated over $200 million for wage increases for home service workers and $10 million for expanded in-home services
F or all of the above, The Forum is endorsing incumbent Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato.
Adams Lauds E-Bike Trade-in Program
new
By Forum Staff
Mayor Eric Adams recently announced final rules governing the City’s first-in-the-nation municipal trade-in pilot program for unsafe electric bikes and other electric-powered mobility devices and their batteries.
The rules will allow eligible food delivery workers to replace their unsafe devices with certified, high-quality e-bikes and lithium-ion batteries. The program is part of the Adams administration’s “Charge Safe, Ride Safe: New York City’s Electric Micromobility Action Plan” to promote public safety as e-bike usage continues to skyrocket and will help reduce the risk of deadly e-bike fires, often caused by uncertified lithium-ion batteries, as well as enhance street safety by getting faster and heavier illegal mopeds off city streets.
Currently, many food delivery workers utilize uncertified e-bikes and heavier electric and gas-powered mopeds, which cannot be registered with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles due to the lack of Vehicle Identification Numbers. DOT’s e-bike trade-in program — the nation’s first municipal program of its kind — will focus on exchanging unsafe e-bikes and lithium-ion batteries for new devices. The $2 million trade-in program was established in response to Local Law 131 of 2023, sponsored by Councilman Keith Powers (D-Manhattan). The e-bikes provided will be UL-certified, the nationally-recognized standard for e-bike safety and performance. Selected participants will receive a UL-certified e-bike and two compatible, UL-certified batteries in exchange for their unsafe devices and batteries. By swapping these illegal devices for UL-certified e-bikes and batteries,
the program will reduce fire and crash risks, help participants comply with local and state laws, and encourage workers to utilize cleaner and greener forms of e-mobility for deliveries.
The program offers trade-ins of both e-micromobility devices and lithiumion batteries to help ensure that unsafe batteries and devices are fully removed from New York City streets, and that batteries are compatible with the devices they are powering. El igible participants must reside in New York City, be at least 18 years of age, own an eligible working device, and have earned at least $1,500 in 2024 as a food delivery worker. Participants will receive two batteries because many delivery workers report that a full day of work often requires the use of two batteries. DOT will launch a public awareness campaign to share more details about the program among eligible applicants, who can start to apply in early 2025.
“Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries have already taken far too many lives in our city, so we need to do all we can to prevent further tragedies,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “The trade-in program now being launched will take uncertified and unsafe e-bikes and lithium-ion batteries out of service so they will no longer be a threat to the public. I encourage all those eligible for this program to take advantage of it and do their part to keep our city and its residents safe.”
At this time last year, New York City had experienced 224 lithium-ion battery-related fires resulting in 122 injuries and 14 deaths. So far, in 2024, there have been 222 fires, 88 injuries, and four fatalities caused by lithium-ion batteries, according to administration officials.
The Pharmacist’s Corner
Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph
WHEN THE SWELLING GETS TOUGH DEALING WITH EDEMA
Many people suffer from swelling of the feet and ankles, a painful and difficult chronic condition. While there are many reasons for such swelling, some of them can be treated through the use of compression socks and/or medications and supplements, while others could signal serious medical problems involving the heart, lungs, kidneys or thyroid. Make sure you investigate the source of the edema you are facing and work with your doctor and your pharmacist to relive the swelling and prevent it from recurring. Swollen feet can be caused by excessive accumulation of fluid in the tissues, generally painless, usually found in older people, overweight persons, pregnant women or a consequence of long periods in standing or sitting position. Here are some of the actions that you can take to reduce the swelling: --Put a pillow under your legs when resting to keep the feet in a higher position than the rest of the body --Wear elastic stockings that your pharmacist can help you choose according to measurements and degree of compression --Do not spend too much time seated or staying in the same position --Exercise can reduce
swelling of the legs. Blood flows naturally from the legs to the heart. Exercises stimulates normal blood circulation. --Raising the legs above the heart- -promotes blood circulation to the brain --Weight loss-obesity slows blood circulation in the entire body. Losing weight helps blood to circulate better and can reduce inflammation in the extremities. --Reduce salt intake and adopt a balanced diet Finally you can try these two fairly successful home remedies: Applications with vinegar – alternation, one hot, another cold is an alternative treatment for leg swelling. Mix two equal parts of water and vinegar soak a towel, and apply for 7-10 minutes. Repeat 2-3 times. --Boil 250 ml water, 1 / 2 tablespoon molasses 1 tablespoon anise. Keep it boiling until only a half of the mixture will remain. Drink this mixture in three or four rounds during the day as it can reduce swelling of the feet, provided it is not triggered by a chronic disease. Remember if the swelling persists or is accompanied by other symptoms like shortness of breath or any discomfort in the chest, seek medical help immediately.
Lindenwood Loves Renovated Playground
Elected officials, Lindenwood community leaders, and area residents on Monday cut the ceremonial green ribbon on the newly renovated Harold Schneiderman Playground at 155th Avenue between 84th and 85th streets near PS 232. “Families in this community and students of PS 232 have waited a long time for this day, and I’m proud to have helped make it happen!” City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) said.
Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Ariola
Photo Courtesy of Mayoral Photography Office
The
rules will allow eligible food delivery workers to replace their unsafe devices with certified, high-quality e-bikes and lithium-ion batteries.
Assemblywoman Honors City Auxiliary Cops
By Forum Staff
Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach) this week honored the contribution to public safety from NYPD Auxiliary police officers and the nearly 60 years of service from the Auxiliary Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York as she awarded the union an official State proclamation.
Pheffer Amato thanked all the auxiliary
cops who “perform their duties as volunteers, placing them among the most distinguished and valuable individuals in service to the people.” She also praised the union for fearlessly defending auxiliary police officers who are often local residents who go through specific training to directly assist the NYPD and help protect their communities.
“Auxiliary police officers are some of the most civic-minded New Yorkers who
take on heroic responsibilities in support of the well-being of their communities. They assist the amazing NYPD in so many ways. This is a special way to say thank you to all of New York City’s Auxiliary police officers, while also celebrating the union that has defended and represented them fearlessly,” Pheffer Amato said.
The assemblywoman also announced the allocation of $250,000 in capital funding to the Auxiliary police units of the
106th, 100th and 101st precincts. “In a time when there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day, APO’s throughout our city find a way to commit more than a million hours of volunteer time to this incredible work. They want to help protect our community which is truly honorable. By allocating this funding to each precinct’s Auxiliary unit, I’m making sure they have the resources they need to help the NYPD and get the job done right,” she added.
Meng Awards $150K in Federal Funding to St. Francis Prep
By Forum Staff
Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing) announced on Tuesday that she has awarded $150,000 to St. Francis Preparatory School in Fresh Meadows.
The funds will allow the school to make additional security improvements to help ensure the safety of students, faculty and staff. The money is allocated through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program which is
designed to pay for safety measures that help guard against threats and attacks.
“Safety must always be a top priority in our communities, especially at our local schools, and this grant will go a long way towards keeping everybody at St. Francis Preparatory School more secure,” said Meng, NY’s senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. “The Nonprofit Security Grant Program is a key initiative to enhance safety, and in Congress, I’m proud to have helped increase funding for it over the years
so that this crucial money can make its way to schools and nonprofits in our borough. I look forward to these funds benefiting St. Francis Prep for years to come.”
St. Francis is an independent Catholic college preparatory school. It includes 2,450 students in grades 9-12. Opened in 1858, the school has been in its present location at 61-00 Francis Lewis Blvd. since 1974.
“This grant will have a profound impact on our school’s ability to maintain a safe learning environment, providing our students, staff,
teachers and families with peace of mind,” said St. Francis Prep Principal Patrick McLaughlin. “With these resources, we are better equipped to implement new safety protocols and security measures that prioritize the protection and comfort of our school community. I thank Congresswoman Meng for her commitment to our school and for recognizing the importance of secure educational spaces. We look forward to continuing our partnership with her to foster a positive and safe environment for all of our SFP students.”
Photo Courtesy of Rep. Meng Rep. Meng presenting $150,000 to St. Francis Preparatory School.
Photo Courtesy of Rep. Meng
The funds will allow SFP to make additional security improvements at its Fresh Meadows campus.
Photo Courtesy of Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato
APBA Director of Government Affairs Lewis Sterler accepts the proclamation from Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato.
Photo Courtesy of Google
The assemblywoman also announced the allocation of $250,000 in capital funding to the Auxiliary units of the 106th (pictured), 100th and 101st precincts.
Job Fair Set to Return to Resorts World Casino
By Forum Staff
State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Woodhaven) is bringing his free job fair back to South Ozone Park next month.
The event, which is co-sponsored by the Queens Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Resorts World Casino. Job seekers are encouraged to dress in professional attire and bring multiple copies of
their resumes to distribute to potential employers.
Companies, organizations, recruiters, and agencies across the Tri-State area are invited to participate in the job fair free of charge. Each registered entity will have an assigned table with chairs and may request access to a power source.
Resorts World offers free parking directly across from the casino entrance, and the venue is fully wheelchair accessible.
In New York State, the unemployment rate is at 4.4 percent, higher than the national rate of 4.1 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“This is a highlight of my annual calendar, and I’m deeply thankful to our host site, Resorts World Casino, and cosponsor the Queens Chamber of Commerce for their support in creating job opportunities for our community,” Addabbo said. “Facilitating employment for individuals is one of the most signifi-
cant roles I play as an elected official. I urge anyone seeking a job to attend the job fair and explore all the available options. Over the years, many constituents have returned to share their success stories after finding jobs at this event, and there’s truly no greater satisfaction than that.”
For more information, including the names of which companies are participating, contact Addabbo’s office at (718) 738-1111.
Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo
Addabbo at last year’s job fair at Resorts World Casino.
Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo
The senator called the fair “a highlight of my annual calendar.”
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Suspects used Iron Pipeline to Bring 184 Guns to Queens: AG
By Forum Staff
State Attorney General Tish James on Friday announced the indictments of three men for their roles in a gun-trafficking operation that smuggled 184 firearms into Queens via the infamous Iron Pipeline.
The 579-count indictment charges Deundre Wright, 22, Abner Sparkes, 31, and Ethan Charles, 22, all borough residents, with trafficking and selling numerous assault weapons, semiautomatic pistols, revolvers, high-capacity magazines, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. An investigation led by the Attorney General’s Office recovered 184 firearms from the operation, which transported weapons from Goldsboro, N.C. to New York City where they were sold.
The investigation revealed that from March to July 2024, Deundre Wright was responsible for sourcing firearms in North Carolina and trafficking them to Queens where they were sold. Wright would travel by bus from Chinatown in Manhattan to North Carolina and back, storing the firearms in luggage during the trips. After transporting the guns
to New York, Wright stored them at friends’ homes in Jamaica, including in cars parked at the homes. Wright would set the prices for the firearms ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 per gun, and provide them to Abner Sparkes, who would meet a customer for sales at 115th Road and 222nd Street in Cambria Heights. Sparkes would meet the customer in a car, conduct the sale, and then bring the cash back to Wright who was parked nearby monitoring the transactions.
On Aug. 8, 2024, investigators detained Deundre Wright and Ethan
Charles in Manhattan while they were exiting a bus carrying suitcases and other luggage. Investigators seized 41 firearms, including four shotguns and an inoperable rocket-propelled grenade launcher in their luggage.
The indictment charges the three men with multiple crimes, including criminal sale of a firearm in the first degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the first degree, and conspiracy in the fourth degree, among other charges, for their participation in the illegal gun trafficking operation.
“The majority of guns used in crimes in New York City are illegally trafficked from other states with lax gun laws along the Iron Pipeline and are fueling deadly gun violence in our communities,” James said. “This investigation shut down a major gun trafficking operation that brought a flood of dangerous weapons, including assault weapons, from North Carolina into New York City in the span of just a few months. I will continue to use every tool at my disposal to keep New Yorkers safe and get illegal guns off our streets. I thank our partners in this investigation for their work to stop gun violence.”
City Interim Police Commissioner Tom Donlon added, “Today’s charges are a stark reminder that high-powered, illegal firearms continue to proliferate and circulate in our communities, and that NYPD investigators and our law enforcement partners are doing the dangerous work of preventing them from getting into criminals’ hands on the streets. Disrupting and dismantling gun trafficking networks is a top priority for our city.”
If convicted, Wright, Sparkes and Charles face a maximum of 25 years in prison.
Adams Announces new Suite of Benefits to Help Make it Easier for City Employees to Build a Family
By Forum Staff
Mayor Eric Adams on Monday announced a new suite of employee benefits to increase access and support for tens of thousands of city workers in building a family. Now, members of the “Management Benefits Fund” — which provides benefits to approximately 27,000 non-union employees and retirees — will be eligible for “Family Building Benefits” that provide up to $10,000 in reimbursement for costs associated with adoption, surrogacy, and egg or sperm donation.
This marks the first time a major U.S. city has provided these benefits to municipal employees and is similar to benefits increasingly being provided by private-sector companies and universities, Adams noted.
While New York City’s Health Benefits Program currently provides coverage for fertility treatments, including up to three cycles of in-vitro fertilization, for employees and their covered beneficiaries, services such as surrogacy and sperm/egg donation involving individuals not covered by an employee’s health insurance benefits are not included, and there is no benefit to defray the costs of adopting a child. To ensure that more New York City employees have the resources they need to start a family, the Adams administration established this
benefit for both employees and retirees who are members of the Management Benefits Fund.
This benefit will provide up to $10,000 in reimbursement for costs such as adoption agency fees, legal fees associated with adoption or surrogacy, fees to a surrogate, costs of transferring an embryo to a surro-
gate, costs an employee incurs for medical costs of the surrogacy, and costs of procuring donor sperm or eggs. The policy will help employees across city government, including those that are members of the LGBTQ+ community and their families.
“To be the greatest city in the world, you have to attract and retain the greatest
talent in the world, and that means making New York City the best city in the nation to build and raise a family,” said Adams. “Our administration continues to put working people first, and today’s announcement is another example of how we are making it easier for families to afford to grow and live here. With this new benefit, we are giving up to $10,000 to reimburse costs for nonunion employees associated with adoption, surrogacy, and egg or sperm donation — making New York City the first major U.S. city to provide this benefit to their employees and helping employees across city government build the families they want. Our mission is to make New York City a more affordable, and safe city, and this announcement is yet another historic example of how we are delivering on that mission.”
Councilwoman Lynn Schulman (DForest Hills), chairwoman of the Health Committee, added, “This initiative not only affirms our commitment to fostering family growth for all, but also positions New York City as a pioneer in equitable and inclusive employee benefits. Every individual and couple, including those who are LGBTQ+, deserve the opportunity and resources to build a family. I am very proud to take this positive life-changing step forward, together with Mayor Adams and his team.”
Photo Courtesy of AG James Firearms and ammunition recovered by the investigation.
Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office
Mayor Adams called the announcement a step toward “making New York City the best city in the nation to build and raise a family.”
Fourth Person Indicted in Douglaston Home Invasion
Burglary and Kidnapping
By Forum Staff
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz on Friday announced that a fourth person has been indicted in connection with a violent home invasion in Douglaston in August.
Oneil Thompson is alleged to have acted as a getaway driver for three men – Jone Smith and brothers Ryan and Brandon Dash – who were indicted and arraigned last month for allegedly strong-arming their way into the residence and holding a family hostage.
Thompson, 45, of Cambria Heights, was arraigned Friday on a 41-count indictment charging him with seven counts of kidnapping in the second degree, six counts of burglary in the first degree, three counts of robbery in the first degree, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, six counts of burglary in the second degree, five counts of robbery in the second degree, five counts of assault in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, grand larceny in the third degree, three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.
According to the indictment and investigation, on Aug. 17, 2024, at approximately
2:15 a.m., video surveillance showed three masked men arriving in a large white van driven by Thompson to the home on 247th Street in Douglaston. Thompson stayed behind while Smith, Ryan Dash and Brandon Dash entered the home and awakened two adults at gunpoint. The homeowners were sleeping in the room with their 1-year-old child.
Around 2:30 a.m., video surveillance depicted the white van’s lights flicker on and off and Thompson exiting the driver’s side door, while the three co-defendants remained inside the home.
The trio allegedly physically restrained the occupants of the home and demanded to know the location of any money in the house. One of the men allegedly bran-
dished a gun, while two others displayed a hammer and a crowbar. More than $20,000 in cash was taken from the homeowners.
A mother escaped the home with her infant through a bathroom window and immediately placed a 911 call. Responding police officers determined that three men, as well as four adult hostages and two children, remained inside the house. The masked trio was then seen climbing out of a window.
Police arrested the three men following an extensive manhunt in the vicinity of the house. Two of the hostages were taken to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries. The stolen money and a loaded firearm were recovered after the arrests.
A later search warrant of the white van revealed that the vehicle was registered to Thompson. He allegedly fled the scene and returned to Cambria Heights. After an extensive investigation by the DA’s Office and City Police Department, cell site records placed Thompson in the vicinity during the commission of the crime and showed him communicating with one of the defendants inside of the home. Detective Savvas Tjortjoglou apprehended Thompson on Oct. 24, 2024, at the 111th Precinct.
If convicted of the top count, Thompson faces a potential maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
Baltimore Men Indicted for Fatal Shooting in Connection with Bayside Marijuana Deal
By Forum Staff
An indictment was unsealed last week in Brooklyn federal court charging Jerome Waters, also known as “the Engineer,” Calvin Israel and William Barnett for their alleged roles in the kidnapping, robbery and fatal shooting of a victim in Bayside on July 25, according to prosecutors.
Waters and Israel were arrested last Wednesday in Maryland and will be arraigned in Brooklyn at a later date. Barnett remains at large.
“As alleged, the defendants’ premeditated robbery and kidnapping that resulted in a violent death, demonstrates the significant threat of guns and drugs in our communities,” said Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Breon Peace. “This Office continues to work nonstop with our law enforcement partners to hold these drivers of violent crime accountable and remove their means to wreak havoc.”
As alleged in court fi lings, the defendants are members of a Baltimore-based violent robbery crew that conspired to commit an armed robbery and kidnapping of marijuana dealers in Bayside. On the night of July 24 and into July 25, the defendants drove up from Maryland to New York City for the purpose of kidnapping and robbing at gunpoint John Doe #1 and
John Doe #2, who were both drug dealers. Once in New York, Waters and Barnett met with John Doe #1 and John Doe #2 at a stash house in Bayside under the guise of purchasing marijuana.
Moments later, Waters and Barnett pulled out guns and held up John Doe #1 and John Doe #2. Next, they invited their co-conspirators into the stash house to assist in the robbery and kidnapping. While
in the stash house, Waters, Israel, Barnett and their co-conspirators tied up John Doe #1 and John Doe #2 with zip ties and forced them outside and into the back of a Jeep and a U-Haul van at gunpoint. At the same time, the defendants and their co-conspirators stole approximately 30 pounds of marijuana from the stash house.
The defendants and their co-conspirators drove John Doe #1 and John Doe
#2, who were still tied up, through the borough at gunpoint, demanding drugs and money. Israel drove the U-Haul van containing John Doe #1, who was shot to death multiple times in the head in the back of the U-Haul van. When his body was found by first responders, John Doe #1 still had a zip tie binding one of his hands and was surrounded by bags of marijuana. After the shooting, the defendants fled back to Maryland.
If convicted, Waters, Israel, and Barnett each face mandatory sentences of life imprisonment.
“The three defendants allegedly orchestrated the kidnapping and armed robbery of two individuals in the illicit drug trade, culminating in the murder of one victim. These alleged actions incorporated unnecessary terror and brutality to accomplish their greedy plot,” said FBI NY Assistant Director in Charge James Dennehy. “With assistance from our law enforcement partners, the FBI will continue its mission apprehending all interstate travelers who pollute our city with drugs and gun violence.”
City Interim Police Commissioner Tom Donlon called the arrests “another example of police and their federal partners’ unrelenting pursuit of crews that monetize drugs and brutality.”
Photo Courtesy of Google
In August, three masked men entered a home on 247th Street and held its occupants hostage.
Photo Courtesy of Google
The body of a borough drug dealer was found in the back of a U-Haul van on 208th Street in Bayside.
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