Safety

UPDATE: DOB/DSNY Issue Advice to New Yorkers after Historic Citywide Flooding

By SÍLE MOLONEY
NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) advised building owners and property managers on Thursday, Sept. 2, to take added precautions when surveying damage at their properties, after historic and deadly floods inundated neighborhoods across the city overnight.   Officials said heavy flooding conditions have the potential to cause structural damage, undermining concerns, hazardous mold, and deterioration of building electrical and gas plumbing systems, all of which can pose a serious hazard to New Yorkers entering flood-damaged buildings.   Buildings Commissioner Melanie E. La Rocca said that while the worst of the flooding has thankfully subsided, it doesn’t mean that the potential


Read More

FURTHER UPDATE Acting MTA Chair: New Yorkers Should Not Attempt to Travel Amid Tropical Storm Ida

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Janno Lieber, acting MTA chair and CEO has instructed New Yorkers not to attempt to travel until further notice amid Tropical Storm Ida, while Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a state of emergency, as did New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. The mayor made the announcement late Wednesday evening, while the governor confirmed the announcement via Twitter shortly after midnight on Thursday, Sept. 2. Later, on Thursday morning, Lieber provided a statement on the impact of the storm, which was also classified as a hurricane that hit Connecticut and New Jersey on Wednesday.   I am declaring a state of


Read More

MTA Shares Preliminary Findings of Recent Subway Power Outage Investigation

By SÍLE MOLONEY
    The MTA shared its preliminary findings on Wednesday, Sept. 1, of its investigation into the recent power outage which caused widespread subway service disruption on Sunday evening, Aug. 29, with half of the subway network impacted, including subways lines 1 through 7, as well as the LIRR.   Newly appointed New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul provided a brief overview of the situation, which she described as an unprecedented system breakdown, on Monday morning at a press briefing. The service disruption which caused substantial panic among New York City commuters, as reported by various news outlets. She said


Read More

Bronx Zoo Helps Coordinate Transfer of Pet Cougar Living in New York City Home to Arkansas Sanctuary

By SÍLE MOLONEY
An 11-month-old, approximately 80-pound, female cougar was removed from a New York City home on Thursday, Aug. 26. in coordination with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the Bronx Zoo.   The HSUS was on scene with the owner who surrendered the cougar to the authorities. The NYSDEC and NYPD worked to coordinate the safe removal of the big cat from the home and transported her to the Bronx Zoo where she was cared for by veterinarians and animal care staff over the


Read More

Williamsbridge: Search for Missing 85-Year-Old Man

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The New York City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating William Mayers, 85, of 3831 Barnes Avenue in the Williamsbridge section of the Bronx who has been reported missing in the 47th precinct.   It was reported to police that Mayers was last seen in his home on Monday, Aug. 30, at 10.15 p.m. He is described as male, Black, 85 years old, is 5 feet, 7 inches tall, weighs 160 pounds, has brown eyes, is bald and was last seen wearing a navy blue T-shirt with white lettering, green pants and black shoes. Mayers also answers


Read More

Pending Arrival of Tropical Storm Ida Tail End, Travel Advisory in effect Sept. 1 to Sept. 2

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York City Emergency Management (EMS) is issuing a travel advisory for Wednesday morning into Thursday morning. According to the National Weather Service, remnants of Tropical Storm Ida will track near the region Wednesday afternoon into Thursday, bringing a period of heavy rain and potential flash flooding to the region, the bulk of which will occur overnight.   The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for New York City from 8 a.m. Wednesday, September 1, until Thursday, September 2, at 2 p.m. A total of 5 to 6 inches of rain is expected, with higher amounts of


Read More

UPDATE: DOT Calls for Expansion of Speed Cameras in School Zones following Bronx Fatal Crash

By SÍLE MOLONEY
NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Hank Gutman is calling for the expanded use of cameras in school zones, following two fatal crashes which occurred over the weekend, one on East Fordham Road in the Bronx and one in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn.    Under prevailing State legislation, cameras in school zones can only legally operate between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., Monday to Friday.   “This weekend saw two high-speed, fatal crashes on our streets, both of which occurred within school zones, near speed cameras we aren’t legally allowed to operate,” said Gutman. “Once again, we urge the


Read More

Archdiocese of New York Shares Catholic Schools Reopening Plan

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of New York are preparing for schools to be fully open for in-person learning in the fall with no remote or hybrid learning. On Thursday, Aug. 12, the superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of New York released “Catholic Schools Are Open: We Continue to Soar!”, a guide which lays out the Archdiocese’s plan which representatives say aims to ensure the maximum health, safety, and care for children and staff in September.   According to the archdiocese, the updated manual, distributed on Thursday to parents, principals, school staff and faculty, is based on an international


Read More

DOT Announces Launch Date of E-Scooter Pilot Program in the East Bronx

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) announced Thursday, Aug. 12, the official launch of the city’s e-scooter pilot program in the East Bronx. Bird, Lime and Veo, the three companies participating in the pilot program, will bring up to 3,000 e-scooters to the East Bronx during Phase 1 which starts Tuesday, Aug. 17, with an increase to as many as 6,000 in the second phase next year.   According to DOT officials, both the department and each e-scooter company underwent an extensive community engagement process to locate sites for the e-scooter parking corrals and to educate the public about


Read More