Almost 2,000 People To Be Removed From NYPD DNA Index

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Legal Aid Society has called on the City Council to abolish genetic stop-and-frisk after the New York City Police Department (NYPD) recently announced that it would remove some New Yorkers’ profiles from its DNA database. In a memorandum published on its website, the NYPD said it has reviewed approximately 4,000 DNA profiles currently in the City databank and has determined that nearly half of them (1,845) would be removed because the impacted people had not been convicted of a crime. The agency said that it would keep the remainder of these 4,000 profiles in the databank, as the

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Oct. 15, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that New York launched new Domestic Violence Regional Councils that will help transform and modernize delivery of services for victims, survivors and their families. “October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and throughout the pandemic we have seen an alarming rise in domestic violence cases,” the governor said. “These 10 new councils will engage with local experts to help domestic violence survivors and their families.” The governor added that it was also an important reminder for people that they aren’t trapped because of COVID. “If there is an issue where you face imminent

By SÍLE MOLONEY

With the deadline for the U.S Census now set for Oct. 16 at 6 a.m., several Bronx public charter schools are encouraging communities throughout the Bronx to ensure they fill out the census and get counted. Across the country, there are attempts to undercount communities of color and the most vulnerable. The future of the Bronx and of New York City depends on an accurate count of its residents, which will determine how much federal support it receives for the next decade. Now more than ever, the stakes of being counted have never been higher: Nearly $1 trillion in

By SÍLE MOLONEY

A public installation of sculpture by artist, Fran Sisco, is now on view in the Pelham Art Center courtyard. The installation, entitled Nature Culture Sculpture, consists of three found wood assemblage sculptures by Sisco that reflect a message of unity and positivity. The three sculptures, “My Kelly,” “Blessings of Trans Unicorns” and “Two in Love” are in the courtyard through March 2021. The colorful pieces are constructed from dead tree limbs and emphasize the beauty in natural simplicity. Visitors can view the installation outdoors at Pelham Art Center, located at 155 Fifth Avenue, Pelham. Public Art Installation Opening

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio joined the Department of Buildings (DOB), Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) on Oct. 14 to release thorough guidance for city restaurants planning to stay open and serve customers outdoors with heating devices this fall and winter. The announcement furthers New York City’s efforts, laid out in the Mayor’s recovery agenda, to become the world’s capital for healthy outdoor living. In September, the mayor announced that the City’s popular Open Restaurants program will be extended year-round and made permanent. The program, which has enrolled more than 10,500

By DAVID GREENE

A “Justice for Breonna Taylor Rally” was scheduled to be held in the Riverdale section of the Bronx on Tuesday, Sept. 29, but was postponed at the last minute due to expected rainfall. The rally was due to take place at the Bell Tower Park at West 239th Street and Riverdale Avenue in tribute to Taylor, a 26-year-old emergency medical technician. Taylor was shot and killed by police in Louisville, Kentucky when they executed a search warrant on her home earlier this year, on March 13. One police officer was charged with firing recklessly into her apartment, but no

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Department of Sanitation has announced that registration is now open for those interested in working as Emergency Snow Laborers for the upcoming winter season. Emergency Snow Laborers are per-diem workers who shovel snow and clear ice from bus stops, crosswalks, fire hydrants and step streets around the five boroughs after heavy snowfalls. Snow Laborers earn $15 per hour to start, and $22.50 per hour after 40 hours are worked in a week. To better allow for social distancing and COVID-related protocols, those interested in becoming a Snow Laborer must register for a 15-minute application appointment

By SÍLE MOLONEY

At noon on Wednesday, Oct. 14, NYC Census 2020 and partners hosted an emergency virtual press conference to raise awareness about the shortened timeline for the completion of the census which now ends Oct. 15, and to mobilize the community in a final sprint to respond and encourage their neighbors, friends, and family to do so also. On Friday, Sept. 24, U.S. District Court Judge Lucy Koh had ordered the Census Bureau to keep conducting the census count until Oct. 31 but a subsequent Supreme Court ruling allowed the Trump administration to end the 2020 Census on Oct. 15.

By SÍLE MOLONEY

In a stern exhortation on Wednesday, Oct. 14, Council Member Fernando Cabrera warned of the consequences of the departures of Chief of Patrol, Fausto Pichardo, and Chief of Transportation, Nilda Irizarry Hofmann, from the NYPD. On Tuesday, Oct. 13, The NY Daily News announced, according to unnamed sources, that Fausto would be retiring following weeks of friction with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. In a press release, Cabrera said, “There are now no Latinos in the upper levels of NYPD leadership, and I have requested a meeting with Commissioner Shea regarding this matter. This is extremely