By SÍLE MOLONEY
Photo by Alex Kratz
Muggings in Van Cortlandt Park
VCP Alliance officials advised the public in a Nov. 15 social media post that they had learned about a series of muggings that had happened along the southern end of the Putnam Greenway near Van Cortlandt Golf Course in the park. “Please be extra cautious when out in the park, especially as the days get shorter,” they wrote.
Epilepsy Awareness
November was Epilepsy Awareness Month. About one out of 10 people may have a seizure during his or her lifetime. With seizures being common, you may need to help someone during or after a seizure. Montefiore Health System has laid down the general “dos and don’ts” when helping someone who may be having any type of seizure:
- Do not hold the person down or try to stop his or her movements.
- Ease the person to the floor in a clear and safe area.
- Do not put anything in the person’s mouth. This can injure teeth or the jaw. A person having a seizure cannot swallow his or her tongue.
- Turn the person gently onto one side. This will help the person breathe.
- Do not try to give mouth-to-mouth breaths (like CPR). People usually start breathing again on their own after a seizure.
- Stay with the person until the seizure ends, and he or she is fully awake.
Ombudsperson Call Center
Did you know that if you are not happy with NYCHA’s response to your mold or leak complaint, a court-appointed independent Ombudsperson Call Center (“OCC”) is available to help. To learn more about the OCC, visit ombnyc.com or Call 1-888-341-7152.
Small Homes Rehab NYCHA Program
New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) has partnered with local agencies to renovate 18 homes throughout the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens and make them available to public housing residents through the Small Homes Rehab-NYCHA Program. NYCHA partnered with NYC Department of Housing, Preservation & Development (HPD), the non-profit, Restored Homes HDFC, an affiliate of Neighborhood Restore HDFC, and Neighborhood Housing Services of Queens to renovate these 18 homes. The initiative is the latest effort by the Adams’ administration to help communities of color throughout New York City build and maintain wealth through homeownership. For more information, click here.
New Law on Rats
New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed a new set of bills on Friday, Nov. 18, that will create rat mitigation zones and put into law new trash set-out times to reduce the amount of time trash bags sit out on city curbs. For more information, click here.
Complaint Process for Heat or Hot Water
Officials from NYC Department of Housing, Preservation & Development (HPD) have said cold weather is no excuse for a cold apartment. During the day, the inside temperature of residential buildings must be *at least* 68° F when the outside temperature goes below 55°. Overnight, the required minimum temperature is 62° – no matter what.
They encourage residents to contact your building super or landlord before filing a NYC 311 complaint. They said this is the easiest, and often fastest way to resolve housing quality issues.
They said if you cannot get in contact with your property owner, you can file a complaint via 311. They added to make sure to specify the details of the complaint (location, time of day, etc.). They said this helps inspectors get a clearer picture of what issues the unit or building is experiencing. For more information on heat and hot water complaints, visit: https://on.nyc.gov/3GjWexr.
Source: HPD
Space Heater Warning
NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene is reminding New Yorkers that while space heaters may keep toes warm, it was important to remember that they are also a fire hazard. They remind residents to be sure to plug such heaters directly into a wall outlet as opposed to into an extension lead, to place it away from flammable items, and never to hang clothes over it. Learn more at https://on.nyc.gov/2RxNRUY.
NYCHA Heating Complaints
NYCHA officials say the agency remains committed to providing residents with the critical services of heat and hot water. As part of its efforts to improve heating services, NYCHA officials say the agency is modernizing heating controls to prevent overheating, under-heating, and to save energy. They ask NYCHA residents to call the “CCC” at (718) 707-7771 or to use MyNYCHA to report any issues with heat or hot water.
Uncovering the Mysteries of Dyslexia
In this Montefiore Nyack Community Chat, panelists discuss the visual spatial learning style (the dyslexic mind) and how this way of thinking is misunderstood in society.
In this Montefiore Nyack Community Chat, panelists discuss the visual spatial learning style (the dyslexic mind) and how this wonderful way of thinking is so misunderstood in our society. Video courtesy of Montefiore Nyack Community Chat via YouTube
What is RSV?
NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene is also educating New Yorkers on the spread of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), which is a common respiratory virus that often causes mild, cold-like symptoms but may result in severe illness in some people. Anyone can be infected, but RSV can be serious, especially in infants and older adults. Symptoms often include runny rose, sneezing, cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, fever, and decrease in appetite. Learn more at http://on.nyc.gov/rsv.
Myths & Truths of Diabetes
In this Montefiore Nyack Community Chat, panelists discuss the holidays and mood.
In this Montefiore Nyack Community Chat, panelists discuss holidays and mood. Video courtesy of Montefiore Nyack Community Chat via YouTube
Community Holiday Toy Drive
Bronx Community Board 7 is organizing a community holiday toy drive in conjunction with the 52nd Precinct Community Council. See attached flier below for more information.
Flier courtesy of the sponsors
Code Blue
NYC Department of Homeless Services reminded New Yorkers that Code Blue went into effect on Tuesday, Nov. 15 from 8 a.m., when temperatures dropped below freezing. They are encouraging New Yorkers who may see a homeless person outside in frigid temperatures while the Code Blue is in effect, to call 311 to send them assistance.
Scam Alert
The NYPD’s 49th Precinct is reminding Bronxites to be aware of phone scams. “While there are many types, the common threads between them are that they all are unexpected, about some sort of problem/prize, must be handled immediately, and require money to solve,” police said. “If you receive such a call, hang up‼️”
Scammers are always finding new ways of appearing official — to steal your money.
Check out this tip about one common scam.
And, if you think you’ve been the victim of a scam, call 646-610-SCAM. pic.twitter.com/AMTcnJ0fME
— NYPD 52nd Precinct (@NYPD52Pct) November 21, 2022
Farmers’ Market Resiliency Grant Program
The New York State Agriculture Commission announced that $700,000 is available to New York’s farmers’ markets through the Farmers’ Market Resiliency Grant Program. Grant funding will help farmers strengthen their markets and make local food more accessible to consumers by establishing online sales, improving infrastructure, and enhancing marketing and promotion efforts. For more information on the program and how to apply, visit here. The deadline for proposals is Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 at 4 p.m. Applications for funding must conform to the format provided in the Grants Gateway. A webinar with program information took place on Nov. 17.
Abortion Access Hub
NYC Department of Heath & Mental Hygiene (DOH) has launched the NYC Abortion Access Hub, which provides confidential support for anyone seeking abortion services, regardless of where they live. To connect to the Abortion Access Hub, call 1-877-NYC-AHUB. Learn more at https://on.nyc.gov/3h2fQvl.
New Affordable Internet Access Program
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has launched the Affordable Connectivity Program to help connect families and households struggling to afford internet service. Find out how you can immediately save $400 per year. Under this new federal program, you may be eligible for a discount on internet access. Visit https://www.fcc.gov/acp for more information.
Flier courtesy of NYC Mayor’s Office of Contract Services
Contracting with the City
NYC Mayor’s Office of Contract Services has shared a new resource, explaining how interested parties can contract with the City: Your Path to Contracting with the City. Your Path to Contracting with the City is a visual representation of a vendor’s typical roadmap to contracting with the City of New York. Click on the link to be taken to a new resource page with information and links to select learning resources.
NYC Department of Buildings After Hours
Do you have questions about a building project? Drop by NYC Department of Buildings After Hours event to chat one-on-one with DOB experts for solutions and guidance on your project every Tuesday night!
When you need straight answers to your buildings-related questions, sometimes it is better to talk with the experts face to face. That’s why DOB introduced “Buildings After Hours,” a weekly event offering in-person advice and services to New Yorkers every Tuesday at each of its borough offices. Learn more at https://on.nyc.gov/3tm0BAB.
Domestic Workers Rights
The New York City Commission on Human Rights announced that, effective March 12, 2022, New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL) employment protections will apply to…
