CB2 MEETING FEBRUARY 5:
Community Board 2 has scheduled a Regular Monthly Meeting and Public Hearing of the Full Board for Thursday, February 5 at 6:30 pm at Sunnyside Community Services, 43-31 39th Street, Ground Floor.
CB6 MEETING FEBRUARY 11:
Community Board 6 will be meeting on Wednesday February 11, at 7:00 pm at Queens Borough Hall, 120-55 Queens Blvd., Second Floor.
COFFEE AND COMMUNITY WITH RHBA FEB 18:
The Richmond Hill Block Association invites you for Coffee and Community featuring guest speaker Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. on Wednesday, February 18 at 7:00 pm. Join neighbors for an evening of community at 110-08 Jamaica Avenue, Richmond Hill.
MAMDANI UPDATES NEW YORKERS ON SNOW REMOVAL:
Mayor Zohran Mamdani visited a Department of Sanitation (DSNY) snow-melting site yesterday morning to provide an update on the City’s response to last weekend’s winter storm, which brought as much as 15 inches of snow to some parts of New York City.
“Across all five boroughs, we’ve melted 23 million pounds of snow using eight snow-melting sites. Every 12-hour shift, 2,500 sanitation workers are out there clearing bus stops, crosswalks, hydrants, and other critical infrastructure,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “These are tough conditions, and these workers are doing essential work to keep this city moving.”
Mamdani said the city is expanding its response to meet the ongoing challenges posed by freezing temperatures. “There is still more work to do,” Mamdani said. “That’s why we are bringing in hundreds more city workers from outside the Sanitation Department, extending shifts, and deploying emergency equipment to get this done faster and safer.”
How the City is Keeping Our Streets Clear:
DSNY has deployed approximately 2,500 sanitation workers per shift. To speed recovery, the Departments of Parks and Recreation, Environmental Protection, Transportation, and Citywide Administrative Services are assisting sanitation crews. The city has also contracted roughly 500 emergency snow shovelers per day over the past three days. In addition, 100 sanitation workers are operating specialized vehicles, to break up and remove snow ridges that remain frozen due to prolonged cold.
Despite challenging conditions, City workers have cleared more than 13,876 crosswalks, 12,696 bus stops, and 4,486 fire hydrants. Operations continue around the clock. The City has used 116 million pounds of salt to keep roads safe and passable, and, since Tuesday, melted 23 million pounds of snow. Yesterday, eight snow-melting locations – at least one in every borough – were activated to further support snow removal operations.
Thanks to the tireless work of City workers, the City shoveled 100% of bus stops with shelters across the City in the past few days. However, City workers are still out on the streets, working tirelessly to ensure streets remain cleared.
Keeping streets safe is a shared responsibility. Property owners are required to clear snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their buildings. Snow may be placed at the building line or the curbline but not in the street, where it obstructs snow removal operations. Violations will continue to be issued for property owners who fail to comply. Snow or ice conditions on sidewalks can be reported by calling 311. The Mayor urged New Yorkers to remain vigilant as cleanup efforts continue.
RAJKUMAR’S EMERGENCY STATEMENT ON SNOW REMOVAL:
“I am aware of dangerous and unacceptable walking conditions across South Queens due to insufficient snow removal at key location––including the path to PS 62, the school bus stop on Cross Bay Boulevard, and multiple MTA bus stops. I am actively coordinating with the Department of Sanitation and community partners to address these conditions and clear safe, walkable paths as quickly as possible. Ensuring that students can get to school safely, commuters can access transit, and residents can move through their neighborhood without risk is an immediate priority. If you are experiencing a snow removal issue in your area, please contact my office right away. Call or text 347-585-0327 or email grossj@nyassembly.gov. Reports from residents help us target problem areas and respond faster. We are taking action so that South Queens is safe and accessible for everyone.”
CITY MUST DO MORE TO SAVE LIVES:
Community residents call on the City to prevent the freezing death of more New Yorkers. This time right here in Queens at the rear of the NYC Health Center located at 34-33 Junction Blvd. Jackson Heights (opposite 34-21 96th Street). There has been a homeless encampment at this location for over a year and countless complaints to elected officials and agencies alike have resulted in no improvements.
Today’s complaint is on the heels of the 10 recent deaths throughout New York City due to people dying from the effects of frigid weather. One of these deaths was a member of this very homeless clan, freezing to death on a park bench literally 100 feet away from the encampment at Junction Playground on Junction Blvd.
Former State Senator and District Leader Hiram Monserrate stated, “It is outrageous and unacceptable that this homeless encampment has been permitted to exist on this residential block for far too long. Now more than ever with subzero weather and 10 New Yorkers freezing to death since the cold snap, the Mayor must act, NOW! Remove every homeless person off the streets and give them the help they need. This is literally a matter of life or death.”
CABÁN RELEASES STATEMENT ON TRAGIC FIRE ON 35TH STREET:
In response to a tragic death in our community, New York City Council Member Tiffany Cabán released the following statement:
“A member of our community tragically lost their life yesterday in a fire at 31-10 35th Street. Another member of our community was critically injured. On behalf of our entire neighborhood, we extend our deepest condolences to the victim’s family and loved ones. We are praying for a swift recovery for our neighbor in critical condition. Our thoughts are with all those impacted by this devastating loss. We are grateful to the FDNY firefighters, EMTs, first responders, and city agencies who responded swiftly to this incident. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by FDNY Fire Marshals. Our office will continue to share updates with the community as more information becomes available.”
HEVESI STATEMENT ON APPOINTMENT OF STANLEY RICHARDS:
“I would like to congratulate Stanley Richards on his appointment to lead NYC’s Department of Correction and commend Mayor Mamdani on this excellent decision.
“I have been honored and privileged to work alongside Stanley at Fortune Society, to witness firsthand the incredible work from his team, and partner on policy aimed at improving re-entry outcomes for New Yorkers and gearing our systems for true rehabilitation. Stanley brings a rare credibility to this position, and I am encouraged that under his leadership we will move toward a system where safety, accountability, rehabilitation, and humane conditions are not exclusive, but specifically intertwined and where one cannot fully exist without the other.
“I again sincerely congratulate Commissioner Richards on this appointment and look forward to working together on measures to continue strengthening re-entry outcomes, improving conditions for those who are incarcerated, and building a correctional system from a foundation built on public safety and human dignity.”
CABÁN ON APPOINTMENT OF DOC COMMISSIONER RICHARDS:
New York City Council Member Tiffany Cabán released the following statement on Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s appointment of Fortune Society President Stanley Richards to the position of Commissioner at NYC Department of Correction:
“New York is blessed to have Stanley Richards as Commissioner of the Department of Corrections. Rikers Island is a human rights disaster. An institution that denies rights, healthcare, dignity and does very little to prepare our neighbors to come home. Few understand this better than Stanley Richards, who was once incarcerated himself. He has since gone on to do transformative work in our communities, including leading The Fortune Society. As a public defender, I witnessed Commissioner Richards’ leadership up close. As is often said, those closest to the pain are closest to the solutions. I cannot think of a better person to take on what is an immense challenge ahead.”
MAMDANI ANNOUNCES MORE THAN 50,000 3-K AND PRE-K APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED:
Applications for 3-K and Pre-K open for all families through February 27
Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that more than 50,000 families have applied for 3-K and Pre-K since applications opened on Jan. 14, 2026. The announcement came during a visit to a home-based child care provider in Manhattan’s Chinatown. Home-based child care providers are eligible 3-K providers and offer culturally and linguistically responsive care for families across the city. The visit marked one of the first times in recent years that a sitting mayor has visited a home-based child care provider, underscoring the Mamdani administration’s commitment to supporting community-based and home-based child care providers.
“Every child deserves access to free, high quality childcare – and we’re making sure families across the city know that now is the time to enroll in 3-K and pre-K,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Over the past few weeks, we’ve left no stone unturned in getting the word out, and the strong response so far shows that families are ready. Applications are still open through Feb. 27, and we encourage every eligible family to apply.”
Families can apply by visiting myschools.nyc, calling 718-935-2009 or visiting one of the city’s 13 Family Welcome Centers. “These numbers show what we already know – New York City families understand the power of early childhood education,” said Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. “High-quality 3-K and Pre-K programs give our youngest New Yorkers a strong foundation for learning while supporting working families across the city.”
Applications remain open through Feb. 27, 2026. All families with eligible children are encouraged to apply at myschools.nyc.gov or by calling 718-935-2009. Support is available in multiple languages. Applications are not accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, and any family that applies by the deadline will receive an offer. The City’s Family Welcome Centers are open Monday through Thursday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Families can call 718-935-2009 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
ADDABBO DONATES COATS TO NEW YORK CARES:
Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. partnered with New York Cares for its annual coat drive, providing warm clothing to those in need this winter season. Addabbo’s Chief of Staff, Raimondo Graziano, presented approximately 150 coats to a representative from New York Cares on January 22, 2026.
“Every winter, the very generous constituents of my district go through their closets and bring in their gently used coats to help countless New Yorkers prepare for the harsh cold,” Addabbo said. “By partnering with New York Cares, we are taking a proactive step to ensure more New Yorkers are prepared to handle dropping temperatures.”
NYPD ANNOUNCES FEWEST SHOOTING INCIDENTS FOR JANUARY:
Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch today announced that the NYPD delivered the safest January ever for gun violence, with the fewest shooting incidents and shooting victims in recorded history. The city saw 40 shooting incidents and 47 shooting victims, compared to the previous all-time lows of 50 and 56, set in 2025 and 2019, respectively. Murders declined to their lowest level for January, shattering the previous record of 22 set in 2018 and 2022. Manhattan and Staten Island went the entire month without a single murder.
Retail theft fell 16% in January as a result of the department’s data-driven strategy, while School Safety Zones reduced overall crime by more than 50%.
These results drove an overall decline in major crime and continued the historic reductions achieved in 2025.
“For the first month of the year, the women and men of the NYPD delivered the fewest shooting incidents, victims, and murders in recorded history,” said NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “These results show that this department remains focused on building on the historic public safety gains made last year. Our strategy is simple: don’t just get tough on crime, get smart. And deploy the best police officers in the nation to get it done and make New York safer.”
The NYPD continues to combat violent crime and shootings through its Winter Violence Reduction Plan, which deploys up to 1,800 uniformed officers to nightly foot posts across 64 zones in 33 precincts, public housing, and the subway system. Since its inception in January, major crime is down 36.3%.
Citywide, overall major crime was down 6.7% (8,338 vs. 8,940) and across several categories.
Shooting incidents declined in January by 20% (40 vs. 50) and shooting victims declined by 30.9% (47 vs. 68).
Murders plummeted by a staggering 60% (12 vs. 30), marking the fewest for January in recorded city history. Murder declined in every single borough.
Burglary fell 27.8% (854 vs. 1,183), marking the fewest burglaries ever for any January in recorded history.
Robbery declined 9.9% (993 vs. 1,102).
Auto theft fell 4% (867 vs. 903).
Grand larceny declined 2.3% (3,376 vs. 3,454).
Felony assault decreased 2% (2,069 vs. 2,111).
In addition to declines in major crime, retail theft fell 16% (3,844 vs. 4,596), despite typically rising during the winter months. The decline reflects the department’s focused approach: identifying the patterns driving these crimes, concentrating resources at high-propensity locations during peak hours, and shifting from pass-through enforcement to sustained investigation.
To protect and keep young people safe, the NYPD implemented School Safety Zones at the start of the school year, modeled after its Violence Reduction Zones. These zones concentrate on the areas where young people are most at risk – commuter corridors, bus stops, and the routes to and from school. Since their inception in September 2025, overall crime is down 56.1% (90 vs. 205), shooting incidents are down 76.9% (3 vs. 13), and shooting victims are down 80% (3 vs. 15).
Crime in New York City’s public housing decreased 12.9% (398 vs. 457). Since January 15, there has not been a single recorded shooting incident in housing developments across all five boroughs.
Below ground, transit crime increased slightly for the month of January by only 10 crimes, or 6.1% (174 vs. 164). These numbers followed a historic year of record lows in transit crime set in 2025. Outside of the COVID years, only three past Januarys were safer than January 2026.
Rape incidents increased by 6.4% in January compared to last year (167 vs. 157). The rise in reported incidents since September 2024 is partly attributed to legislative changes which rightfully broadened the legal definition of rape in New York State to now include additional forms of sexual assault. Domestic-violence-related rapes continue to contribute to the rise in rape incidents, accounting for roughly half of all reported cases in January. To address this rising issue, the NYPD launched the Domestic Violence Unit, the largest of its kind in the nation, with 450 fully dedicated investigators focused on these cases, strengthening relationships with survivors, and receiving enhanced training. The NYPD continues to encourage survivors of sexual assault to come forward and report these incidents.
The number of bias incidents investigated by the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force increased by 152% (58 vs. 23). Specifically, anti-Jewish hate crimes increased by 182% (31 vs. 11), which accounted for more than half of all the hate crime incidents in January.
HOCHUL LAUNCHES HEALTH CARE ACCESS LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM:
Governor Hochul today announced the launch of the Health Care Access Loan Repayment (HEALR) program. Governor Hochul has been laser-focused on protecting health care access and reinforcing resources that will strengthen our health care workforce. Governor Hochul is launching a $48.3 million student loan repayment initiative designed to expand access to care for NYS Medicaid members and uninsured individuals across New York State. The HEALR program will provide significant financial incentives to health care professionals who commit to serving high-need populations, addressing critical workforce shortages while reducing barriers to essential health services in underserved communities.
“Health care is a fundamental human right, and every New Yorker deserves access to high-quality affordable care,” Governor Hochul said. “This program will expand health care access statewide while strengthening our workforce, ensuring our health care professionals are empowered to provide care to anyone in need, regardless of their income status.”
While New York State has made significant strides in expanding health care coverage, statewide workforce shortages in the health sector mean that even those with coverage may struggle to get the care they need. To address this, New York is relying on two initiatives through its federal 1115 waiver aimed at bolstering the health care workforce in underserved areas. In late 2024, the State launched the Career Pathways Training (CPT) Program, with $646 million in federal funding for tuition, textbooks, and education and career supports for health, behavioral health and social care workers who make a three-year commitment to serving Medicaid members.
To date, the CPT program has already recruited nearly 12,000 participants. In late summer, the HEALR program will award $48.3 million in loan repayment for psychiatrists, primary care physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners and pediatric clinical nurse specialists who make a four-year commitment to serving Medicaid members. Taken together, these two initiatives represent a nearly $700 million investment in strengthening New York’s health workforce and ensuring that New Yorkers have timely access to the care they need.
Application Timeline and Information
Applications are currently open. Individuals that are currently employed or whose jobs will commence by the time awards are initiated are eligible. There are two application pathways for the HEALR program: individual providers may apply on their own or employers that have been approved as service commitment sites may initiate up to five applications on behalf of their staff.
Individual and employer applications can be accessed on the program website at health.ny.gov/HEALRProgram. Employer applications will close at 11:59 p.m. on March 31, and individual applications will close at 11:59 p.m. on April 15. Awards are expected to be announced in late summer 2026. Updates will be posted on the program website.
Further details regarding the award decision process, including anticipated timelines and subsequent steps, will be communicated to applicants following the close of the application period. Awards are limited; those interested in participating in the program are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.
Questions or inquiries about the HEALR program may be directed to HEALR@health.ny.gov or via the program website at Health Care Access Loan Repayment (HEALR) Program.
PHEFFER AMATO ENACTS MANDATORY TAX EXEMPTION FOR 100% DISABLED VETERANS:
New York State Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato secured the passage of an amendment to her pro-Veterans legislation to ensure certain Veterans get a 100% property tax deduction. Pheffer Amato, who has a record of being one of the strongest supporters of Veterans in the State Legislature, had her original bill (A.74, 2025) signed into law at the end of 2025 which created a new property tax exemption for 100% disabled Veterans. The legislation, which has been considered the top priority of nearly every NYS-based Veterans group for years, was noted as a major success for the Assemblywoman. During the final weeks of 2025, the Assemblywoman and Governor Hochul spoke about the potential to amend the bill, also known as a Chapter Amendment, in order to ease the process for those who will benefit.
According to the new bill, A.9448, instead of allowing localities to choose to opt into enacting property tax exemptions for 100% disabled Veterans, Governor Hochul and Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato agreed to remove the “red tape” and mandate the exemption in all localities. This change clarifies that a Veteran who is declared 100% disabled (via criteria and standards implemented by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs) must be provided a full property tax exemption by the locality. It further states that this property tax exemption shall not discontinue any other benefits a Veteran is already receiving.
“I applaud the Governor for being proactive and giving our Veterans this benefit now by cutting the red tape,” said Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato. “Our goal was to openly thank the men and women who served our nation, and in the course of their duty obtained a 100% service-connected disability. Through this amendment, we are easing the financial burden on our heroes by removing all property taxes and making it clear that in New York we take care of our Veterans, because they took care of us!”
“For Veterans living with the most serious service-connected disabilities, their home is where stability begins,” said New York City Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner James Hendon. “This bill ensures that once a Veteran qualifies for this property tax exemption, it is applied fully and without disruption—so Veterans can count on it, and their homes remain protected.”
The bill is set to go into effect October 2026. It was carried in the State Senate by Senator Joe Addabbo.
DVS HOSTING BLACK HISTORY MONTH VIRTUAL PROGRAM:
The New York State Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) will host a special Black History Month virtual program, The Weight & The Witness: Honoring Black Veterans Through Story, Poetry, and Living Memory, on Friday, February 6, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This reflective and powerful program will honor the legacy, resilience, and lived experiences of Black Service Members across generations through film, spoken word, artistic expression, and dialogue. The special event is free and open to the public.
Moderated by Dr. Lessie Branch, Special Assistant for Community Engagement at the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services and an award-winning scholar, author, and advocate, The Weight & The Witness centers the voices and stories of those whose service has too often gone unseen, yet whose contributions have profoundly shaped our nation.
“Black History Month is a time not only to remember history, but to bear witness to lived experience,” said New York State Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner Viviana M. DeCohen. “This program honors Black Service Members whose courage, sacrifice, and stories deserve to be uplifted, preserved, and shared. At DVS, we remain committed to serving All Who Served and ensuring that every story matters and every voice is heard.”
“This program is about truth, dignity, and recognition,” said Executive Deputy Commissioner Joel Evans. “By honoring Black Service Members through story and memory, we strengthen our collective understanding of service and reaffirm our responsibility to ensure equity, access, and belonging for all who served.”
Dr. Branch emphasized the transformative power of storytelling: “Bearing witness is an act of respect and an act of justice,” said Dr. Lessie Branch. “This gathering invites us to listen deeply, honor legacy, and carry forward the stories of Black Service Members whose lives and service continue to positively shape our communities and our country.”
All are welcome to attend DVS’s Black History Month program as New Yorkers come together to honor service, legacy, and living memory. Register: https://tinyurl.com/dvsevents
JULIE WON LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN FOR CONGRESS IN NY-07:
Council Member Julie Won announced her campaign for Congress in New York’s 7th Congressional District, running on the platform she calls a “Lifetime of Care” — a vision for the country that supports working families from birth through retirement. She announced over $700,000 in pledges as of Monday, Feb. 2.
“Here’s what I believe: from the moment you’re born until the day you retire, your country should have your back,” said Council Member Won. “That’s not how it works right now. We live in a society built to extract, not to care. You’re treated as valuable only when you’re most productive. The moment you’re not — when you’re too young, too old, too sick, too tired — you’re on your own. Parents can’t find affordable childcare. Seniors are warehoused or forgotten. Workers are one illness away from losing everything. Immigrant families are being ripped apart by ICE. I’m running to build a ‘Lifetime of Care’ — to move us away from a profit economy towards a care economy, where success isn’t measured by how much we take from people but by how well we take care of each other.”
PIA RAHMAN ANNOUNCES RUN FOR STATE ASSEMBLY IN DISTRICT 37:
Community organizer and healthcare worker Pia Rahman today announced her candidacy for the New York State Assembly in District 37, entering the Democratic primary ahead of the June 2026 election. A native New Yorker raised by immigrant parents from Bangladesh, Rahman is a graduate of New York City public schools, including CUNY and SUNY. She is running on a progressive platform focused on housing stability, climate resilience, safe streets, reliable healthcare, public transportation as a public investment, and a fair tax system. “As a kid who survived traffic violence and later as a healthcare worker during the pandemic, I saw firsthand how policy decisions shape people’s safety, health, and dignity,” Rahman said. “I’m running to bring that lived experience to Albany and fight for solutions that make life more stable, fair, and affordable for Queens families.”
MAMDANI SIGNS EO TO REQUIRE CHIEF SAVINGS OFFICERS ACROSS CITY AGENCIES:
Mayor Zohran Mamdani today signed Executive Order 12 to designate an existing senior employee as “Chief Savings Officer” at every city agency and strengthen the long-term performance of city government. The Chief Savings Officers will report directly to the head of the agency and will have 45 days to review agency operations, determine services that deliver the strongest results for New Yorkers, and locate opportunities to streamline processes and eliminate waste. Chief Savings Officers will help protect the city services that New Yorkers rely upon and improve the efficiency of city government for years to come.
“Delivering public goods requires public excellence. That means a government that respects New Yorkers by using every dollar wisely. By designating a Chief Savings Officer at every agency, we’re taking direct aim at waste, cutting through bureaucracy, and making city services work. These Chief Savings Officers will help ensure that every dollar we spend is in service of a safer, cleaner, and more affordable city––and that our government meets the standard New Yorkers deserve,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani.
Under Executive Order 12, each city agency will have five days to appoint a Chief Savings Officer and ensure they are empowered with the relevant staff and data to meet Mayor Mamdani’s mandate. Chief Savings Officers will have 45 days to complete a comprehensive assessment of their agency’s spending––analyzing the most expensive programs to understand major drivers of cost as well as the highest-performing programs to register services with clear and meaningful results. Additionally, they will determine opportunities to consolidate services, insource programs, and reduce wasteful expenses such as duplicative programs.
Chief Savings Officers will present their findings to the Offices of the First Deputy Mayor and Budget Director. In order to meaningfully stabilize the City’s finances and lay the foundation for lasting government excellence, Chief Savings Officers will not focus on one-time accounting measures but rather on recurring savings and sustainable efficiencies. Additionally, Chief Savings Officers will complete updated assessments every six months, evaluating progress and identifying new opportunities for savings and efficiency.
HOCHUL ANNOUNCES MTA RECORD CAPITAL COMMITMENTS IN 2025:
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) made a record $15.8 billion in capital commitments in 2025, marking the largest single-year investment in transit infrastructure in the agency’s history. The commitments advance critical accessibility upgrades, state-of-good-repair work, and major megaprojects across the system, including more than $5 billion made possible through Congestion Relief funding. Projects advanced also included the first round of investments made possible by the MTA’s historic 2025-2029 Capital Plan, which was fully funded by Governor Hochul and the state legislature in the FY26 Enacted State Budget.
“New York is investing in transit like never before, with record levels of investment being made to upgrade our existing system and to bring better transit to more communities,” Governor Hochul said. “The historic year for capital investments at the MTA — including $5 billion in projects made possible by congestion pricing — will improve the commutes of millions of New Yorkers and will ensure that this lifeblood of the entire region is able to deliver for riders for years to come.”
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, “This record year of commitments cements C&D’s status as a top-tier infrastructure developer. New Yorkers want to know where congestion relief revenues are going — the answer is right back into the transit system with new train cars, modern signals and more ADA elevators. Thank you, Governor Hochul!”
The MTA also awarded a significant $166 million contract for engineering and design of the Interborough Express last August, which advanced the project from planning to active phase. The MTA’s 2025-2029 Capital Plan includes $2.75 billion for this transformative transit expansion project between Brooklyn and Queens.
In addition, 2025 saw progress on the MTA’s new 2025-2029 Capital Plan. This includes new contracts for over 300 new train cars on the Long Island Rail Road and the exercise of an option to purchase 270 additional electric buses for the NYC Transit bus fleet.
*** Crime Blotter ***
DA KATZ, NYPD & AG REMOVE MORE THAN 100 GUNS, INCLUDING 10 ASSAULT WEAPONS
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that 124 guns were collected Saturday at the Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Southeast Queens during a gun buyback event. The weapons were exchanged for bank cards pre-loaded with cash. The event was completely anonymous, with no identification required and no questions asked.
The buyback served as the 12th such event of DA Katz’s administration and marked the largest collection of guns to date. A total of 741 firearms have been recovered since 2020.
District Attorney Katz said: “Gun buybacks serve as a critical tool for reducing gun violence and promoting public safety within our communities. This Saturday, working in partnership with the NYPD, Attorney General Letitia James, and Rev. Dr. Frankco J. Harris, we received 124 surrendered guns, including 10 automatic weapons – a record-breaking total for this office. As a result, these firearms will not be used for harm in our neighborhoods. My office has hosted a dozen such programs and each one has been effective in helping reduce crime and making our neighborhoods safer. I thank our partners and members of the public for yet another successful event.”
New York State Attorney General Letitia James said: “Every gun removed from Queens on Saturday is a step in the right direction to protect families and community members from gun violence. My office thanks the Queens District Attorney’s Office and the New York City Police Department for their commitment to being a part of the solution against gun violence. We will continue to empower New Yorkers to turn in unwanted firearms and keep their neighbors safe.”
The guns turned in were: 49 pistols, 44 revolvers, 10 assault weapons, 5 derringers, 5 rifles, 1 shotgun, 10 others (imitation guns, bb guns, etc). The event was co-sponsored by the NYPD and the Office of New York State Attorney General Letitia James.
DA KATZ ANNOUNCES PADLOCKING OF FOUR ILLEGAL CANNABIS STOREFRONTS:
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the third phase of a sweeping enforcement action against illegal cannabis storefronts in the borough. Dubbed Operation Weed Whacker, the months-long investigation included undercover buys and resulted in the padlocking of four locations, seven arrests, and the seizure of hundreds of pounds of illicit cannabis and tobacco products. Two of the locations were found to have intricate traps to hide the contraband with one location storing the product behind a false TV and another using a fake electrical panel as an entryway to a storage room.
District Attorney Katz said: “Unregulated cannabis stores sell products that pose a great danger to the surrounding community, and the store owners are now trying to escape accountability by hiding the contraband using trapdoors. Many of these items are designed to mimic popular brand-name candies, deliberately enticing young people. My office, working closely with our law enforcement partners, will continue to shut down these operations so that residents are protected and legitimate operations can thrive. I thank the members of my Crime Strategies and Intelligence Bureau, Detective Bureau, and our partners at the New York City Sheriff’s Office and the NYPD for their continued work on this operation.”
DA Katz said that a series of coordinated enforcement operations were recently carried out between November 24, 2025, and January 16, 2026, at five locations in Queens. The locations that were searched and padlocked are:
Love Story at 241-20 South Conduit Avenue in Rosedale
Cloud Corner at 47-03 Francis Lewis Boulevard in Auburndale
Oakland Smoke Shop at 215-09 73rd Avenue in Oakland Gardens
18506 Convenience & Smoke Shop at 185-06 Horace Harding Expressway in Fresh Meadows
The Deli & Grocery Store Inn Linne at 184-19 140th Street in Rochdale was issued a summons.
Seven defendants from the five locations were arrested and charged with varying crimes related to criminal possession of cannabis.
A total of 100 pounds of cannabis flower, 56 pounds of cannabis vapes, 68 pounds of cannabis edibles, 204 pounds of illegal flavored tobacco vapes, and 149 pounds of other tobacco products were seized from the five locations.
This operation is part of the District Attorney’s ongoing effort to rid Queens of illegal cannabis dispensaries, whether operating out of trucks and vans or brick-and-mortar commercial locations.
Since November 2022, enforcement operations have resulted in the prosecution of 457 individuals for felony-related charges related to the sale and/or possession of cannabis or controlled substances in Queens.
A total of 335 shops in Queens County have been padlocked since May 2024 through the assistance of the New York City Sheriff’s Office, the NYPD and the New York State Police Troop NYC – Queens Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
DEFENDANT ARRAIGNED ON HATE CRIME CHARGES:
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Eric Zafra Grosso was arraigned on assault as a hate crime and related charges for allegedly attacking a man who was wearing a yarmulke and walking at the intersection of Queens Boulevard and Yellowstone Boulevard on Tuesday. The unprovoked attack was preceded by antisemitic slurs.
District Attorney Katz said: “The defendant is charged with felony hate crime charges for allegedly attacking a man wearing a yarmulke and spewing antisemitic slurs at the victim. The gravity of this alleged assault is compounded by the fact that it occurred on International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Anti-Jewish hate crimes account for far too many bias-motivated incidents across our city, and my office will use every tool at its disposal to hold perpetrators accountable. We will continue working with our communities to ensure Queens remains a place where everyone can live openly and without fear.”
Grosso, 32, of Corona, was arraigned on a criminal complaint charging him with assault in the third degree, assault in the third degree as a hate crime and aggravated harassment in the second degree. Queens Criminal Court Judge Sharifa Nasser-Cuellar ordered the defendant to return to court on March 16. If convicted of the top charge, Grosso faces 1-1/3 to 4 years in prison.
DA Katz said that, according to the charges and investigation, on January 27, between 2:20 p.m. and 3 p.m., the defendant approached the victim at the intersection of Queens Boulevard and Yellowstone Boulevard in Forest Hills. The victim, a rabbi in the Bukharian Jewish community, was wearing a yarmulke. The defendant allegedly stated “F*ck Jews” and punched the victim on the face and chest, causing the victim to fall to the ground. Grasso was arrested shortly afterward by members of the NYPD’s 112th Precinct inside the Forest Hills-71st Continental Avenue subway station.
MASPETH MAN CONVICTED OF MURDER:
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Olmedo Osorio was convicted of murder in the second degree for the fatal stabbing of 55-year-old Freddy Jimenez during an argument at a Woodside bus stop in September 2022. The men had been inside the same bar shortly before the altercation.
District Attorney Katz said: “This defendant brutally and repeatedly stabbed a man at a Woodside bus stop, with one knife wound landing in the victim’s heart. Olmedo Osorio’s actions have caused unimaginable grief and trauma for the loved ones of Freddy Jimenez. With this jury conviction, the defendant now faces up to 25 years to life at his sentencing.”
Osorio, 50, of Maspeth, was convicted by a jury late yesterday afternoon of murder in the second degree, tampering with physical evidence and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. Trial openings began on January 14 and summations took place on January 23. The jury deliberated for approximately three hours before reaching a verdict yesterday. Queens Supreme Court Justice Mary Bejarano set sentencing for February 26 when Osorio faces 25 years to life in prison.
DA Katz said that, according to the charges and trial testimony, on September 19, 2022, at approximately 1:45 a.m., Osorio and victim Jimenez were both patrons inside Pasiones Sports Bar on 69th Street in Woodside. The defendant ordered a beer but did not have enough cash to pay for it. The bar staff told Osorio that he could have the drink but then had to leave afterward because he could not pay. The defendant attempted to order another drink, did not have money to pay, and at approximately 2:19 a.m. was told by the bar manager to leave the premises.
The victim did not interact with the defendant while both were inside the bar.
At approximately 2:38 a.m., Jimenez left the bar and walked to a nearby bus stop. The defendant was seated at a bus stop across the street and the two exchanged words. The victim then walked across the street and approached the defendant, who stood up and pushed the victim. The two got into a physical altercation and Osorio stabbed Jimenez seven times. The defendant fled the location and discarded the knife behind a nearby house.
Jimenez was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The Office of Chief Medical Examiner determined that Jimenez suffered seven stab wounds, one of which penetrated his heart and caused his death.
NJ MAN INDICTED FOR ASSAULT STEMMING FROM 2023 HIT-AND-RUN:
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today that Moustafa Taher was indicted for assault, reckless driving, leaving the scene and other crimes for a motor vehicle collision that took place on November 18, 2023, at the intersection of 29th Street and Broadway in Astoria. Taher struck the victim, who was operating a motorcycle, and seriously injured him. At the time of the incident, the defendant’s driving privileges had been suspended on three occasions for failure to answer a summons.
District Attorney Katz said: “As alleged, this defendant was driving with a suspended license, speeding and blowing through red lights when he hit a motorcyclist in Astoria and took off. He then filed a false police report claiming that his car had been stolen to evade responsibility. A long-term investigation by my Vehicular Homicide Unit led to the defendant’s identification and apprehension in New Jersey. He was extradited to Queens to face the serious charges leveled against him by a grand jury.”
Taher, 21, of Rochelle Park, NJ, was arraigned yesterday on a 16-count indictment charging him with assault in the second degree, leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, tampering with physical evidence, falsely reporting an incident in the third degree, reckless endangerment in the second degree, reckless driving, two counts of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree, two counts of operating or driving a motor vehicle without a license, two counts of failing to obey a traffic control device, failing to stop at a steady red signal, operating a vehicle at unreasonable speed, driving in excess of the maximum speed limit and failing to stop at a sign. Queens Supreme Court Justice Michael Hartofilis ordered the defendant to return to court on March 5. If convicted, Taher faces more than 15 years in prison.
District Attorney Katz said that, according to the charges and investigation, on November 18, 2023, at approximately 5:44 p.m., Taher was driving a 2022 Volkswagen Atlas SUV bearing New Jersey license plates at a high rate of speed northbound on 29th Street in Astoria. Taher allegedly ran multiple steady red lights. As Taher approached Broadway, he again passed through a steady red light and struck the victim, Deivy Lemus Bustamante, 26, who was traveling eastbound on Broadway on a 2023 Yamaha motorcycle.
Bustamante was ejected from the motorcycle and landed at the opposite corner. He was immediately transported to a local hospital suffering from severe head and torso trauma. Bustamante sustained multiple injuries including a cervical spine fracture and is currently unable to walk without the assistance of a cane.
Taher continued traveling down 29th street and did not stop or render aid to the victim. Debris from Taher’s vehicle, including a license plate, was left behind at the scene. The vehicle was then abandoned in the vicinity of the Brooklyn Queens Expressway in Woodside. Taher allegedly walked away from the vehicle with another individual and got into another SUV.
At approximately 6:46 p.m., Taher called 911 and reported that the Volkswagen had been stolen from the vicinity of 19th Avenue and 45th Street in Astoria. The Volkswagen, which had been rented by Taher’s mother, was recovered a few hours after the collision in Woodside, missing its front license plate. The vehicle’s data recorder showed it had been going 43 mph at the time of the collision. The speed limit on 29th Street was 25 mph.
At the time of the incident, Taher’s license had been suspended three times and he was not legally allowed to drive.
BROOKLYN MAN INDICTED FOR ATTACK ON COUSIN:
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Jonathan Velez was indicted on assault and reckless endangerment charges for punching his cousin after the two got into an argument on Rockaway Boulevard in Ozone Park in August. Velez allegedly knocked his 39-year-old relative to the ground and while the victim was unconscious, the defendant went through his pockets and then fled the scene. The victim was later run over by a passing vehicle and seriously injured.
District Attorney Katz said: “As alleged, the defendant cruelly delivered a knock-out punch to his own cousin and then brazenly rummaged through the unconscious man’s pockets and car before leaving him for dead in the middle of Rockaway Boulevard. The 39-year-old victim was later hit by a passing car and remains hospitalized with a multitude of injuries. Our thoughts are with the victim and his family as he recovers from this brutal act.”
Velez, 45, of Brooklyn, was arraigned Wednesday before Queens Supreme Court Justice Toni Cimino on a three-count indictment charging him with assault in the first and second degrees and reckless endangerment in the first degree. Justice Cimino ordered the defendant to return to court on March 9. Velez faces up to 25 years in prison, if convicted.
District Attorney Katz said that, according to the charges and investigation, on August 2, 2025, at approximately 4:10 a.m., Velez was coming from a birthday party in Manhattan with his cousin, Manuel Rivera, 39, of Queens, and was driving Rivera’s car. At approximately 4:27 a.m., Velez parked the car on Rockaway Boulevard in Ozone Park. Velez and his cousin were engaged in a verbal dispute that became physical. The defendant then allegedly punched Rivera, which knocked him to the pavement. Velez went through his cousin’s pockets as he appeared unconscious and then rummaged through the vehicle before fleeing the scene. The victim was left lying in the middle of the street. Minutes later the victim was run over by a passing vehicle. Rivera was immediately transported to a local hospital where he was treated for internal bleeding, a fractured skull, and a loss of teeth. He currently remains in the hospital and is unresponsive.
The defendant was apprehended Wednesday morning on 127th Street in Kew Gardens.
—With contributions by Augusta Luger
This column was originated by John A. Toscano.