HEVESI’S LEGISLATION ADVANCED IN THE LEGISLATURE:
Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi announced that two pieces of legislation he authored advanced in the New York State Legislature this past week – the SAFE Shelter Act (A.3264B), which passed both houses, and A.8248, legislation to strengthen oversight of New York City’s child welfare system. The latter passed the Assembly unanimously.
SAFE Shelter – which passed the Senate on May 13 and the Assembly on May 14 – represents the top concern that had been raised by domestic violence shelter providers with Hevesi’s office. The bill was the primary topic of a hearing Hevesi held in October to identify how the state can better support survivors and keep providers sustained financially. As a result of the hearing, SAFE has been amended to phase in the smoothing over of the payment differential to address Governor Hochul’s concerns in her veto message.
Once signed, SAFE would require that New York reimburse DV shelter providers for payment differentials when a single adult is housed in a shelter room designed for double occupancy. The current structure does not allow for this – which advocates argue creates a financial penalty for serving single survivors – limiting available placements for tens of thousands of survivors, with serious financial impacts placed on providers as well.
Hevesi’s other bill – A.8248 – passed the Assembly unanimously after Hevesi had elaborated on the bill during an Assembly floor debate. The bill will authorize the New York City Department of Investigation to access child welfare records held by the Administration for Children’s Services – with the goal of increasing interagency transparency, accountability, and ensuring best practices are used when protecting children and families.
“I am extremely grateful to our partners at DOI as well who not only raised the premise for A.8248, but have remained instrumental in its drafting and advocacy. We have encountered no opposition from either side of the aisle and expect this bill will be signed into law.”
WON INTRODUCES LEGISLATION FOR AI OVERSIGHT:
Council Member Julie Won introduced legislation that will establish the Office of Artificial Intelligence Oversight within the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. If you’ve ever been scammed by an AI-generated ad, denied a service by an algorithm, or felt that technology was against you, this new office will be your place to file a complaint and get accountability. Through this new bill, the city can stay ahead of the problem by issuing public advisories and recommending new rules as AI continues to evolve. “We cannot let corporations use AI as a tool to exploit New Yorkers; this is how we start building the government’s capacity to fight back.”
MENG ADVANCES MEASURE ON TOXIC FOOD DYES:
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng’s (D-NY) bipartisan provision holding the Food and Drug Administration accountable for phasing out toxic petroleum-based food dyes passed the House Appropriations Committee as part of the FY 2027 Agriculture Appropriations Bill.
The amendment requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to report to Congress on any action taken by the agency to phase out or assist states in phasing out food dyes, including: Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Orange B, and Citrus Red 2. Republican Chairman Andy Harris supported the measure and thanked Congresswoman Meng for bringing this issue to the attention of the committee.
Speaking before the Appropriations Committee, the Congresswoman said, “Last year, HHS Secretary Kennedy announced he and the FDA would work together to phase out petroleum-based dyes from our food supply, which I think is a good idea. That’s why I introduced my Ban Harmful Food Dyes Act, which would codify a ban on those dyes…Even other countries have banned these dyes or placed stricter requirements on their use than we do…. The UK has totally banned Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6. Concerningly, FDA and HHS have been pulling back from their commitments…My amendment would simply request a report on the steps the Food and Drug Administration has taken to phase out the exact same dyes it already committed to phasing out. It’s the same list.”
CABAN ON THE BUDGET:
Council Member Tiffany Caban on the Mayor’s budget: “My north star whenever I’m considering the budget is whether this budget makes our community more affordable, healthy, safe, and livable. Like so many of you, I was excited when Mayor Mamdani unveiled his priorities for implementing universal childcare, investing in the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, and creating a network of public grocery stores.
“After months of organizing by community members demanding to tax the rich, the Governor acquiesced on a tax on second homes worth over $5 million in the city that will bring in $500 million, along with a more fair distribution of state funding to the city. The City Council and the Mayor also have worked together to find opportunities for savings to close the budget gap.
“This is just the beginning, and even so, it’s enabling us to achieve crucial wins. The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection is getting new budget lines to enable them to enforce the laws designed o keep New Yorkers safe and healthy at work and to hold the largest companies accountable. The budget also fully funds the New York Against Hate policy platform which will invest in data-driven, proven, non-carceral strategies to combat antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of hate. We’re also seeing historic investments in public housing to enable vacant units to be fixed up and filled to reduce the waiting time for those who need housing.
“We still have a lot of work ahead. The budget won’t be finalized until the end of June and as Co-Chair of the Progressive Caucus, I’m doing everything I can to make sure that this is a budget that delivers for working class New Yorkers. Part of that is our work on Rentals Within Reach, a proposal to speed up getting folks into vacant NYCHA units. We’re continuing to demand that the state build on the pied-á-terre tax to make sure that the wealthiest individuals and corporations pay their fair share. As the Chair of the Mental Health and Substance Use Committee, I’m fighting to include investment in housing, and wraparound services for those struggling with mental health and substance use. Part of that is working with my colleagues to shift resources away from the failed and dangerous systems of policing and incarceration towards services that actually keep us safe by tackling the root issues of poverty, violence, mental health, and substance use.
“The budget is a complex issue, but one that impacts how each and every one of us lives, whether we’re a parent, a NYCHA tenant, a teacher, a delivery driver, or a commuter. My team and I are committed to engaging with constituents and making this process accessible to folks. So if you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact us.”
NYS CONSERVATIVE PARTY ON MAYOR’S BUDGET:
New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar issued the following statement on the FY 2027 state budget, now six weeks late and still lurching toward passage:
“This budget is a disgrace, both in its content and its process. Six weeks late and counting, with the Assembly Speaker himself saying, ‘There’s something fundamentally wrong with this process.’ He’s right, and the fault lies entirely with the one-party Democrat-Socialist-driven government that has held every lever of power in this state for years.
“This year’s budget alone represents at least a $13 billion increase over last year, far exceeding the rate of inflation. And what does New York have to show for it? The state-funded portion of the operating budget is balanced only on paper, propped up by billions in accumulated surpluses from prior years. Beyond 2026, the Governor’s own budget forecasts deficits through fiscal year 2029. New spending in this year’s deal pushed projected deficits up from approximately $27.3 billion to $34.3 billion for the combined 2027–29 fiscal years.
“Total state-supported debt outstanding is projected to grow over 70 percent during the next five years — from $55.9 to $95.1 billion — approaching the state’s own debt limit, with room under the cap projected to decline to just $503 million by 2030. Governor Hochul simply cannot say no to the Socialists. She claims she hasn’t raised income taxes while extending surcharges, hiking business levies, and presiding over a tax burden that continues to drive New Yorkers out of the state. New York spends more per capita on Medicaid — $4,724 — than any other state in the nation, 46 percent above the national average. And the answer from Albany is always the same: spend more.
“There is no permanent revenue source identified for the $4.5 billion universal childcare program baked into this budget, moreover. Just a line item and a press release. Classic Albany.
“Meanwhile, in New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s socialist policy platform––higher taxes on businesses and wealthy individuals, city-owned grocery stores, fare-free buses––has already prompted Dallas’s mayor to predict an ‘avalanche’ of financial firms fleeing New York. Apollo Global Management is planning a second headquarters in Florida or Texas. JPMorgan Chase now has more workers in Dallas than in New York City, and CEO Jamie Dimon says that trend ‘will likely continue.’ Amazon’s Jeff Bezos has publicly humiliated Mayor Mamdani over a $44,000-per-student school budget that produces nothing but abysmal outcomes. This is the economic climate in which Albany is choosing to double down.
“A 26 percent spending explosion in five years, a $34 billion structural deficit on the horizon, and State debt racing toward its constitutional ceiling. A socialist mayor in City Hall at war with the private sector. How much more can New York absorb before the bottom falls out entirely?
“It’s time for voters to step in. This state is in a slow-motion fiscal collapse.”
KRISHNAN ON PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING:
Council Member Shekar Krishnan announced that almost 2,000 people in Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, and Woodside participated in the fourth annual Participatory Budgeting cycle. “The winning projects will invest in our communities’ schools and our health care. You all decided how we should spend $1 million and you picked: much needed equipment at the Gotham Health Roosevelt Ophthalmology Department, a bathroom renovation for P.S. 152, smart board upgrades for P.S. 398, renovating the auditorium for I.S. 230, and a sensory room for I.S. 230. I’m proud to champion these projects and participate in a process that lets our children vote and families be heard.”
RAJKUMAR UNVEILS “FEE RELIEF ACT:”
Landmark Bill Halts Sky-High Interest On Unpaid Fees, Fines, And Tolls, Protecting New Yorkers From Financial Freefall
Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar today announced the introduction of the Fee Relief Act (A10912), sweeping legislation to protect New Yorkers and their hard-earned money from penalties that transform a few hundred dollars in unpaid State fees, tolls, or fines into crippling debt in the tens of thousands.
Rajkumar’s bill takes direct aim at astronomical interest rates and service fees on such debts, which quickly exceed the cost of the original amount owed. Such debt may not even be the result of intentional nonpayment, but stem from State errors such as misreading a car’s license plate or pursuing the former owner of a vehicle. Compounding the problem, interest can begin accruing after just 30 days, before someone may even discover they owe anything. If left unpaid long enough, the debt could even become a criminal matter.
Horror stories have included drivers racking up $20,000 to $100,000 over a few thousand dollars in unpaid tolls due to issues like a defective E-ZPass, a transponder not matching the plate registered, or tolls not paid by a relative who used the car. In one especially alarming case, a Brooklyn man saw his home foreclosed on due to owing $20,000 for $600 in unpaid water bills.
The Fee Relief Act ends these debt traps by setting reasonable limits on penalties. The bill caps interest to just above the rate of inflation, eliminates collection fees, and requires a full year before interest accrues.
Assemblywoman Rajkumar said, “Right now, New Yorkers who are doing everything right are still getting crushed by a system where small debts spiral into life-altering burdens. A $200 ticket can become thousands of dollars before you even know it exists. That’s not debt collection: that’s extortion. The government should never profit from confusion or delay. This changes with my Fee Relief Act. My bill puts the brakes on runaway interest, ends these unfair fee escalations, and ensures that working families can pay what they owe without being buried by it. It’s time we stop letting debt grow faster than people’s ability to get back on their feet.”
STAVISKY HONORED WITH FRIEND OF UUP AWARD:
United University Professions (UUP), the nation’s largest higher education union, has honored state Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky with its Friend of UUP award. Sen. Stavisky, the first woman from Queens County elected to the state Senate and the first woman to chair the Senate Higher Ed Committee, was elected in 1999 and has served ever since.
As Senate Higher Ed Committee Chair, Sen. Stavisky has been a strong supporter of public higher education and SUNY, and she’s been a longtime friend of UUP. Under her leadership, she has worked to increase state funding for SUNY, providing the university system with the resources necessary to offer a world-class educational experience to students. She has also increased student access through reforms to the state’s Tuition Assistance Program and by keeping tuition reasonable for working families.
“Sen. Stavisky really deserves this Friend of UUP award,” said UUP President Fred Kowal. “She’s been there for UUP and her hard work has benefitted SUNY, our members, students, and communities across our state. UUP’s relationship with state lawmakers matters to this union year-round, not just during budget season. We cultivate good friendships with lawmakers whose ideals and goals match our own, on both sides of the aisle. It’s a bonus for us when these friendships are based on years of trust and mutual respect. We are fortunate indeed to have such a friendship with Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky of the 11th Senate District.”
“Together we have made great strides, and I’m optimistic about the future, the faculty and support staff are the reason,” said Senator Stavisky. “They teach the students, they conduct the research, and they care for the patients in our public teaching hospitals. The strength of New York’s future is a result of our public colleges and universities, and I will keep doing my part in Albany to make sure New York lives up to that responsibility.”
UUP’s nonpartisan award recognizes distinguished service rendered to SUNY by those who strengthen and enlarge the political community devoted to the progressive development of public higher education in New York state. Past winners include state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
ADDABBO DROPS OFF MORE SUPPLIES FOR VETERANS AT VA:
Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. has been conducting a perpetual collection drive, gathering new shirts, socks, underwear, towels and other items for veterans in need. On May 7, 2026, Addabbo staffers Faran Shariff and Carl Moore dropped off the supplies at St. Albans VA, where they were accepted by a representative of the facility.
“As long as there are veterans in need, we will be there to help them,” Addabbo said. “I want to thank all of the community members who donated for their tremendous generosity.”
Requested items must be NEW: sneakers, slippers, sweatpants, pants, jeans, hoodies, bodywash, washcloths (neutral colors), male t-shirts (5 pack), male socks (crew), male underwear (5 pack), bath towels (neutral colors). Clothing sizes should be medium, large, extra-large or 2XL. Items can be dropped off Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Senator Addabbo’s District Office at 84-16 Jamaica Avenue in Woodhaven or at his Middle Village Office at 66-85 73rd Place.
LIU HONORS 12 NORTHEAST QUEENS SMALL BUSINESSES:
State Senator John Liu was scheduled to host the annual New York State Empire Awards ceremony on Friday, May 20, recognizing outstanding small businesses across northeast Queens for their leadership, community service, innovation, and economic impact. The Empire Award is the highest honor bestowed by the New York State Senate to businesses and organizations that demonstrate exceptional commitment to customers, employees, and the communities they serve.
This year’s honorees represent a diverse array of local entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses spanning Flushing, Bayside, and Fresh Meadows.
Honorees include: Avli The Little Greek Tavern, Eye & I Eyecare, Bell Formal Wear, C2A Campus SAT Prep & Tutoring, Fresh Meadows Pizza, Krave It Pizza & Sandwich Joint, Ludus Jewelry, Champion Martial Arts, Lu Ning Architect, EGLANCE Bookstore, Coffee Factory, and One Station Plaza.
BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT ‘26 AT PETERS FIELD PARK:
New York State Senator Leroy Comrie, Assemblymember Alicia Hyndman, Assemblymember Clyde Vanel, and NYC Council Deputy Speaker Nantasha Williams will join community members, nonprofit organizations and corporate partners for the “Heart for the Community: Beautification Project ‘26” on Friday, June 5, 2026, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Peters Field Park in Jamaica, Liberty Avenue and 183rd Street.
Hosted in partnership with the Showing Hearts Foundation, the beautification initiative will bring together volunteers to help revitalize Peters Field Park through landscaping, flower planting, bench painting and park clean-up efforts aimed at enhancing community pride and preserving public green spaces throughout Southeast Queens.
The event is being supported by community and corporate partners including ASUR Airports, CCA Metro, the New York City and Vicinity District Council of Carpenters and Walmart, whose contributions are helping make this day of service possible.
LIU BILL TO PREVENT UNWANTED LAST-MINUTE CRCs:
State Senator John Liu today announced that his legislation, the ERIC Act (Election-Related Requirements for Initiating Charter Commissions Act), has been incorporated into state budget legislation as part of the Public Protection and General Governance (PPGG) budget bill, expected to pass today.
The measure seeks to protect voter intent and prevent political sabotage by outgoing mayors by creating new requirements for the establishment of Charter Revision Commissions (CRC) around the time of general elections and approval procedures by new administrations.
Under current state law, the NYC mayor has the ability to unilaterally create a Charter Revision Commission at any time through the end of the term of office. Once formed, CRCs can operate for years and create ballot questions that can lead to permanent changes in city governance. The legislation requires that any CRC created within a window of 60 days before a municipal general election up to January 1st of the following year to be confirmed within the first 180 days of the following year by the mayor in office. The provision is deemed to have been effective on November 4, 2025.
This bill was drafted in response to the creation of a Charter Revision Commission by the former mayor on December 31, 2025, his last day in office, creating conflict with the incoming mayor and therefore the will of the voters. Senator John Liu stated, “Charter Revision Commissions have enormous consequences for New Yorkers and should never be implemented without just cause and due consideration, nor should they be used by outgoing executives as a means to undermine political rivals. Passing this legislation into law is necessary to give duly-elected mayors the ability to retain or annul 11th-hour commissions mustered by outgoing mayors.”
MENG ADVANCES MEASURE FOR TARIFF REFUNDS:
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng’s (D-NY) bipartisan provision to help small business owners access tariff refunds unanimously passed the House Appropriations Committee as part of the Fiscal Year 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.
Meng, who serves as the top Democrat on the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, introduced an amendment to direct the Department of Commerce to conduct outreach and provide technical assistance to U.S. small businesses that may be entitled to refunds. In February, after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against President Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs, the Administration announced a process to refund tariffs paid by American importers. The Trump Administration owes American businesses an estimated $166 billion plus interest. But because of the complexity of the application process, only around 15 percent of applications have been accepted by the government. Untold numbers of businesses have not even applied. Rep. Meng’s amendment would direct the Department of Commerce to provide badly needed assistance to small businesses that may be eligible for refunds.
Speaking before the Appropriations Committee, the Congresswoman said, “In my district in Queens, New York, I have heard from numerous small business owners trying to navigate the IEEPA tariff refund process. And I know I’m not alone. Small businesses typically don’t have lawyers on retainer or dedicated compliance teams like large corporations do…So far, about a third of applicants have been denied their refunds due to technical errors when filing a claim. Most of the small business owners I have spoken to in my district tell me that they don’t even know if they are eligible—or where they would file a claim. American small business owners work long days, nights, and weekends. It’s often a struggle from one invoice to the next. They do not have the time or resources to navigate customs or trade law… Small businesses already turn to Commerce on trade and tariff issues, and we should ensure that Commerce is engaging with them to address the tariff-related challenges they are facing right now. The Department has the resources, avenues, and expertise to help our small businesses. Why wouldn’t we use them?”
On April 2, 2025, “Liberation Day,” President Trump announced sweeping tariffs, launching a trade war against almost every country across the globe. Since then, tariff costs have tripled for small-business importers and American families, who have already paid an estimated $1,700 more due to the illegal tariffs. In February, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Trump lacks the authority under the IEEPA to impose sweeping tariffs. Then, in April, the Administration launched the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) to manage IEEPA tariff refunds.
Congresswoman Meng is a senior member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for funding the federal government’s agencies, programs and activities. She serves as Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, which oversees funding for the Department of Commerce.
GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCES CRACKDOWN ON PREDICTION MARKET INSIDER TRADING:
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, announced that several of her provisions were included in the Senate committee-passed version of the Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA) for Fiscal Year 2027. The bill, which passed out of the Intelligence Committee on a 14-3 bipartisan vote, now heads to the Senate floor for consideration.
“While there is much more work to be done to rein in President Trump’s out-of-control FBI and ODNI leadership, I am pleased that this year’s intelligence bill moves the ball forward on certain key issues that concern New Yorkers and families across the country,” said Senator Gillibrand. “In particular, I was proud to include measures to target international terrorist groups and scammers who prey on our country’s most vulnerable, as well as a provision to prohibit Intelligence Community employees with security clearances from using insider knowledge to profit from prediction markets. I urge these measures’ inclusion in the final bill and will continue to fight for proper oversight of our country’s intelligence agencies.”
Specifically, Gillibrand was able to include the following priorities in the committee-passed FY2027 Senate IAA:
Prediction market insider trading: Prohibits Intelligence Community employees and contractors with security clearances from using nonpublic information to place bets on prediction markets.
Counterterrorism: Directs the National Counterterrorism Center to identify ways in which international terrorist groups are exploiting social media platforms for recruiting and identify any legal restrictions to removing this content.
Senior scams: Directs the DNI and FBI to better target overseas scam centers targeting Americans, seniors in particular, and produce an unclassified report to help keep the public informed.
NYLCV ENDORSES MENG FOR CONGRESS:
The New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) announced their endorsement of Representative Grace Meng. As the state’s leading non-partisan environmental advocacy organization, NYLCV works to make conservation a top priority across all five boroughs and throughout the state.
Grace Meng has prioritized environmental protections and conservation throughout her time in Congress, from cleaning up Flushing Bay and Newtown Creek to expanding urban green spaces and tree equity for every Queens resident to enjoy. In Congress, she has been a leading voice on PFAS regulation, climate resilience, and environmental justice, ensuring that frontline communities are not left behind in the transition to a cleaner economy.
“Congressmember Grace Meng has been a strong voice for environmental protections and climate action, earning a 98% lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters,” said Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters. “From advancing legislation that protects vulnerable communities from pollution, to securing federal investments to advance public health, conserve natural resources, and strengthen climate resilience, Grace Meng has demonstrated a clear commitment to building a more sustainable and resilient future, and we are proud to endorse her for re-election to Congress.”
“Every child in Queens deserves clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and green space to play in,” said Rep. Meng. “Protecting our environment is about protecting the health of our families, our neighborhoods, and our future. I’m grateful for the New York League of Conservation Voters’ endorsement and for their partnership in delivering real environmental progress for our communities. Together, we’ll keep pushing to make sure no community is left behind as we build a cleaner, more resilient New York.”
*** CRIME BLOTTER **
TEENAGER ARRAIGNED ON INDICTMENT FOR MURDER OF JADEN PIERRE:
Defendant Allegedly Shot Pierre While Victim Was Surrounded and Attacked; Investigation into Gang Assault Remains Ongoing; Defendant Faces up to 25 Years to Life in Prison, if Convicted
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Zahir Davis was arraigned on an indictment charging him with murder in the second degree, gang assault and weapon possession for the shooting death of 15-year-old Jaden Pierre in Roy Wilkins Park in St. Albans on April 16.
District Attorney Katz said: “Jaden Pierre was beaten by other teens and then senselessly shot and killed in Roy Wilkins Park allegedly by 18-year-old Zahir Davis. As alleged, Davis took out a gun from his backpack and killed the unarmed 15-year-old. The defendant was arraigned today on an indictment charging him with murder, gang assault and weapon possession. We are working every day to get guns out of the hands of teenagers. The investigation into other aggressors remains active and ongoing.”
Davis, 18, of Springfield Gardens, was arraigned today on an indictment charging him with two counts of murder in the second degree, gang assault in the first degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Holder remanded the defendant and ordered him to return to court on June 4. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
A 16-year-old co-defendant, of Brooklyn, was arraigned on May 6 on indictment charges of attempted gang assault in the first degree and assault in the third degree.
District Attorney Katz said that, according to the charges and investigation, on April 16, at approximately 6:15 p.m., a large group of teenagers gathered in Roy Wilkins Park in St. Albans for a water gun fight advertised on social media. During the gathering a group of boys, including the 16-year-old defendant, attacked Jaden and punched and kicked him repeatedly with several other attackers. Jaden was dragged to the ground and returned to his feet with his back against a fence. The 16-year-old allegedly punched Jaden again in the face. Davis, who was holding a backpack and standing next to the 16-year-old, allegedly pulled out a silver firearm from his bag and shot Jaden in the upper chest. Jaden fell to the ground and was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Davis then fled to the island of Jamaica after the shooting and returned to the United States on April 24. He was apprehended by members of the NYPD’s 113th Precinct at JFK Airport upon his return.
The investigation into other participants in the gang assault remains ongoing.
MORE THAN 1,000 POUNDS OF ILLICIT CANNABIS PRODUCT SEIZED IN BAYSIDE:
Joint Enforcement Efforts with NYPD/NYC Sheriff Cannabis Task Force Resulted in Padlocking of Storefront, Recovery of Illegal Product Valued at $10 Million and Two Arrests
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the closure of an unlicensed storefront cannabis dispensary operating on Bell Boulevard in Bayside. A court-authorized search of the premises on May 14 resulted in the seizure of thousands of pounds of illicit cannabis and tobacco products and two arrests on felony-level charges. The enforcement efforts were in response to community concerns and are part of an ongoing joint investigation with the NYPD/NYC Sheriff Cannabis Task Force to identify and shut down illegal cannabis operations across the borough.
District Attorney Katz said: “The sheer volume of unregulated, illicit cannabis and tobacco products recovered from this location is deeply alarming, particularly given that Bell Boulevard is a well-known gathering place for families and teenagers. Illegal cannabis storefronts continue to threaten the safety of our communities. I commend the members of my Crime Strategies and Intelligence Bureau, Detective Bureau, our partners at the New York City Department of Finance, New York City Sheriff’s Office, and the NYPD for their work in shutting down these illegal operations.”
Saif Ajmal Khan, 27, of Jackson Heights, was arraigned Friday in front of Judge Jennifer Saint-Preux and Haroon Al Nomiri, 23, of Brooklyn, was arraigned today in front of Judge Indira Khan on a criminal complaint charging them with criminal possession of cannabis in the first degree. Both defendants were ordered to return to court July 24. They each face up to 2-1/3 to seven years in prison if convicted.
DA Katz said that, on March 14, at approximately 7:50 a.m., members of the Queen’s DA Detective Bureau, the 111th Precinct and the NYC Sheriff Cannabis Task Force executed a search warrant at a storefront and a second-floor apartment located at 40-13 Bell Boulevard in Bayside. More than 526 pounds of cannabis flower, 417 pounds of THC vapes, 284 pounds of cannabis edibles, 17 pounds of THC concentrate, 1,635 pounds of flavored tobacco vapes and 101 pounds of other tobacco products were seized from the location. The estimated value of the recovered product is $10 million. The two defendants were arrested on-site.
This operation is part of the District Attorney’s ongoing effort to rid Queens of illegal 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 475 individuals for felony-related charges related to the sale and/or possession of cannabis or controlled substances in Queens.
A total of 352 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.
GUN BUYBACK EVENT REMOVES MORE THAN 100 GUNS:
Firearms were Exchanged for Cash Saturday at Southern Baptist Church on Astoria Boulevard
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that 108 guns were collected Saturday, May 16, at the Southern Baptist Church in East Elmhurst 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 13th such event of DA Katz’s administration and marked one of the largest collections of guns to date. A total of 849 firearms have been recovered since 2020.
District Attorney Katz said: “Gun buyback initiatives remain an important strategy in our efforts to reduce gun violence and strengthen public safety across our communities. This Saturday, working with the NYPD, State Attorney General Letitia James, and Pastor Michael V. Johnson, we collected 108 surrendered firearms, including six automatic weapons. Each firearm removed from our streets represents a step toward safer neighborhoods and fewer opportunities for violence. I’m grateful to our partners and to the residents who participated in another successful program.”
New York Attorney General Letitia James said: “Every one of the guns collected this weekend is a step in the right direction toward a safer community for everyone, especially our children. I thank District Attorney Katz and our partners in local government for their commitment to protecting New York families. Together, we will continue to empower community members to be a part of the solution against gun violence and help remove unwanted guns off our streets and out of our communities.”
The event was co-sponsored by the NYPD and the Office of New York State Attorney General Letitia James.
AG JAMES AND NYPD COMM’R TISCH ANNOUNCE TAKEDOWN OF DRUG TRAFFICKING OPERATION:
Investigation Recovered More Than $93,000 and Nearly Three Kilograms of Cocaine; Defendants Sold Cocaine Near Public Elementary School in Queens
New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Jessica Tisch today announced the arrests and indictments of two individuals for their roles in a drug trafficking operation that illegally trafficked cocaine in Queens. A 65-count indictment unsealed today charges Jason Alvarez of Queens, 47, and Christopher Sanchez of Brooklyn, 43, with possessing and selling cocaine. An investigation, led by the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) revealed that Sanchez supplied Alvarez with cocaine, which Alvarez sold near the grounds of an elementary school in Queens. The investigation recovered approximately three kilograms of cocaine and more than $93,000 in cash.
“Dismantling dangerous drug operations is critical to keeping our communities safe,” said Attorney General James. “Jason Alvarez and Christopher Sanchez put school children and their neighbors at risk by selling cocaine near an elementary school. We are shutting down their drug trafficking operation and I thank all our partners in law enforcement for their collaboration in this investigation.”
“These two defendants showed a complete disregard for children’s safety – selling drugs near an elementary school, and in one case, even bringing the defendant’s own children along during a drug drop,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “After a 17-month joint investigation, we have now dismantled this drug trafficking operation, recovering approximately 3 kilograms of cocaine and more than $93,000 in cash. I thank our NYPD investigators, law enforcement partners, and the New York Attorney General’s Office for their work throughout this case and their commitment to protecting New Yorkers from dangerous narcotics trafficking.”
Today’s takedown was the result of a joint investigation between OCTF and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), NYPD, United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the New York State Police (NYSP). The investigation spanned 17 months and included hundreds of hours of physical and covert surveillance, analysis of voluminous electronic evidence, including cell phone data, GPS data, and other traditional investigative methods.
The investigation revealed that from December 2024 to October 2025, Alvarez sold cocaine near the grounds of a public elementary school – P255 at PS 908Q – located on 38th Avenue in Queens. Through physical and covert surveillance, investigators determined that Sanchez stored and prepared cocaine in a garage that he co-owned on Lincoln Avenue in Brooklyn, and supplied Alvarez with this cocaine for resale. During at least one occasion, Sanchez brought his two children to a meeting to supply Alvarez with cocaine. Forensic analysis of cell phones belonging to Alvarez and Sanchez revealed that the two communicated via text messages, WhatsApp messages, and FaceTime. A search warrant on the Brooklyn garage resulted in the seizure of numerous kilogram presses, electronic scales, and narcotics adulterant – substances added to dilute the potency of narcotics and increase the amount of product that can be sold to increase profit.
During the execution of search warrants in October 2025, Sanchez attempted to evade law enforcement by driving away in his personal vehicle, causing a member of the investigative team to jump out of the way to avoid being struck. Sanchez then abandoned his vehicle, threw a kilogram of cocaine into the trunk of a parked vehicle, and continued to flee on foot, discarding his outer clothing in an attempt to disguise himself, before being apprehended in a nearby clothing store by members of the investigative team. The team later recovered the kilogram of cocaine that Sanchez tossed into the parked car.
The search warrants also resulted in the recovery of $93,831 in alleged narcotics proceeds and additional quantities of cocaine from various locations associated with Sanchez and Alvarez, including Alvarez’s apartment, Sanchez’s home in Queens, and Sanchez’s garage in Brooklyn.
The indictment, unsealed today before Queens County Supreme Court Judge Toni Cimino, charges Sanchez and Alvarez with multiple crimes, including Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree (a Class A-I Felony), Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First and Second Degree, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in or near School Grounds, and Conspiracy in the Second Degree, among other charges. If convicted, Alvarez faces a maximum of 24 years in prison. Sanchez faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.
The charges against the defendants are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO 75 YEARS TO LIFE:
Defendant Fired at New Years’ Revelers; Umbrella Hotel Permanently Closed After Incident
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today that Richard Swygert was sentenced to 75 years to life in prison on murder, two counts of attempted murder and related charges for killing one man and seriously injuring two others in a New Years’ Day shooting in 2021. Swygert and one of his companions got into an argument with another group at the Umbrella Hotel in Kew Gardens and the defendant sprayed the group with bullets.
District Attorney Katz said: “Richard Swygert opened fired in front of the former Umbrella Hotel on New Year’s Day in 2021 committing the first homicide of that year. The bullets he unleashed killed one young man, critically injured another and left a third seriously wounded. We cannot normalize gun violence. A jury convicted the defendant of murder and he was sentenced today to 75 to life years in prison as a direct consequence of his criminal actions.”
Swygert, 24, of the Bronx, was convicted at trial in March of murder in the second degree, two counts of attempted murder in the second degree, assault in the first and second degrees, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree following a three-week jury trial. Queens Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant sentenced the defendant today to 75 years to life in prison.
According to the charges and trial testimony, on January 1, 2021, at approximately 1:09 a.m., Swygert and a group of companions entered the Umbrella Hotel on 82nd Aveue and Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens and waited for an elevator. A few minutes later, the three victims exited the elevator and Swygert and his group followed them to the main hotel lobby. Both groups left the hotel, and words were exchanged between one of the victims and one of Swygert’s companions. A physical fight ensued between the two men. Swygert took out a gun and fired multiple rounds. The defendant shot Robert Deandre Williams five times. He then fired at the second victim six times, striking him in the stomach, arms and legs. Swygert shot the third victim once in the leg. Williams was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead as the result of multiple gunshot wounds.
The two surviving victims, also aged 20, were taken to local hospitals for medical treatment. One man required life-saving emergency surgery as well as additional surgeries to save his leg from amputation. The second man was treated for a gunshot wound to the thigh. Thirteen spent shell casings were recovered from the front of the Umbrella Hotel, which permanently closed for business a short time after the incident.
—With contributions by Augusta Luger
This column was originated by John A. Toscano.