Pass on prosecution | Bronx Free Press

Posted on January 6, 2022

By Gregg McQueen

Not on his watch.

New Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg does not plan to prosecute offenses like transit fare evasion, prostitution and marijuana misdemeanors.

In a memo sent to staff members on January 3, Bragg outlined changes to charging, bail, plea and sentencing policies that would advance the goals of “safety and fairness” and focus the office on prosecuting violent crime.

“Data, and my personal experiences, show that reserving incarceration for matters involving significant harm will make us safer,” Bragg wrote in the memo.

He also called for greater investments in diversion programs and alternatives to incarceration and a reduction in pretrial incarceration.

“These policy changes not only will, in and of themselves, make us safer; they also will free up prosecutorial resources to focus on violent crime,” Bragg wrote.

He said marijuana misdemeanors, trespassing, fare evasion and resisting arrest will not be prosecuted, unless also accompanied by a felony charge.

Read more: Pass on prosecution | Bronx Free Press

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BP releases plan to address Omicron surge | Manhattan Times

Posted on January 5, 2022

Do better.

Voicing concerns about the number of Covid infections and hospitalizations in New York City, new Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine has released a 16-point plan to slow the spread of Omicron.

Levine, formerly the Health Committee Chair of the New York City Council, was sworn in as Borough President on New Year’s Day.

On January 3, Levine took to social media to unveil his proposal to combat the Omicron surge, noting that hospitalizations were above 5,000 per day for the first time since 2020, and the city was logging 40,000 new Covid cases per day.

“We need to manage Covid to the point where it’s no longer a crisis,” Levine said in a January 3 email to New Yorkers. “We need to act now to slow this wave, to protect hospitals, and support people who are sick.”

Read more: BP releases plan to address Omicron surge | Manhattan Times

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Black Comic Book Festival Returns January 13—15, 2022

Posted on January 4, 2022

The Black Comic Book Festival Is Turning 10! The 2022 Black Comic Book Festival marks a decade of bringing together animators, Blerds, bloggers, cosplay lovers, fans, families, illustrators, independent publishers, and writers to celebrate Black comic books and graphic novels and provides a platform to get the works directly to readers. This annual event features panel discussions, workshops, cosplay showcases, and highlights the work of creators from across the country.

Due to the changing circumstances with regards to COVID cases, the Black Comic Book Festival, which will take place January 13—15, will now be fully virtual.

Register Here: Black Comic Book Festival Returns January 13—15, 2022

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Call to Artists: Art in the Education Lab Commission for Spring 2022

Posted on January 3, 2022

The Zuckerman Institute is seeking an artist to produce commissioned work for their Art in the Education Lab program. Zuckerman particularly welcomes submissions from artists in Upper Manhattan and the South Bronx. There is no fee to apply.

About the Program

  • Budget: $10,000, inclusive of all costs related to the project, including but not limited to artist fee and expenses, supplies and installation
  • Release date: December 17, 2021
  • Deadline: January 17, 2022 (11:59pm EST)
  • Shortlisted artists will be notified by January 31, 2021
  • Eligibility: Any artist living and working within New York City

For more: Call to Artists: Art in the Education Lab Commission for Spring 2022

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UC Must-Reads: How Will the History Books Remember 2021?

Posted on December 31, 2021

Politico convened 18 top historians to imagine how this year will be written about a century from now. Well, guess what? It ain’t pretty. From The Big Lie, to the ongoing attack on voting rights, to the pandemic, America in 2021 is more polarized and divided than ever. Click below for more.

Read more: UC Must-Reads: How Will the History Books Remember 2021?

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Temporary permits enacted for bars, restaurants | Manhattan Times

Posted on December 30, 2021

Step right in.

Governor Kathy Hochul has signed a pair of bills designed to remove red tape and help new bars, restaurants and other alcoholic beverage businesses to open more quickly.

On December 22, Hochul signed a bill that allows for temporary retail permits to be issued for bars and restaurants opening in New York City, putting these businesses on the same footing as businesses in the rest of the state.

The legislation will make it more efficient for new businesses to open, said the governor.

“Let’s raise a glass to the terrific bars, restaurants, breweries and other small businesses that are a vital part of New York’s economy,” Hochul said. “As we continue to fight the pandemic, we also need to make sure we protect our economy, and this legislation will cut red tape and bring more customers in the door as quickly as possible to help small businesses get back on their feet.”

State Senator Jessica Ramos, a sponsor of the legislation, called the new laws “a lifeline to bars and restaurants in NYC.”

Read more: Temporary permits enacted for bars, restaurants | Manhattan Times

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$20.5 million awarded for anti-gun violence programs | Bronx Free Press

Posted on December 30, 2021

Results yield rewards.

New York City has received a $20.5 million federal grant to support ongoing work by Cure Violence providers as part of the city’s Crisis Management System (CMS) network – chosen from a pool of 36 government applicants.

The grant is part of the U.S. Treasury’s Social Impact Partnerships to Pay for Results Act Program (SIPPRA), a federal reinvestment program created in 2018 that provides state and local governments an opportunity to be awarded for “pay-for-results” projects that can show direct and tested improvements in one of a number of social service categories.

“New York City is the second jurisdiction in this country to win this award, because of the extraordinary work being done here,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio at a media briefing on Tues., Dec. 28. “This is a movement that’s growing and evolving. Some of the best and most creative work is happening here in New York City. And that is a credit to all the members of the Crisis Management System, the Cure Violence Movement.”

Read more: $20.5 million awarded for anti-gun violence programs | Bronx Free Press

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