Vol. 60 No. 1
January 4, 2025
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Several Arrests Made in Holiday Incidents in Co-op City CCPD personnel responded to three incidents involving firearms during the Holiday season in Co-op City. The first occurred on Monday December 23, 2024, when CCPD and NYPD received a call for service regarding shots fired in front of Building 26B in Section 5. This resulted in more than one location being cordoned off as a crime scene during the investigation. The initial shots fired were at Erdman and Einstein, leading to Erskine Pl./ Earhart Townhouses, and ultimately ending at Boller Avenue. Two weapons were recovered and three individuals arrested. This case remains open as both CCPD and NYPD continue investigating what led to the incident. Fortunately, no one was injured. In the second incident, which occurred on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, a non-resident was arrested for Criminal Possession of a Weapon (Firearm). At approximately 10:30 p.m. on Christmas evening, CCPD
NY Strengthens Data Protection Laws BY BRANDON ORTIZ
Governor Kathy Hochul signed a legislation package on December 21, 2024 designed to strengthen data protection laws for New Yorkers. In total, the Governor signed six pieces of legislation, and below is a description of each law according to the Governor’s Office. Legislation S895B/A6789B – This law requires social media companies to disclose their terms of service “in a manner reasonably designed to inform all users of the social media platform of the existence and contents of the terms of service.” Social media companies must also submit reports on their terms of service to the NYS Attorney General’s office and remedy any violations. Legislation S2376B/A4737B – Amends the legal parameters of identity theft to also include stolen medical or insurance information. Legislation S5615/A2833 – Requires that any “security features in devices procured by the government” must meet the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework. Legislation S2659B/A8872A – For any business that is the victim of a data breach, they must notify affected New Yorkers within 30 days of the recorded breach. The business must also notify the NYS Attorney General’s Office, the NY Department of State, the appropriate division of State Police, and the NYS Department of Financial Services. Legislation S5703B/A1035B – Prohibits social media platforms from being used for debt collection.
units responded to Building 13 at 100 Casals Pl. for an unconscious male in the lobby. Upon arrival, a male was awakened and became combative. He was handcuffed for his and Officers’ safety. The male was questioned and could not give a valid reason or verifiable information for being in the building. The individual was searched incidental to lawful arrest, and the search produced a firearm. The male was then removed and processed for Criminal Possession of a Weapon. The following day, Thursday, December 26, 2024, at approximately 7:35 p.m., CCPD and the NYPD received calls for service and responded to the rear of Building 21. Officers found multiple shell casings and cash scattered on the ground. Outer glass on a double-paned window was also shattered. There were no reports of injuries to any persons. This is an open and active investigation being conducted by CCPD and NYPD detectives.
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Monday, January 6, 2025
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2024 Year in Review – July-December, 2024 BY DANIELLE CRUZ & ROZAAN BOONE
(The following is an account of the major events occurring in or affecting Co-op City during the last six months of 2024 as reported by the Co-op City Times. Last week’s issue highlighted the first half of 2024.) JULY During July 2024, the second extension deadline for Co-op City shareholders to return their 2024 Riverbay Board of Directors election ballot was set for Friday, July 12. By July 5, 2024, approximately 91% of the required 5,035 ballots had been returned to YesElections, the independent election vendor. After pausing congestion pricing in early June 2024, New York Governor Kathy Hochul released a statement reiterating her commitment to supporting the MTA, emphasizing that her team will continue working with the State Legislature and MTA officials to deliver consistent funding for the MTA to carry out capital projects. Gov. Hochul also indicated that the MTA is currently in a “strong financial standing” and in a position to “continue to meet its responsibilities to its millions of riders to provide safe and timely transport.” The Harvest Home Farmers Market also returned to Co-op City in July. The market was open every Wednesday and Saturday, from 7 a.m.-3 p.m., in the park between Asch Loop and Aldrich Avenue (adjacent to the firehouse). On July 10, 2024 senior officials from the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) met with Riverbay’s executive management team for a tour of Co-op City. Before the tour, Management sat down with the DHCR representatives to give a brief overview of how Co-op City and Riverbay are structured. The 2024 Riverbay Election Committee extended the voting period for the 2024 Board election a third time after more than 230 ballots were still needed to make the quorum and validate the election. The new voting period was set to end on July 26 at 9 p.m. On July 6, 2024 shareholders from Co-op City and individuals from across New York gathered at the Section 2 Greenway to watch the annual Co-op City
Firework Show & Concert. New York City Council members voted to approve the Fiscal Year 2025 budget on June 30, 2024. The $112.4 billion budget prioritized several areas of investment, such as: housing affordability, early childhood education, public schools, student support programs, CUNY programming, public safety, community institutions and essential city services. On Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at approximately 6:38 p.m., a vehicle crashed into a wall in Garage 8. According to the Riverbay Parking and Leasing department, the accident occurred in Section 4D of the garage. No injuries from the crash were reported, but the driver was transported to the hospital for medical attention. A tow truck removed the vehicle from the crash site and emergency Maintenance worked quickly to cover the hole with plywood and a metal barricade. The Co-op City Times sat down with Grounds department director, Mike Ambo, to talk about upcoming projects and work that will be happening in Co-op City during the summer to maintain the grounds and flowers planted across the community. Mr. Ambo also shared that in the fall, the Black Pine trees located in the back of the Asch Loop Townhouses and the rear of Buildings 15, 16 and 17 were going to be removed. Riverbay’s independent election vendor, YesElections, reported that the quorum for the 2024 Riverbay Board of Directors election had been obtained on Tuesday night, July 23, 2024. This year’s quorum was realized after approximately 10 weeks of voting and necessitated three extensions before the number of ballots to validate the election – 5,035 – were received. The Election Committee was then set to review and certify the final count of ballots cast at an open meeting on July 31, 2024. A notice to shareholders was published explaining that Riverbay Corporation is monitored by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) when conducting removal of wood flooring and that every building is registered and a permit (ACP 7’S) is required when doing this work. The notice also informed shareholders that at that point in time, due to adjustments being made to
Please VOTE in the Board of Directors Election by Friday, July 12, to avoid another extensio n and additional election -related expenses.
Vol. 59 No. 27
Saturday, July 6, 2024
Extended Voting in 2024 Riverbay Board Election Ends Friday, July 12 466 Ballots Still Needed for Quorum
Riverbay Board Election
BY ROZAAN BOONE
The second extension deadline for Co-op City shareholders to return their 2024 Riverbay Board of Directors election ballot is next Friday, July 12, and as of press time yesterday, approximately 91% of the required 5,035 ballots had been returned to the independent election vendor. YesElections reported to mittee yesterday that 4,569 the 2024 Election Comly 91% of the ballots had ballots or approximateso far been received and counted. Of that number, 1,832 are internet or electronic ballots, and 2,737 are paper ballots. Shareholders who have not received a green election ballot envelope or who election ballot, can request have misplaced their a replacement ballot by contacting YesElections at (855) 701-9657 or by email at help+riverbay@ yeselections.com. Shareholders who have questions about the ballot are also asked to contact the
Governor Hochul Reitera tes Commitment to Suppo rting MTA
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BY BRANDON ORTIZ
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has reiterated her porting the MTA, emphasizing commitment to supthat her team will continue state legislature and MTA working with to carry out capital projects.officials to deliver consistent funding for the the MTA In addition, the Governor indicated that the MTA financial standing” and is is currently in a “strong to its millions of riders to in a position to “continue to meet its responsibilities provide safe and timely transport.” Acknowledging that the MTA was facing a (Continued on page
YesElections will be at the Saturday, July 6th Fireworks & Conce rt 3-7 p.m. Section 2 Green
way in the vicinity of Building 25 on or near the path leading to the mobile stage. Be sure to visit their table and VOTE in the Riverbay Board Election!
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TO DA Y!
Harvest Home Farmers’ Market Back in Co-op City Until Novembe r 26
The Harvest Home Farmers’ Market is back in Co-op City every Wednesday from 7 a.m.3 p.m. in the park between Asch Loop and Aldrich Avenue (adjacent to the firehouse). Starting on Saturday, July 13, the Market will also be available on p.m. at the same location Saturdays, 7 a.m.-3 in Co-op City. Shareholders are encouraged to patronize local farmers who provide fresh, organic produce and goods. Hostetler’s Produce from Pennsylvania, Grandpa NY and Healthy Meals Farm from Chester, Bronx, NY were onsite with Angie of the this past Wednesday with fresh fruits, vegetables, home-baked goods and products, juices, and healthy meal demonstrations by Harvest Home associates utilizing fresh produce from the farmers, which shoppers were able to sample. Photos by Brandi Simpson
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