Airbnb Vans, Unlicensed Cannabis Retailers Campaign, and Subway Safety: Office Updates

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Dear Friend,

I hope you’re staying safe and well! It is a great time to visit one of our great outdoor spaces, particularly as we continue to enjoy these last few beautiful summer days! Today, I’m sharing some updates and announcements from my office:

Airbnb Van Takedown
Subway Safety Letter to the NYPD
Illicit Smoke Shops Public Awareness Bill
Curb Your Dog Sign Success
National Night Out Against Crime
Mailbox Theft
Constituent Services Corner
Community Updates

1. Airbnb Van Takedown
I want to thank everyone who reached out to my office to report several potentially illegal short-term rentals operating out of modified vans and parked in several locations of our district. My office was first informed of these vans in early July, when local residents complained about a potentially illegal short-term rental operating out of a motor vehicle. We immediately got in touch with the New York City Police Department, the Department of Transportation, and the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice to investigate the situation and asked Airbnb to immediately remove the listings. I’m happy to announce that Airbnb has finally taken corrective action this week and removed these listings off from their website. City streets cannot be used for short-term rentals, more so at a time where street space is severely limited. We’ll remain in communication with our partners in government to ensure this situation does not happen again.

2. Subway Safety Letter to the NYPD
My office has received many calls and emails from constituents expressing concerns about the lack of police presence in and around East 86th Street and Lexington Avenue. While I remain confident in the 19th Precinct’s ongoing efforts to ensure a safe Upper East Side, it was evident that there’s much more to be done in this location. Alongside Council Member Keith Power, I requested the New York City Police Department's new Commissioner, Edward Caban, to provide the 19th Precinct the additional resources and staffing needed to increase foot patrols inside and around 86th Street station. While overall crime declined across our district, several violent incidents in the station have stressed the need for additional foot patrols to ensure the safety of commuters and community members alike.

3. Illicit Smoke Shops Public Awareness Bill
One of the most common complaints I receive in my office is in relation to the many illegal smoke shops that have appeared in our district, most of which appeared seemingly overnight. My office has been successful in shutting down several locations, including some that were concerningly close to school grounds. My office has worked with our partners in government to issue violations and close bad actors. I’m thrilled to announce that my bill, Intro 0995-2023, has been scheduled a hearing at the City Council's Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection on September 6th at 10am. The bill intends to create a public awareness campaign on the dangers of purchasing cannabis or cannabis products from unlicensed cannabis retailers, which I believe will deter individuals from purchasing these illicit products that are often marketed to our youth. If you’re interested in testifying on the dangers of illicit cannabis products from unlicensed retailers, please register here: https://council.nyc.gov/testify/

4. Curb Your Dog Signs Success
Last month, my office began distributing metal signs modeled after the winning design for our curb your dog campaign sign contest. These curb your dog signs are part of our reinvigorated local effort to address a common complaint received in my office, even more so after years of the city not putting up curb your dog signs. Today, you can see the signs placed across our district, respectfully reminding and encouraging dog owners to pick up after their dog. Over the last month, dozens of business owners, property owners and managers, superintendents, community group leaders, and individual residents have all reached out to my office to pick up signs, encouraged by our effort to keep the neighborhood clean. My office still has signs available, so if you’d like to request a metal sign for your building or small business, please reach out to hgale@council.nyc.gov.

5. National Night Out Against Crime
My office staff was present in last week’s National Night Out Against Crime event at St. Catherine’s Park, speaking with folks about all the latest updates and announcements from our office, as well as addressing ongoing concerns in our district. It was refreshing to once again see many of our trusted community members and local partners enjoying a beautiful night out. I want to thank the New York Police Department’s 19th Precinct leadership, including Deputy Inspector William J Gallagher and the Community Affairs Team, for organizing a safe and enjoyable event, as well as all of those who had the chance to pass by the event.

6. Mailbox Theft
My staff has been made aware of ongoing issues with mailbox theft in our district. The New York Police Department has informed my office that illegal copies of mailbox keys have been used to open and pilfer local mailboxes. I'm encouraged by the work that the 19th Precinct, in cooperation with the United States Postal Inspection Service, has done to address this situation, and happy to announce that last week four related arrests were made in the case, with multiple illegal mailbox keys recovered. The issue persists, and both agencies continue investigating these occurrences, which is why I encourage everyone to drop their mail directly at your nearest Post Office or switch to electronic payments. We’ll continue to provide updates on the situation as we receive them.

7. Constituent Services Corner
I encourage everyone to please feel comfortable in reaching out to my office at any time, may that be over mail, email or telephone. My office has a team of dedicated staffers ready to assist you with any problem you’re facing in regards to city issues, including assistance with ongoing cases with a city agency, quality of life concerns, and to provide feedback to upcoming legislation. Just last month, my team helped constituents recover lost SNAP benefits, provided discounted fares to senior citizens, secured Department of Sanitation inspections, and more. Even if you don’t know where to start, my team will be more than happy to help!

8. Community Updates

As always, I’m happy to highlight some upcoming events and announcements by trusted community partners. If you want to feature something in our newsletter, please email JaGarcia@council.nyc.gov

MOME Creative Sector Workers & Small Businesses Resources Webminar

The Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment wishes to share their upcoming event for workers effected by the ongoing entertainment industry strikes. This webinar will be focused on providing resource information to those in the industry and in ancillary services being impacted. Representatives from the Human Resources Administration, Episcopal Actors’ Guild, and the NYS Department of Labor will be available to answer questions submitted beforehand. The webinar will take place on Zoom, and will be open to the public. For more information, please visit: http://www.nyc.gov/MOME/WorkersResources

Sunset Film Festival

This week and the next, the Carl Schurz Park Conservancy will be having their Sunset Film Festival at Carl Schurz Park. Movies include The Incredible Journey on Wednesday, August 2nd, and Oliver & Company on Wednesday, August 9th. Both events will begin at sunset. For more information, please visit: https://www.carlschurzparknyc.org/events

Children’s Storytelling in Sutton Place Park

The New York Public Library’s E 58th Street Branch, in cooperation with the Sutton Place Park Conservancy, will be presenting a Children’s Storytelling event every Tuesday during the month of August at Sutton Place Park, from 3pm to 3:45pm. This free event welcomes children of all ages for a time full of storytelling, song singing, rhymes, and read-aloud books. For more information, please visit: https://www.instagram.com/suttonplaceparksconservancy/?hl=en

East Sixties Neighborhood Association Clothing Drive

The East Sixties Neighborhood Association is looking for new/unused underwear, sneakers, toiletries, and diapers, as well as new or gently used clothing, to be dropped off in the Bentley Hotel’s reception desk (500 East 62nd Street, 9am - 5pm). All donations will be provided to asylum seekers in need of clothing at the Bentley Hotel.

Friends of the East River Esplanade Evenings on the Esplanade Concert

The Friends of the East River Esplanade is having their Evenings on the Esplanade Concert on Thursday, August 10th, from 6pm to 8pm. Lulada Club Salsa Band will be presenting on Andrew Haswell Green Park, located on 60th Street and the East River Waterfront. For more information, please visit: https://www.esplanadefriends.org/events

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Contact Us
Email us at district5@council.nyc.gov, call our office at 212-860-1950, or visit us at 444 East 75th Street #1B (75th and York Avenue)

Best,
Julie