What’s News, Breaking: Monday, February 6, 2023

February 6, 2023 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

Share this:

CCRB SUBSTANTIATES POLICE VIOLENCE FROM 2020 GEORGE FLOYD PROTESTS

CITYWIDE — A larger, 590-page report that the Citizens Complaint Review Board released on Monday substantiated police violence against protestors in the 2020 protests against the George Floyd murder, also at the hands of police, in Minneapolis, with Brooklyn registering the most complaints. The NYPD’s response to the May 29, 2020 protest at Barclays Center brought in 25 complaints; another the next day in Flatbush provoked 28 complaints. A June 3 protest in Downtown Brooklyn provoked 24 complaints and a rally the following day brought in 14 complaints.

The protest complaints the CCRB received contained more than 1,800 distinct allegations of police misconduct against members of the public, with the largest percentage of these allegations were for Use of Force at 64%, followed by Abuse of Authority at 20%, and Discourtesy at 12%. Offensive Language and Untruthful Statement allegations comprised 3% and 2% of the allegations, respectively.

✰✰✰

BROOKLYN LEADS CITY IN NUMBER OF POLICE MISCONDUCT CLAIMS

EAST NEW YORK — Brooklyn had the largest number of police misconduct complaints stemming from incidents, according to the Citizen Complaint Review Board’s latest monthly report, covering January 2023. The CCRB, an independent municipal agency that investigates complaints of NYPD misconduct in preparation for its monthly board meetings, found that the 75th Precinct in eastern Brooklyn, covering East New York and Cypress Hills, had the highest number of misconduct complaints, at 13 incidents.

The report showed that, of the cases investigated, 44% were substantiated, 20% indicated that the officers operated within NYPD Guidelines, 21% had insufficient evidence to determine the case, 7% were unfounded and 7% were situations in which the first responder could not be identified or refused to provide name and badge number in a way untraceable.

✰✰✰

PINGPOD BUFFS CAN NOW PLAY IN DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — PingPod, building on the rapid success of its five New York City locations since their 2020 launch, is now expanding into Downtown Brooklyn, and will open its street-level doors Feb. 15. This second Brooklyn location, at 620 Fulton St., has 2,200 square feet, four tables, including a private pod, and will be close to the borough’s arts and sports corridor, including BAM and Barclays Center.

The PingPod business model is unique – a network of the world’s first tech-enabled autonomous (no onsite employees) table tennis “pods,” open 24/7. Pods are typically highly visible street-level retail spaces with one to six tables, available to rent in 30-minute increments through PingPod’s proprietary iOS or Web apps.

✰✰✰

CITY SCHOOLS SHED VACCINATION REQUIREMENT

CITYWIDE — The city’s expected policy regarding COVID-19 vaccinations will apply also to Department of Education (DOE) employees, as will the vaccination requirements for nonpublic school, early child care, and daycare staff, also effective on Feb. 10. Visitors to school buildings will no longer be required to provide proof of at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The change will allow students’ families and loved ones to attend school activities, celebrations, and events.

✰✰✰

COVID VACCINATION FOR CITY WORKERS BECOMES OPTIONAL

CITYWIDE — Having the COVID-19 vaccination will become optional for current and prospective city workers effective this Friday, Feb. 10, following an expected ratification, at the next Board of Health meeting, to amendments governing NYC’s vaccination policy, Mayor Eric Adams announced on Monday, February 6. At this point, the city has fully processed and issued decisions for all pending reasonable accommodation appeals.

While the approximately 1,780 former employees who were terminated for failing to submit proof of vaccination cannot automatically return to their previous positions, they will be eligible to apply for positions with their former agencies through existing city rules and regulations and hiring processes.

✰✰✰

MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE HITS TURKEY: 1200+ DEAD, 1000+ BUILDINGS DOWNED

TURKEY — An earthquake measuring in at a catastrophic 7.8 on the Richter scale struck the southeastern region of Turkey overnight, causing devastating damage to cities near the epicenter in both Turkey and Syria and sending out shockwaves felt as far away as Cyprus and Israel. Officials say that more than 1200 people have been reported dead so far, but the death toll is expected to increase as rescue efforts reach hard-hit areas throughout the coming days; although the deployment of emergency personnel is being complicated by a rare snowstorm impacting the region, reports the New York Times, which is providing ongoing updates on the situation.

“We stand ready to provide any and all needed assistance. President Biden has directed USAID and other federal government partners to assess U.S. response options to help those most affected,” said National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in a White House press statement on Sunday night.

UPDATE: A second quake, estimated to measure in at 7.5 on the Richter scale, has struck the same region late Monday morning, causing further damage.

✰✰✰

POLICE SEARCH FOR SERIAL APPLE PRODUCT THIEF

Apple fans beware! If you know anything about this man, don’t hesitate to reach out to authorities.

CITYWIDE — A thief may be targeting New Yorkers who have Apple shopping bags or who are carrying Apple products, say police, who are searching for one man suspected of involvement in five separate incidents in Brooklyn and Manhattan in December and January in which he approached pedestrians from behind, grabbed their personal belongings and fled on foot. The man is described as slim and 5’11’’ in height, with a dark complexion and black braided hair.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782); or, log onto the Crime Stoppers website or Tweet @NYPDTips.

✰✰✰

AFFORDABLE HOUSING LOTTERY LAUNCHES AT

200 MONTAGUE ST.

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — A lottery has launched for 38 affordable housing units at a newly constructed apartment building on Montague Street, reports New York YIMBY. One studio unit is available for applicants with incomes at 80 percent of the area median income; while the rest of the units, ranging from studios to three-bedrooms, are reserved for those who make 130 percent of the area median income.

Prospective residents can find more information and applications on NYC’s Housing Connect website, until the lottery closes April 3.

✰✰✰

THREE BROOKLYN BED BATH & BEYOND STORES TO CLOSE

SUNSET PARK — Three Brooklyn Bed Bath & Beyond stores will be closing their doors as part of a national move by the struggling retailer to cut losses in the face of a potential bankruptcy following a default on its $550 million debt with J.P. Morgan last week, reports NBC News. Along with 87 stores closing nationally and 66 closing in the tristate area, Brooklyn will be losing the Industry City, Gateway Center and Atlantic Avenue locations of the chain.

The Industry City location, which opened in 2016, currently plays host to Brooklyn’s beloved Captain America statue.

✰✰✰

KYRIE IRVING RUMORED TO HEAD TO MAVERICKS

PROSPECT HEIGHTS — Embattled Nets player Kyrie Irving will be traded to the Dallas Mavericks alongside fellow Net Markieff Morris, in exchange for ex-Nets player Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith and several draft picks for upcoming years, sources have told NBA.com. The deal follows years of conflict with the player over COVID vaccinations and antisemitic Tweets, and comes after reports that Irving asked to leave Brooklyn and subsequently refused to play until traded.

Nets fans appear to be done with Kyrie as well, as the player’s image was greeted by boos during Saturday night’s game when shown on the Jumbotron at Barclays center.

✰✰✰

MTA SHOWS OFF NEW SUBWAY CARS, HOPES FOR 2023 LAUNCH

CITYWIDE — The MTA on Friday gave the public a first look at its new R211 subway cars, which feature wider doors, digital displays, handicap accommodations and security cameras; and, which it hopes to bring into service on the A and C lines by the end of the year, according to the New York Post. The city also showed off a model of a controversial new “open gangway” design, which would join cars together without doors — a move opposed by some who believe this will cause foul odors to spread through entire trains.

The new cars are part of the MTA’s efforts to support record levels of ridership as pandemic-era restrictions wind down.

✰✰✰

ROLLER RINK POP-UP COMING TO ATLANTIC TERMINAL

PROSPECT HEIGHTS — A 9,000-square-foot pop-up roller rink, operated by black-owned skate event host The Roller Wave, will be landing in Atlantic Terminal on Feb. 11. The venue will honor the influence of black culture on roller skating for Black History Month, including the historic peak of roller disco in 1970’s Brooklyn, while also updating the pastime with modern twists like live music and catered food, as well as family and community programming.

“Mid-century black Americans laid the groundwork for the evolution of roller skating. We are very excited to put the spotlight back on the Brooklyn community, and Atlantic Terminal Mall is the perfect epicenter to celebrate the community in an authentic and innovative way,” said The Roller Wave founder Harry Martin in a press statement.

✰✰✰

PROSPECT PARK ALLIANCE TO HOLD LAKESHORE RESTORATION MEETING

PARK SLOPE — The Prospect Park Alliance will be holding a Virtual Design Workshop on the restoration of the shoreline of the Prospect Park Lake, the only lake in Brooklyn, on Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. The meeting will involve a presentation of plans for the project — which has received $3 million in preliminary funding from the City Council and the Mayor out of an estimated $20 million needed — followed by breakout groups for discussion and feedback.

Interested parties can register to attend the Zoom online on the Prospect Park Alliance website.

✰✰✰

PICKPOCKET GANG STRIKING BROOKLYN NIGHTCLUBS

WILLIAMSBURG — Police are warning nightclub partiers to be aware of their surroundings, as a group of thieves have been reportedly targeting popular venues Elsewhere and Avant Gardner in Williamsburg on at least four occasions starting in late January. Following the last reported incident on Jan. 22, three people, two women and one man, were recorded while trying to use a victim’s stolen credit card to make purchases at a shopping center in the Bronx, but have not yet been identified.

Have you seen these three individuals? All tips are strictly confidential.

✰✰✰

NY POLS TO ANNOUNCE $37M FOR TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT

LOWER EAST SIDE — A group of New York politicians and local advocates, including Brooklyn Reps. Nydia Velázquez and Dan Goldman, are set to announce on Monday over $37 million in grant awards for New York state through the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program, including $21 million for projects in NYC. The money will be used to help improve road safety and reduce traffic fatalities statewide.

The group will be addressing the press and public at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 6, at the corner of Delancey and Norfolk streets in Manhattan.

✰✰✰

WINNING TAKE 5 NUMBER SOLD IN BROWNSVILLE

BROWNSVILLE — Victor Liquor Inc., at 1623 Pitkin Avenue in Brownsville, sold one prize-winning ticket worth $12,804.50 in the Saturday, Feb. 4, TAKE 5 Evening drawing. TAKE 5 numbers are drawn from a field of one through 39, with the drawings televised twice daily, at 2:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

Two other merchants, in Elmira and in Fayetteville (just east of Syracuse) also sold winning tickets for the same amount in that drawing.

✰✰✰

GODSQUAD HONORS MEMORY OF GUN VIOLENCE VICTIMS

EAST FLATBUSH — La Guardia High School 70 Voice Choir and vocalist Sheherazade Holman will honor, through song, the survivors of gun violence at the GodSquad’s annual “We Remember, Recover, Restore: Gun Violence Survivors Evening of Reflection” in East Flatbush. Pastor Gilford Monrose, Faith Advisor to Mayor Eric Adams and a co-founder of the GodSquad/67th Precinct Clergy Council; and Pastor Edward-Richard Hinds, president of the 67th Precinct Clergy Council will lead the program.

The keynoters are: The Reverend Sharon Risher, a member of the Everytown Survivor Network whose mother, two cousins, and childhood friend were shot and killed in the 2015 shooting in Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston. Trenelle Gabay, a member of the Everytown Survivor Network and Moms Demand Action volunteer, whose husband Carey Gabay, assistant counsel to Governor Cuomo, was killed in 2015 in the crossfire of a shootout during the annual J’ouvert festival in Crown Heights.

✰✰✰

ELECTRICAL UPGRADE IN DUMBO WILL CLOSE PORTION OF DOCK STREET

DUMBO — Con Edison is performing electric upgrades, which require street closures but no expected interruption of power, to support the energy load for Brooklyn Bridge Park, NYPD, and additional customers in advance of the summer season. Dock Street, between Water and Front streets, will be closed on Saturday, Feb. 11, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., and again on Sunday, Feb. 12, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The next street over is Main St., which runs northbound toward the water.

Con Edison and Community District 2 (which encompasses Downtown Brooklyn, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Clinton Hill, DUMBO, Fort Greene, Fulton Ferry, Vinegar Hill and the Brooklyn Navy Yard) say that there will be no interruption of power.

✰✰✰

FELONIOUS ASSAULT AND THEFTS INCREASED DURING JANUARY, SAYS CRIME STATS REPORT

CITYWIDE — Amid a decline in murder, rape and shootings in New York City during the first month of 2023, other crimes, including felonious assault, burglaries, robberies and auto thefts rose during January 2023, compared with the same month in 2022, according to the latest report from the NYPD. Felonious assaults were up almost 15%, from 1,790 to 2,056; and burglaries were up 7.2%, 1,298 from 1,211 the previous year, robberies (theft by use of force) rose 5.3%, 1332 from 1265, and grand larceny auto (vehicle theft) is up 5.1%, to 1,223 from 1,164.

Hate crimes, particularly those against Jews and Asians, also increased during January; and more than 130 rapes were reported. The NYPD points out that rape and sexual assault continues being underreported.

✰✰✰

NYPD BROOKLYN SAW REDUCTION IN SHOOTINGS DURING JANUARY

BOROUGHWIDE — Brooklyn, the Bronx and Manhattan saw steep reductions in the number of shooting incidents during January, compared with the same period last year, according to the NYPD’s latest crime statistics report. For the month of January 2023, the number of overall shooting incidents within the city decreased by 26.3% and the number of gun violence victims decreased by 21.8%, and the number of arrests made increased to 29.6%.

The NYPD credits its enhanced public safety investment across each borough, and its subway safety strategy augmenting police coverage on trains and platforms.

✰✰✰

DOCTORS RACE TO SAVE LIFE OF OFFICER SHOT DURING VEHICLE PURCHASE

EAST NEW YORK — Medical teams were working as of press time on Sunday to save the life of an off-duty patrol officer who was shot while endeavoring to purchase a vehicle. Mayor Eric Adams, Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell and other city officials were present at One Brooklyn Health/Brookdale Hospital, telling news agencies gathered that the officer (whose name the NYPD has withheld) had gone with a relative on Saturday, Feb. 4, around 7 p.m. to the location of the for-sale vehicle, 472 Ruby St. in East New York; but was shot almost immediately by the suspect, who announced a robbery.

In response to a question about the presence on scene of the FBI and Joint Terrorism Task Force, Detectives Bureau Assistant Chief, Michael Baldassano, “With any major incident in the city, we always rely on the help of our federal and state partners, so they’re just giving everything they can.”

✰✰✰

NYPD: ASSAULT OF WOMAN CYCLIST MAY BE PART OF PATTERN

MANHATTAN BRIDGE WALKWAY — Women cyclists need to be extra-vigilant while police work to track down a biking sex offender. NYPD has now released video in its investigation of a series of sexual assaults, including of a woman cyclist on the Manhattan Bridge walkway last May, which police believe is part of a crime pattern that took place between May and July 2022, and in which the perpetrator pulled the hair of his 26-year-old female victim, displayed a knife, exposed his genitals and then forced her to perform a sex act.

The video released is from one of two incidents on July 16, 2022, in which the assailant(s) in two other incidents in different parts of Manhattan, both early morning and within an hour of each other, with a similar pattern of approaching and attacking his victims.

✰✰✰

BROOKLYN CELEBRATES LUNAR NEW YEAR AT BOROUGH HALL

Kids, seniors and lions all danced for the happy crowd.

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — Brooklyn residents joined BP Antonio Reynoso in partnership with Homecrest Community Services and UA3 at Borough Hall on Tuesday to celebrate the Lunar New Year. The evening celebration featured performances by the Tai Shan Du Hu Association Lion Dancers, P.S. 105 elementary school students and the Homecrest Community Services Senior Dance Group, as well as food provided by Park Asia restaurant.

“Shan Du Hu Association lion dancers brought good luck and prosperity to all of Brooklyn for this coming year. With such grace and poise, P.S. 105 elementary students melted our hearts. And with such elegance, Homecrest seniors added beauty to the night. As a final farewell, Lions International presented oranges, symbolic of gold and good fortune to all! Prosperity to all,” said Donald Hong, President of UA3.

✰✰✰

‘MADE IN NY’ MEDIA PRODUCTION PROGRAM HOLDS 70TH GRADUATION

BROOKLYN NAVY YARD — The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, in partnership with Brooklyn Workforce Innovations, will host the 70th graduation of the ‘Made in NY’ Production Assistant Training program at the Brooklyn Navy Yard on Friday, Feb, 3. Since its inception 17 years ago in 2006, the ‘Made in NY’ signature workforce development program has trained more than 1000 New Yorkers in production jobs for companies including Disney, HBO, Showtime and CBS.

This milestone moment for the ‘Made in NY’ Production Assistant Training program comes as Mayor Adams recently reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building an equitable workforce during his State of the City address. The Brooklyn Navy Yard is also home to Steiner Studios, the largest soundstage and production facility on the East Coast which also serves as a production training lab.

✰✰✰

TEEN ARRESTED IN FATAL SHOOTING AT MCLAUGHLIN PARK

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — Police have arrested a teen in connection with a shooting that took place in September at McLaughlin Park in Downtown Brooklyn. The 16-year-old, whose identity the NYPD has not released because he is a minor, has been charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon: loaded firearm, in the Sep. 7, 2022 death of 15-year-old Unique Smith of Decatur St.

McLaughlin Park is at Tillary and Jay streets, on the same block as St. James Cathedral-Basilica, and within the 84th Precinct.

✰✰✰

STOP & SHOP TO HOST GRAND REOPENING AT ATLANTIC TERMINAL

PROSPECT HEIGHTS — Stop & Shop President Gordon Reid will attend the Grand Reopening of the Atlantic Terminal Stop & Shop on Friday, to underscore the company’s ongoing commitment to NYC, as well as to donate $40,000 from Stop & Shop to Food Bank For New York City in recognition of the hunger relief organization’s 40th anniversary. The remodeled store will feature a greatly expanded assortment of Asian, West Indian, West African and Eastern European products, along with more tropical fruits and vegetables, as well as expanded Halal dairy and meat.

The reopening will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, at Stop & Shop’s Atlantic Terminal location.

✰✰✰

‘STRANGER THINGS’ STAR SHOWS OFF CARROLL GARDENS TOWNHOUSE

CARROLL GARDENS — A-list power couple actor David Harbour and singer Lily Allen opened up their newly renovated Carroll Gardens brownstone to Architectural Digest in a video tour that’s gone viral on YouTube. The actor said the couple wanted their design choices to reflect the neighborhood’s traditionally Italian character, while also showcasing their personal styles.

Carroll Gardens is one of NYC’s hottest areas at the moment, with real estate prices skyrocketing and luxury homes being snapped up by buyers.

✰✰✰

BROOKLYN TABERNACLE CHOIR SINGS AT NATIONAL PRAYER BREAKFAST

WASHINGTON — The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, of Downtown’s Brooklyn Tabernacle, serenaded the nation’s lawmakers at the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, in a performance President Biden called “incredible.” Biden, in his speech at the breakfast, called for national unity and togetherness in troubled times.

The choir’s performance and the rest of the prayer breakfast can be viewed on YouTube on CBN News’ live recording of the event.

The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir performs at the National Prayer Breakfast. Photo: C-SPAN.

✰✰✰

NETS WISH HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO FAN LEGEND MR. WHAMMY

PROSPECT HEIGHTS — The Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, along with thousands of Twitter users, wished a happy 87th birthday to their biggest fan, New Jersey resident Bruce Reznick, known widely as Mr. Whammy. Mr. Whammy, a season ticket holder for 25 years, got his nickname in honor of his tradition of “putting the whammy,” or evil eye, on opposing players taking foul shots against the Nets — although NPR reports that his honor code forbids whamming ex-Nets players, no matter what.

It’s no surprise that the Nets support Mr. Whammy — away teams playing against the Nets at Barclays have a significantly lower success rate at making foul shots than the league average.

✰✰✰

EX-COUNCILMEMBER SIGNS ON TO CONEY ISLAND CASINO PROJECT

CONEY ISLAND — Brooklyn native, former Councilmember and former Doe Fund EVP Robert Cornegy is joining the team of a Coney Island casino bid as they prepare their official response to the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board’s request for downstate casino license applications, announced the consortium behind the project, made up of Thor Equities, Saratoga Casino Holdings, the Chickasaw Nation and Legends, on Thursday. The fight over the downstate casino licenses, limited in number to only three, is expected to be very competitive, reports amNY, with the Coney Island proposal drawing particular scrutiny from local officials.

“This project represents Brooklyn’s next big moment, and I can’t think of a better place for a world-class entertainment venue than right here in Coney Island,” said Cornegy in a press statement.

Cornegy, who ran unsuccessfully for BP in 2021, stands in front of the iconic Parachute Jump in Coney Island.

✰✰✰

WEGMANS SUPERMARKETS ANNOUNCE RECALL ON PRODUCT WITH UNLISTED INGREDIENT

BROOKLYN NAVY YARD —Wegmans Supermarkets on Friday evening, Feb. 3, sent out a Recall Alert for a prepared meal stocked in many of its stores, including the location at 21 Flushing Avenue in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Wegmans Indian Entree Chicken Korma with Basmati Turmeric Rice has been recalled because select packages of the Chicken Korma (UPC: 0-77890-51710-3 with a best-by date of Nov. 8, 2023) may actually contain Vegan Tikka Masala, having a cashew allergen, even though it is not listed in the ingredients, Individuals and families with tree nut allergies should not consume this product.

All affected products may be returned to the customer service desk at one’s local Wegmans for a full refund.

✰✰✰

EDUCATION ADVOCATES TO GOVERNOR: DO NOT EXPAND CHARTER SCHOOLS IN NYC

CITYWIDE — State legislators and advocates on Friday, Feb. 3, called on Governor Hochul to drop her plan to expand charter schools in New York City. State Senator John Liu (D-Queens), chairperson of the Senate Committee on NYC Education, and the coalition charge that if the expansion takes effect, it would further divert critically-needed resources away from traditional public schools. Although Gov. Hochul plans to keep the statewide cap on charters, she wants to lift the maximum limit on charters, currently set at 275, within New York City.

While charter schools are privately operated and thus can circumvent laws on accepting students with disabilities, they receive substantial amounts of public money and wield legal power: for example, the NYC Department of Education is required to either provide space for charter schools in its public buildings, or pay the rent for charters operating in private buildings.

✰✰✰

BROOKLYN CONGRESSMEMBER CO-SPONSORS GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION BILLS

NATIONWIDE — Congressmember Dan Goldman (D-10/western Brooklyn) has co-sponsored a package of three gun-violence prevention bills: The Assault Weapons Ban would prohibit the sale, transfer, manufacture, and importation of semiautomatic weapons and ammunition-feeding devices capable of accepting more than fifteen rounds, but protect hunting and sporting rifles and military and law personnel’s assault weapons. The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2023 would require that every sale of a firearm include a background check, but includes specific technical exemptions for family transfers and temporary hunting transfers. Ethan’s Law, named after a teen who was fatally shot by a neighbor’s gun, would require owners to secure their firearms in a “secure gun storage or safety device.”

Eight of the ten deadliest mass shootings in recent American history have involved an assault weapon that would have been banned for purchase under the previous Assault Weapons Ban, which expired in 2004.

✰✰✰

CRITICAL SAFETY WARNING ABOUT AIRBAGS IN SOME OLDER HONDA MODELS

NATIONWIDE — Owners of about 8,200 older Honda vehicles from 2001-2003 are warned to stop driving them until dangerous air bag inflators are replaced, the manufacturer warned on Friday, Feb. 3. According to several news reports, Honda and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have issued a “Do Not Drive” advisory for the 2001 through 2003 vehicles with Takata inflators that have a high possibility of exploding during collisions and hurling shrapnel into the faces of driver and passenger.

Vehicles affected include the 2001 and 2002 Honda Accord and Civic, the 2002 Honda CR-V and Odyssey SUVs, the 2003 Honda Pilot, the 2002 and 2003 Acura 3.2 TL and the 2003 Acura 3.2 CL. Owners can check to see if their cars are covered by going to https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls and keying in their 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN).

✰✰✰

DMV RECOVERS 231 STOLEN VEHICLES, PLUS PARTS

STATEWIDE — Hondas, some of whose models ironically have serious airbag safety issues were the most stolen vehicle models to be recovered during 2022, according to a report released on Friday, Feb. 6, from Gov. Kathy Hochul. The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles helped New Yorkers recover 231 stolen vehicles — 76 of which were Honda models —collectively valued at more than $7.3 million last year, with the DMV also recovering 81 stolen vehicle parts, worth $67,223. And, 23 Jeeps were recovered, totaling $1.03 million.

Interestingly, luxury models like Alfa Romeo, Lexus and Porsche had the least number of recoveries — or perhaps thefts.

✰✰✰

HOCHUL TO COMMIT $1B TO MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS

ALBANY — Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday announced details of her $1 billion multi-year plan to overhaul New York’s mental health care system and drastically reduce the number of individuals with unmet mental health needs throughout the state. Intended to correct the effects of what she called decades of underinvestment, the governor revealed that the plan will involve adding 1,000 new inpatient psychiatric hospital beds, 3,500 new units of supportive housing for individuals who need outpatient care, investments into youth-focused school and at-home crisis intervention programs, and legislation mandating insurance coverage for mental health care, alongside drug mitigation efforts.

Hochul’s announcement expands on the details she offered about her mental health plan during her State of the State address last month.