• Be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times. Criminals often target people who are distracted.
• Whether driving, walking or taking public transportation, plan the trip in advance. Know how to get to your destination by the most direct and safest route.
• If possible, stay in designated waiting areas or in view of the station booth clerk while awaiting your train. Never walk or stand near the edge of the subway platform.
• Travel on populated, well lit streets. If possible, travel with a friend.
• When driving, keep your doors locked and the windows closed. Make sure the gas tank is full. Maintain your car in good working order to avoid breakdowns.
• Always lock your car. Before getting into your car, check the back seat to make sure no one is hiding there.
• Avoid leaving valuables in your car. Whenever possible, place items out of sight in the trunk of your vehicle prior to reaching your destination. Never leave packages in the passenger compartment unattended.
• Plan your purchases in advance and carry only the amount of cash or number of credit cards necessary to make the purchase. If you must carry a large sum of money, divide the cash between your purse, pockets and wallet.
• Cancel credit cards you don’t use and keep a record of the account numbers for each credit card you possess. This will facilitate reporting the theft or loss of the cards.
• Carry your purse close to your body. Place one end of the purse in the palm of your hand and the other in the bend of the elbow. Never wrap the strap around your body.
• If you are carrying a wallet, carry it in the breast pocket of your jacket or in your side pants pocket. The rear pants pocket is the easiest to pick.
• When in a restaurant, don’t leave your handbag over the back of your chair or on the floor. Don’t leave belongings unattended.
• Don’t wait until you have reached your front door to look for your keys. Have them ready in your hand. If a stranger is standing near your door, it may be a good idea not to go in until the situation feels safer.
• Lock your front door immediately upon entering your home.
• If you live in an apartment building, don’t buzz in someone who rings your bell until you have verified who they are. This will help protect both you and your neighbors.
• If you have elderly family members or neighbors, please remember to check in on them.
• Remind children to be wary of strangers, including those on the internet.
• Be wary of con artists. Con artists use a number of ploys to trick you and steal your property. Some divert your attention while another picks your pocket, some pose as utility workers or as a trades person to gain access to the inside of your home, while others conduct scams that are more elaborate involving several con artists.
• Be wary of telephone and email solicitations asking for personal information about your accounts, passwords or social security number.
• As a consumer you should avoid illegal vendors selling goods on the street. Purchase merchandise only from licensed vendors or reputable stores. Follow your instincts. Remember, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is”.

PLEASE BE RESPONSIBLE, DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE!

In case of emergency, dial 911
(Non emergency dial, 311)

Help us fight terrorism, report suspicious activity to the

COUNTER TERRORISM HOTLINE
1-888-NYC-SAFE
(1-888-692-7233)

NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS BUREAU
CRIME PREVENTION SECTION

Violations Reported at 94% of Nursing Homes

More than 90 percent of nursing homes were cited for violations of federal health and safety standards last year, and for-profit homes were more likely to have problems than other types of nursing homes, federal investigators say in a report issued on Monday.

 

About 17 percent of nursing homes had deficiencies that caused “actual harm or immediate jeopardy” to patients, said the report, by Daniel R. Levinson, the inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services.

 

Problems included infected bedsores, medication mix-ups, poor nutrition and abuse and neglect of patients.

You can read the entire article here: Violations Reported at 94% of Nursing Homes

Many of you followed Hendrix’s story via the blog and website over at NorCalGSPRescue, I am happy to be able to say that Hendrix has found a forever home! He is now living a real dog’s life on a ranch in Arizona where he gets to run around in his wheeled cart on 40 acres of land. He gets to play with other dogs and cats and has an adopter who has fallen for his great personality!

You can read all about Hendrix and also if you would like to help feel free to donate while you are there.

Read all about Hendrix here: http://www.norcalgsprescue.com/hendrix.shtml

———–

Hello Everyone,

Today’s post is not a usual post for me, nor is it neighborhood related. I am passing on an urgent need for a friend of mine. Those of you that know me know that I had a beautiful German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP) named Sassy. Sassy passed away a while back and I miss her till this day, there will never be another dog like her. I created several sites in her memory G.S.P. Blogs and Pet Rescue Directory have been up and running in her memory in the hopes that these sites might help other pets in their time of need.

I didn’t just want to plug my other sites, I have a reason for this post. My good friends over at NorCalGSP Rescue have an urgent need to place one of their GSP’s. Hendrix is no ordinary GSP, he is an extraordinary dog that has over come many battles in his life so far. He is now facing one more battle in which his time is running out! Hendrix needs a home, however please read below what was sent to me before you say “I’ll take him”, it is not as simple as you might think.

Hi,

As many of you know, we have been looking for an adoptive home for Hendrix, and have not had much luck.  Julie and Shari fostered him for many, many months (thank you so much!), and when they were no longer able to, we found a new foster home for him.  That foster home will not be able to foster him past September 30th.  If we cannot find a long-term foster home or placement for him within the next two weeks, we are out of options for him.

We have had him since he was 4 weeks old, given up by a backyard breeder with the story that the pup needed surgery from the umbilical cord having wrapped around and that he couldn’t afford it.  Turns out the pup has spina bifida, not surgically repairable.  Hendrix is neutered, up to date on shots, has had spinal surgery to repair the opening on his back to prevent infection, is crate trained, has completed puppy class.  He is presently 36 pounds and will probably be about 40 pounds when fully mature.  Medical records for all of his care are available.  He is not house trained (bowel or bladder) because of his disability, and wears diapers when inside.  He’s been to therapy essentially weekly to work on strengthening his rear legs.  He just received his wheeled cart and loves it!

I have promoted him on our web site, other web sites, Yahoo group posts for German Shorthaired Pointers and rescue groups, our newsletter, and through flyers.  I have contacted sanctuaries and humane societies, to no avail.  We have been unable to secure another foster home, or an adoptive home for him.  We had two potential adopters that both fell through.  He is sweet, loving, lovable, and smart.  Here’s the information we have been sending out far and wide:Hendrix is now 10 months old, and has a wonderful personality! He was discarded at 4 weeks by a backyard breeder and is in this situation through no fault of his own. He will need an adoptive or foster home that can see past his physical limitations and help him develop his full potential. He gets around the house very well, doing best with smooth floors to scoot himself around. He stands up to eat and to interact. He has a sling that is used to help him walk, and wears wraps or diapers while loose in the house. Hendrix has been receiving weekly rehabilitative therapy to develop his strength and use of his back legs, and his wheeled cart has just arrived - be sure to check out his blog for his newest videos http://www.norcalgsprescue.com/adopt.shtml and click through, or directly at http://gspblogs.com/norcalgsp/category/hendrix/.

Hendrix is excellent with dogs large and small, kids of all ages, and has not shown aggression towards cats (and couldn’t chase one too well anyway!) He loves to play shadow games http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS5ZWdqHxCI

as you can see here in one of his videos! He’s crate trained and has completed puppy class. He’ll do best in a home with another playful dog, and people who are physically capable of caring for him – assisting him in his sling, cleaning up after him, carrying out his therapy routine, protecting his skin, and giving him the love that GSPs demand!

When you meet Hendrix, you will fall in love with him. Despite his physical problems, he’s good-natured, very affectionate, full of playful puppy energy, and incredibly intelligent and eager to learn.

We are offering transportation for him if we can find a suitable place, and he would come with a crate, sling, wheelchair, diapers, toys and a monetary donation to help offset some of his care.  He needs a place that is physically accessible for him, easily cleaned, and will work with his skin issues; and people who can manage his care, which is not inconsequential.  Attached is a flyer (thank you Laura!) for you to forward and/or post.  Please let me know if you can help, time is of the essence.

Thanks!  Barbara

Barbara Gale

Foster Coordinator

H 650-325-5543

C 650-207-3501

F 650-324-2147

www.NorCalGSPrescue.com

Support us at no cost to you when shopping online!

http://www.iGive.com/norcalgsprescue

You can read the decision on the WaterBlogged site at: http://www.waterblogged.org/judges-decision-dep-stated-no-blasting-issued-a-reasonable-study/

In not so many words, the decision said that the issue of blasting was withdrawn by the agency two business days before they appeared in court on September 3rd (and therefore moot). It also stated that since the DEP issued a study (also presented to the court two business days before the September 3rd appearance) and made a reasoned analysis of the impacts of the new work they expected to do, that it satisfied the environmental law requirements.

Looks like we made them do the right thing! Way to go team!
/Karen

The meeting was called to order in a timely fashion. Captain D’Adamo spoke of the 17 new patrol officers that came into the precinct two months ago. He deployed them in the evening shifts throughout the week to the areas that needed special attention. Most of the crime stats were down, but there is an increase in car brake ins. The room was full of people from every area of the precinct and a lively discussion was held.

Report special problems to the CONDITIONS UNIT at 718-796-3867 to Sgt. John Moran or Lt. James McGeown (james.mcgeown@nypd.org).

Precinct Community Affairs is being handled by PO Mindy Ramos at 718-543-5979 (or try 718-543-5978).

FIPNA gave in two complaints about parking in the cross walk on Giles and Ft Independence and about loud noise from some homes over the summer.

Come to the meetings, they are interesting and short. We have posted the dates and times on our calendar. It would be nice for people to volunteer to cover the meeting so that we can rotate the task to all on the block. Let us know by email if you would like to take a turn or two.

Thanks,
Karen and Lynn

On September 3, we returned to court to argue that 76 days ago on June 19, 2008 - the DEP announced for the first time, that it was going to make a substantial change to the 2004 Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) for the work proposed at the Jerome Park Reservoir related to the now almost $3 Billion Croton Water Treatment Plant (CWTP).

This change was not a minor deviation from a prior approved plan but rather a literal bombshell dropped by DEP when it proposed to blast a shaft through soil and rock along “Education Mile” adjacent to the Jerome Park Reservoir. Had DEP stayed this ill-advised course, this substantial change would have resulted in numerous significant adverse environmental impacts as outlined in Plaintiff’s brief.

To read more . . . continue on the link below:

http://www.waterblogged.org/grass-roots-assure-environmental-promises-are-kept/

/Karen, Phil and Lynn

Congratulations to all,

Karen

Around 4:30am, The new administrator, Bruce Zarret, whom I officially have not met yet arrived at Kingsbridge, we all were hoping this was a good sign that things were going to go smoothly. With the judges order in hand the union hoped to return to work starting at 5am this morning, however it did not get off to a good start, as the clock got close to 5:00am the new administrator instructed the security guards to lock the doors even though Pearl from the union along with the union’s attorney and all the early workers were ready to get to work.

Since the nursing home would not allow access to the building we just documented the incident with video and waited until 5:30am to try again with the next crew of workers. The waiting game continued on, at about 7:00am Helen finally arrived, she was ushered from a taxi into the building under cover by the security guards and once again closed the doors behind her.

Finally a little before 8:00am the administrator emerged from the building and spoke with Isaac, Pearl and the union’s attorney. It was decided that the workers could start entering the building using a slow arduous process. They were allowed to enter the building only after names were compared and lists were checked, slowly a few members of a group at a time entered. It was finally the moment we were all waiting for when the “REAL” workers of Kingdbridge were allowed back in the building.

This all went on for the good part of the morning and early afternoon, then after the 3:00pm shift was cleared and in the building the last shift that was left was the 11:00pm shift. It took a lot of time and effort but by 11:30pm all of the Kingsbrdige workers were back where they belong.

As the workers finished their shifts they all had many things to say, “the residents were so happy to see them back” was the unanimous thought that came to the workers when asked what was happening inside. I was told that they all had to go through some type of orientation where Helen herself spoke to them and allegedly stated that she is appealing the court order and she will win! All I can say is this is just more scare tactics from a heartless, callous woman. Doesn’t she think that these workers have been subjected to enough already? I mean remember they were forced out in the middle of February in the cold and snow, they had bright noisy lights shining on them while a guard with a german shepard patrolled the sidewalk in front of Kingsbridge making it look more like a concentration camp than a nursing home. They had to scrape by on unemployment and a stipend that the union afforded them, they couldn’t go to the doctor because they had no insurance and had to worry about if they were ever going back to their job again.

Six months! SIX MONTHS of this punishment they were forced to endure and when they finally get back to work what do they have? The same woman who cut their benefits and told them they were all fired is now telling them that they are back but not for long because she is going to win the appeal. Give me a break already!

There is so much more to say as emotions were high all around, maybe it was from a lack of sleep but I too was happy and sad to see all the workers go back inside. I was happy because they finally received the justice they deserve, but sad because all these good friends of mine will not be right outside my door 24 hours a day. Who am I going to talk to at 3:00am?

Please have a look at the many pictures of all the workers returning to work, we have pictures from all shifts starting from early morning all the way through to midnight when the last of the workers returned. You can browse the gallery here: STRIKE 2008 OVER!

I will have a video by early next week posted of all the employees returning to work, it was a very emotional day for all. Let us not forget that today is Audrey Campbell-Smith’s birthday, how appropriate is it that the workers are finally back to work on the day of her birthday?

Now today (Friday), the day after everyone returned to work there was a news frenzy over this strike! Who ever thought one little nursing home on a one way street in the Bronx could attract so much attention.

Striking Nursing Home Workers Return to Work - NY Times

Tarnished workers strike gold - NY Daily News

Kingsbridge Workers Return - 1199SEIU Website

Also News12 was here talking to the kitchen workers and asking how everything was going now that they are back to work.

One final thought, even though the workers are back to work, the battle is long from over. As the union members used to chant on the picket line “Helen Sieger, Got to go!”.

What does this have to do with the Reservoir you ask?

Simple, for the last several months the DEP has kept the reservoir empty on both sides of the wall. The north side is empty and pretty much dry, however the south side is empty but with large standing pools of water that have now turned green and mossy.

So why is this a health issue? Again, simple, standing water attracks mosiqutoes and with them come disease. The Health Departments own statement says:

“Take Simple Steps to Avoid Mosquitoes:

 

* Eliminate any standing water from your property, and dispose of containers that can collect water. Make sure roof gutters are clean and draining properly. Standing water is a violation of the health code. ”

So is DEP getting a violation? This is a serious situation that needs immediate addressing. Millions of mosquitoes could be breeding as I am typing this, do you want to be the next infected person?

I am asking everyone to call 311 and report the standing water in the south side of the reservoir. Please ask for a complaint number and if you can send it to us via our contact form.

By now all the shifts have reported and most people are working. We don’t really understand why, but for some reason the home thinks the workers needed orientation, so they found out the new rules.

Hopefully, they will find all the right equipment at the home. You can send your comments in anonymously if you like (like any media, we will protect our sources), just send them in and let us know to protect you. Are there boxes of disposable gloves on every floor?