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Hundreds Of Bodies Of COVID-19 Victims Lying In Freezer Trailers In Brooklyn; City Struggling To Find Next Of Kin

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — The bodies of hundreds of people who died from COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic remain unclaimed by their families. The city’s morgue could not hold them all. About 650 bodies lie inside freezer trailers on Pier 39 in Sunset Park , Brooklyn – a backlog of lives taken away by the coronavirus as it spread rapidly in the spring, CBS2’s Hazel Sanchez reported Monday. The city is cautiously bracing for a second wave . “We haven’t seen some of those particular warning signs yet,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio . “Thank god, but we are very, very vigilant. But, we’ll make sure medical examiner is ready either way.” The medical examiner’s office has a task force assigned to identify bodies and another team to track down next of kin. However, they’re struggling to find the families of some 230 people. FLASHBACK: Coronavirus Update: If NYC Cemeteries Get Filled, Could Temporary Burials Happen On Hart Island? Relatives of others have been found, but can’t afford a proper burial yet. “We’re trying to work with each and every family of those we lost during that situation, to make sure that they can have the kind of services they want to have at the right time,” de Blasio said. CBS2 received the following statement from Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Barbara Sampson: “Supporting families and helping facilitate respectful final arrangements for individuals who passed at the height of the pandemic reflects the core mission of the Office of Chief Medical Examiner. As we continue to utilize medical, scientific, and forensic expertise to help answer vital questions around the effects of illness, we recognize that this ongoing work has served as a nationwide example in part because of the hard work and dedication of our family outreach staff in helping families navigate these unprecedented circumstances.” Joe Aievoli, whose family owns six funeral homes, said no one, including himself, was prepared for the COVID-19 death toll. “I rented several refrigerated trailers,” Aievoli said. “Even though we had someone in our custody, it would sometimes take three or four weeks before we can have availability at a cemetery or a crematory.” MORE: Staten Island Funeral Home Owner A ‘Godsend’ For Families When New York’s Coronavirus Death Toll Skyrocketed Aievoli said most funeral homes were able to catch up by the end of June. He feels for the city, which is still trying to find families and help them make arrangements for loved ones. “Don’t want to inter someone without exhausting all the avenues of trying to find next of kins and, who knows, there can be next of kins that also fell victim to the pandemic,” he said. Aievoli said he tries his best to help families find the most affordable way to respectfully lay their loves ones to rest. Families can choose a free burial on Hart Island . The medical examiner’s office said it will continue operating the storage facility in Brooklyn at least until the pandemic is declared over. MORE FROM CBS NEW YORK: COVID In NYC: Business Owners On Edge With Another Possible Shutdown Looming, Say They Need Compensation To Stay Afloat NYPD Officer Assaulted By Multiple People While Jogging In Queens COVID In New York: Cuomo Says It’s Possible NYC Schools Could Reopen Even If Positivity Rate Stays Above 3%

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Hundreds Of Bodies Of COVID-19 Victims Lying In Freezer Trailers In Brooklyn; City Struggling To Find Next Of Kin

November 24, 2020 0 comment

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NYPD Officer Facing Federal Charges Of Conspiring To Import And Distribute Cocaine

written by AracelyZTKY

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — An NYPD officer has been arrested and accused of conspiring to import and distribute cocaine. Officer Amaury Abreu was supposed to be upholding the law while he worked at the 113th Precinct, but instead federal prosecutors say he was breaking it by allegedly helping a multinational drug operation import and distribute cocaine in New York, CBS2’s Hazel Sanchez reported Monday. The feds say from January 2016 until October this year, 34-year-old Abreu, of Hauppauge , used his policing expertise to help a multinational drug ring stay one step ahead of the law. MORE : NYPD Officer Arrested, Charged For Alleged Chokehold Arrest On Rockaway Boardwalk While other alleged members of the operation distributed the cocaine after it arrived in New York, Abreu, while assigned to the 113th Precinct in Queens, allegedly provided them with law enforcement intel, including a head’s up on warrant checks involving members of the group. Prosecutors say he was in regular contact with high-ranking members of the unidentified drug organization, even traveling to the Dominican Republic to meet with them. MORE FROM CBS NEW YORK Already Struggling Queens Business Owners Say Summonses, Fines Over COVID Guidelines Are ‘Unfair’ Cheering, Celebrations Erupt In Streets Of New York After Joe Biden Projected To Win Presidency 4.0 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Near Massachusetts, Felt In CT, Long Island, USGS Says In January 2016, Abreu allegedly reached out to the group’s leadership saying, “Today, I’m going to find out the thing I couldn’t yesterday because there were too many people at the office.” Prosecutors say drug enforcement agents have seized more than 350 kilos of cocaine from the organization. “By joining forces with his co-conspirators, Abreu has allegedly committed serious crimes, disgraced his NYPD badge and betrayed the public trust, as well as fellow members of law enforcement who put their lives on the line to interdict drugs that endanger our communities,” Acting U.S. Attorney Seth Ducharme said. Added NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea , “There is no place for corruption in the NYPD and it will always be prosecuted fully.” Abreu, a nine-year veteran of the force, was arrested at his home on Monday morning and arraigned in the afternoon. He pleaded not guilty to all of the charges. Three of his alleged co-conspirators are also under arrest. You can get the latest news, sports and weather on our brand new CBS New York app. Download here .

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NYPD Officer Facing Federal Charges Of Conspiring To Import And Distribute Cocaine

November 9, 2020 0 comment

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Violent Hit-And-Run Leaves Man Dead, Witnesses Angry

written by nbvc

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — The hunt is on for a hit-and-run driver in Queens. Police said a man was leaving dinner with friends when he was struck and killed, CBS2’s Hazel Sanchez reported Sunday. Melissa Acevedo desperately reached out to loved ones after witnessing a car slam into one of her friends and then callously speed away. She cradled the 29-year-old man as he lay dying in the street. “I was holding him. I got his blood all over me,” Acevedo said. Police said it happened at around 6:30 p.m. in the dimly lit intersection of Continental Avenue and Exeter Street in Forest Hills. Acevedo, a female friend and the victim had just finished having dinner together. The two women showed police how they were crossing Continental Avenue, the victim a few steps ahead of them, when a silver four-door sedan seemingly came out of nowhere and crashed into the victim, sending his body flying. The impact so intense the man’s shoe landed several yards away from him. “He was walking toward him like this and boom,” Acevedo said. Another man heard the crash from inside his home. “I just heard like a bang, a bang. And then I opened the door and I saw someone was lying there behind that car here and there was a girl screaming. She was distressed completely. It was horrible,” a male witness said. MORE : Police: Woman Struck By Hit-And-Run Driver In South Ozone Park, Queens Police said the car drove away northbound through the tony residential neighborhood, where neighbors say drivers tend to ignore speed limits. “People do drive very fast here, very fast,” the man said. But he said the ambulance didn’t arrive as swiftly. “I called 911 and it took forever. I tell you something, it took forever, 15 minutes to come,” he said. Witnesses said emergency responders tried to revive the victim at the scene, but he was later pronounced dead at North Shore Medical Center.

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Violent Hit-And-Run Leaves Man Dead, Witnesses Angry

November 12, 2018 0 comment

news Rap

Hackensack Children’s Hospital Celebrates Christmas In July

written by LeanneSanchez

HACKENSACK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) – A New Jersey hospital is well aware that Christmas is a half a year away, but that didn’t stop them from inviting a special someone to their pediatric center Wednesday to spread some holiday cheer. At the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center, Santa said “ho ho ho,” in July. The staff transformed one of their conference rooms into the North Pole, for their ninth annual “Christmas in July” celebration. “This makes a huge impact on all the kids in the hospital. A lot of them are stuck in their rooms,” said child life specialist Kim Mason. It brought a smile to all their pediatric patients, like 4-year-old Luke Shay of Sayville, Long Island, who’s here recovering from a successful brain surgery. “This is such a nice set up with the kids, really brighten his day and made the experience that much better,” said Sayville, Long Island (mother?) resident Meghan Shay. The same went for Zoe Ditrani who is on her 8th week of chemotherapy. “Gives her something to be happy with in the middle of all of this,” said Hillsdale, New Jersey resident Robin Ditrani. Leart Dervishaj, 6, is another child having a difficult time. The boy’s family was scammed on Facebook last month when they were trying to buy him a dog. He eventually got his dream pet, but still has a long road ahead of him. His mom says this atmosphere helps. “Takes mind off of the medical part of it, not so much, medication and doctors,” said Little Ferry resident Rezarta Osmani. Santa couldn’t get the toys here alone. It was police officers from all over New Jersey that delivered the hundreds of toys. Organized by the New Jersey Honor Legion, they turned their cars into sleds for the day. “This is one of the things we look forward to every year. One of the first things we do is plan our calendar and pick out a day, and we start pushing it back in January,” said New Jersey Honor Legion president Michael Manzo. July 25 is the new December 25, at least at this hospital.

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Hackensack Children’s Hospital Celebrates Christmas In July

July 25, 2018 0 comment

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Drunk Driver Leaves Trail Of Destruction Through Streets Of Hoboken

written by MonikaWillard

HOBOKEN, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — Smashed and sideswiped, dozens of car owners woke up to see their rides banged up in Hoboken early Wednesday. 93-year-old Vinnie Wassman was one of dozens left wondering how and when it happened. The entire drivers side of his SUV was sideswiped by a drunk driver, along with at least three dozen other cars on the same street. “I didn’t know until this morning,” Wassman said. “Then I was surprised!” The individual, a 22 yr old male from Union City, is under arrest for DWI, two counts of assault by auto, and Leaving the Scene of an accident. There are many more than a half dozen cars struck. The @HobokenPD will put out a release with all details later this morning. @ecruz38 — Chief Ken Ferrante (@KenFerrante) July 25, 2018 Police say the driver, 22-year-old Miguel Allen, of Union City, works at a restaurant in town. After getting off work late Tuesday, he went to a bar on the heavily trafficked Washington Street where he met two women. The women told police he claimed he was a livery cab driver and could take them home, so they took him up on his offer. What followed was a frightening ride, weaving side to side on nearby Bloomfield Street from First to Eighth Streets striking parked cars along the way around 1:20 a.m. Laura Golden says the bumper on her SUV was torn clean off. “Nobody was in around, so in that regard we’re grateful that nobody was hurt except for occupants of the car,” Golden said. Bob Chase witnessed the chaos play out right in front of his home. He says the driver kept driving despite the deployment of his airbag. “He looked out the window driving with the door open,” Chase said. “I’ve never seen anything like that.” Cops quickly apprehended Allen after his eight-block ride of terror, saying he was too drunk to even stand. Hoboken Police Chief Ken Ferrante says the whole experience was a first for him. “We’ve had a couple of these types of situations where for long stretches, one block, two blocks, a drunk driver is hitting cars,” he said. “Going seven or eight blocks, this many cars… I don’t recall in my 26 years.” Neighbors in the tree-lined neighborhood say they hope they don’t see this much activity on their street anytime soon. Allen and his two passengers were all injured and were taken to a hospital. The two passengers remained hospitalized Wednesday afternoon, but further details on their injuries were not disclosed.

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Drunk Driver Leaves Trail Of Destruction Through Streets Of Hoboken

July 25, 2018 0 comment

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Cowboy Hats, Wiffle Balls Represent At Trump ‘Made In America’ Event

written by CharityYNZB

WASHINGTON, DC (CBSNewYork) – In this unassuming brick building in Newark, N.J., is a more than 100-year-old family run business making something you might not expect to have roots in the garden state: Cowboy hats. “It’s a big surprise that we make so many hats, and we make them in Newark,” said Dean Serratelli of the Serratelli Hat Company. “We’ve basically had to survive by manufacturing in the United States.” Because Serratelli has been manufacturing his wide-brimmed beauties in the USA for decades, it was picked to represent New Jersey in President Trump’s “Made in America” showcase in Washington D.C., reports CBS2’s Hazel Sanchez. “After many years of decline, American manufacturing is coming back bigger and better and stronger than ever before,” said Trump on Monday. One manufacturer from each state is showcasing their U.S.-made products at the White House, including the Wiffle Ball, Inc. from Shelton, Conn. “I know how difficult it is for companies to make a decision either to stay in the U.S. or to go,” said David Mullany, president of Wiffle Ball, Inc. “We’re focused on making our products where we are,” he said. “Our products are sourced domestically. We just gotta keep our heads down and keep doing what we’re doing.” Today’s event comes as the Trump administration battles it out in a trade war with China and the European Union. “I think we’re already becoming more pro-U.S. manufacturing with what President Trump is doing with China right now,” said Serratelli “I’d to see us push more and thrive in those circumstances.” “We have a mother and son working here,” added Ali Ehsan, director of operations at the Serratelli Hat Co. Ehsan believes success comes from a strong family foundation. “It’s like you know everybody takes pride in what kind of hat we make, and really put the effort in there,” he said. One hat can take as little as 20 minutes to make depending on its design. Esahn says they make as many as 1,200 in one day.

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Cowboy Hats, Wiffle Balls Represent At Trump ‘Made In America’ Event

July 23, 2018 0 comment

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Joseph Pfeifer, Last 9/11 FDNY Chief, Retiring After 37 Years Of Service

written by AmeeFromekdr

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – The last of the fire chiefs who responded to the disaster at the Twin Towers on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 is retiring from the FDNY. But as CBS2’s Hazel Sanchez reports, that doesn’t mean his work is over. Joseph Pfeifer was the first FDNY chief to enter the World Trade Center on September 11th and now the last 9/11 chief to walk away from his career after 37 years of service. He was 45 years old and chief of Battalion 1 in Lower Manhattan when terrorists struck the Twin Towers. “That day, I saw the first plane aim and crash into the World Trade Center and I knew this was a terrorist attack,” he told Sanchez. Joseph Pfeifer was the first FDNY chief to enter the World Trade Center on September 11th and now the last 9/11 chief to walk away from his career after 37 years of service. (CBS2) He anchored the command post in the North Tower, advising his fire lieutenant brother Kevin Pfiefer before Kevin joined the rescue mission with 343 other firefighters who lost their lives. “Everyone that responded that day saw that thousands of people were in the greatest moment of need, and we went in to make a difference in their lives,” he said. Pfiefer said the unthinkable loss at Ground Zero has served as a foundation to drive him forward. Over the last 17 years, he’s utilized his experience to prepare others for possible terror attacks in the future. He created the FDNY Center for Terrorism and Disaster Preparedness. On Wednesday, he spoke to a group of first responders about vertical terrorism awareness – how to protect high-rises and tall structures. “What we’re really about this week is taking traumatic memories and turning them into hope,” he said. The 62-year-old married father of a grown daughter and son said he will eventually slow down, as much as his 4-year-old granddaughter will let him. “Already I’m chasing her around,” he said. Pfiefer will now go from firefighter to teacher, sharing his expertise on disaster preparedness at Harvard and Columbia universities.

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Joseph Pfeifer, Last 9/11 FDNY Chief, Retiring After 37 Years Of Service

July 11, 2018 0 comment

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Teaneck Mourns For Members Of Trinidad Family Killed In Delaware Crash

written by JameyWillilams

TEANECK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — Charges had not been filed as of Monday for the tragic car crash that killed five members of a family from New Jersey. What caused a pickup truck driver to cross a center median in Delaware Friday before slamming into the family’s minivan? The Trinidads of Teaneck were as tight as a family could be. The four beautiful sisters were inseparable in life, and tragically so in death. “As a mother, the first thing you do is hug your kids because you don’t want anything like that to ever happen,” said Teaneck resident Paula Millan. The family was headed home from a vacation in Ocean City, Maryland on Friday when a pickup truck travelling in the wrong direction on Route 1 in Delaware collided with their minivan, killing 61-year-old Audi Trinidad and his daughters — Kaitlyn, 20, Danna, 17, and 13-year-old twins Melissa and Allison. Their mother, Mary Rose, was the only one to survive. The pickup hit Brian Kerns’ car right before the Trinidads’. He suffered only minor injuries. “I had gotten out and looked behind me and it sort of looked like a war zone,” said Kerns. “I heard about what happened to the family and I was sitting there in the emergency room and my heart was just pouring out to them.” Friends and loved ones are rallying to support Mary Rose Ballocanag while she recovers and lives with the unthinkable loss. Her daughter Kaitlyn was studying to be a nurse, the twins thrived in the arts, and friends say Danna was an honor student who selflessly helped others in need. “I would be falling behind and struggling and it was kind of obvious,” Danna’s friend, Armando Desequeira, said. “She’d just go, ‘Hey, this is the answer I’ll explain to you’.” Funeral arrangements were still pending as the family awaited the arrival of relatives coming from the Philippines. Meanwhile, grief counselors were being made available at Teaneck High School through Friday.

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Teaneck Mourns For Members Of Trinidad Family Killed In Delaware Crash

July 9, 2018 0 comment