Dear Fellow Sergeant,

In the early morning hours of June 3, two Police Officers from the 115 Precinct were shot and wounded while investigating a robbery pattern. PO Christopher Abreu, a 5-year NYPD veteran, was shot in the leg, while PO Richard Yarusso, a 2 ½-year Department veteran, was struck by a bullet in his vest and grazed in the stomach.

The gunman, who was shot and wounded, was taken into custody. It has been determined that he entered the United States illegally and is a suspect in several snatch and grab robberies in Queens.

It is a miracle that these brave officers were not more seriously wounded or killed in this senseless shooting. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they recover from their injuries.

We continue to have ongoing contract negotiations with the City to try to reach an agreement that is in the best interest of all members of the SBA. We assure you that we are still relentlessly and tirelessly working toward a contract resolution. There are still several sticking points that need to resolved. The disparity in the salary schedule is the number-one issue. We do not believe anyone should have to give anything up to pay to correct unbalanced compensation when receiving a civil service promotion.

Please continue to be patient. This is a time to be united, not divisive. The contract will be settled, and we will not have to deal with these inequities in the future.
We had the pleasure and privilege of presenting 21 scholarships to the children and dependents of active and Lifetime members at the Delegate meeting on May 23. This is one of the highlights of the year because the pride and respect in both the students and their parents or guardians is so clear to see.

Throughout the year, there are numerous fundraisers that allow us to present these hard-earned and well-deserved scholarships, as well as provide resources for the Widows and Children’s Fund.

Among them is the annual Golf Outing, which was held this year on May 22 at the Pelham Bay and Split Rock Golf Course in the Bronx. There was a huge turnout of active and retired members, and an enjoyable time was had by all. A big thank you to all the participants, as well as the many sponsors who helped make this event an unmitigated success.

As we look forward to summer, let us not forget SDS Erik Duran, who was in court in the Bronx on May 14 for absurd criminal charges brought about by the New York State Attorney’s Office.

SDS Duran is a 14-year NYPD veteran who was indicted for Manslaughter, Assault, and Criminally Negligent Homicide for actions that occurred in August 2023, while trying to prevent a drug suspect from fleeing the scene of an arrest on a motor scooter.

We vow to do everything within our power to ensure that SDS Duran is cleared of these scurrilous charges and his sterling reputation is restored. Thank you very much to the legions of NYPD and law enforcement personnel who have attended his court proceedings. Your support during this challenging ordeal is incredibly important, greatly appreciated, and never taken for granted.

In a unanimous decision on May 21, the State Supreme Court Appellate Division upheld a trial court finding that switching retired municipal workers, including NYPD members, to a cost-saving private plan and stripping them of their Medigap coverage would break guarantees that had been implemented many years ago.

“The City has made clear, consistent, unambiguous representations – oral and written – over the course of more than 50 years, that the NYC municipal worker retirees would have the option of receiving health care in the form of traditional Medicare with a City-paid supplemental plan,” wrote the four-justice panel.

“Consequently, the City cannot now mandate the proposed change eliminating that choice.”

This is GREAT news for all retirees and provides proof that when litigants are unified and organized and on the right side of a controversial issue, justice will prevail.

Please do not forget that the annual SBA Family Picnic will be held from 1200 to 1700 hours on Friday, June 28, at Nansen Park in Staten Island. This is a wonderful yearly event, where there are lots of activities for children while old friends and colleagues can re-connect. We hope to see you there.

In the meantime, best wishes for a happy and healthy summer. Please remain vigilant and know that the SBA is always here for you.

Fraternally,

Vincent J. Vallelong
President
Sergeants Benevolent Association