POLICE COMMISSIONER APPOINTS NEW CHIEFS
CITYWIDE — NEW POLICE COMMISSIONER EDWARD CABAN ON FRIDAY announced the appointment of two senior officers to department chief positions, following turbulence in the NYPD’s upper ranks earlier this summer that culminated in the abrupt departure of Mayor Adams’ original pick for the post, former Commissioner Keechant Sewell, in June after just 18 months on the job. Joseph Kenny, most recently the Commanding Officer of Citywide Investigations for the Detective Bureau, was appointed to be Chief of Detectives, while John Benoit, currently second-in-command at the department’s Personnel Bureau, was promoted to its Chief.
Both men are 31-year veterans of the NYPD and have served in a variety of leadership roles across the boroughs, according to a press release from the NYPD.
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MTA BUS CRASHES INTO 6 PARKED CARS, DRIVES OFF
MILL BASIN — Surveillance video obtained by abc7 Eyewitness News shows what appears to be an MTA bus that crashed into six cars at Mill Avenue and Avenue U in Mill Basin, Brooklyn on Friday around 9 a.m. NYC Transit President Richard Davey said they are investigating why the B47 bus hit the parked vehicles. The driver was suspended.
The incident left residents “stunned and speechless and wondering why the driver didn’t stop,” abc7 reports.
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NYPD’S BOMB SQUAD CLEARS OUT 8TH AVE. AFTER RECEIVING CALL WITH THREAT
PARK SLOPE — THE HIGH HOLY DAYS CELEBRATIONS were already marred by what some sources call a possible bomb threat and others a police investigation. The NYPD’s 78th Precinct on Saturday, Sept. 16 around 11:30 a.m. sent out a tweet on X (formerly Twitter) advising “Please stay clear of the area around 8th Avenue and 11 Street in Park Slope Brooklyn due to a police investigation. Thank you for your understanding.” Citizen.com reported at 12:52 p.m. Saturday that “NYPD’s Bomb Squad has determined there is no threat at the location.” An X (formerly Twitter) post on Saturday from local resident Terri Gerstein read, “Bomb threat at the synagogue down the street from us. Police told us to shelter in place. I’m sure it will all be ok, but what a way to start the year.”
The NYPD’s 78th Precinct staff on Friday had met with religious leaders to assure them of their vigilance and security measures. There are several synagogues located in the vicinity of the 78th Precinct’s warning area.
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CRACKDOWN ON TOBACCO SALES IN NYS BUILDINGS
STATEWIDE — GOV. KATHY HICHUL SIGNED LEGISLATION on Friday that prohibits the sale of tobacco products at vending stands and machines in New York State buildings. The bill, sponsored by Brooklyn Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn (Flatbush, Midwood) and State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal (Manhattan’s West Side) will apply to new leases and contracts with vendors.
“The fight against Big Tobacco isn’t over, but this is a significant victory as we continue to protect our communities from deadly nicotine addiction and save more lives,” Bichotte Hermelyn said in a statement.
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NYC SCHOOLS REVERSE COURSE, WILL ALLOW AI IN THE CLASSROOM
CITYWIDE — THE NYC DEPART OF EDUCATIONAL HAS REVERSED COURSE on the use of AI in the classroom, and has partnered with Microsoft to create an artificial intelligence-powered teaching assistant, according to Microsoft Source News and reported by City & State. The AI, built on the Azure OpenAI Service platform that offers coding and language models like ChatGPT, is intended to answer students’ questions and offer them personalized, real-time feedback. After ChatGPT began sweeping the country, the city’s DOE originally blocked access to the program.
In May, school Chancellor David Banks acknowledged in a Chalkbeat op-ed that the AI ban “overlooked the potential of generative AI” to support students and educators and “the reality that our students are participating in and will work in a world where understanding generative AI is crucial.”
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SUNY DOWNSTATE LAB RECEIVES GRANT FOR GROUNDBREAKING KIDNEY RESEARCH
EAST FLATBUSH — SUNY DOWNSTATE HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY in Brooklyn received one of eight seed-funding grants distributed through the State University of New York’s Technology Accelerator Fund, SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. announced Friday. The fund distributed a total of $450,000 across the state system for groundbreaking research in technologies intended to treat serious illnesses and safeguard the environment.
Downstate’s funding is earmarked for research by Professor Moro Salifu, who is developing a novel peptide drug to treat vascular access stenosis and thrombosis in kidney-failure patients on hemodialysis.
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THE HAPPY SHOP BRINGS JOY TO YOUNG PATIENTS AT MAIMONIDES
BOROUGH PARK — MAIMONIDES CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AND TOYS FOR HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN on Tuesday, September 12 launched a new gift-giving model, the Happy Shop, as part of their ongoing fellowship. The Happy Shop is a “shopping experience” for hospital-bound children. These young patients with the scan of a QR Code, can “buy” a complimentary toy to be delivered to their hospital rooms the very next morning. The pilot program has proven to be very successful, with hundreds of toys delivered since its inception.
“We all know how exciting it is to order a gift online and anxiously await for the package to arrive in the mail,” said JJ Hecht, President of Toys for Hospitalized Children. “We launched the Happy Shop to give children that shopping experience and something to look forward to. The toy brings happiness which promotes therapeutic play and healing.”
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‘LITTER BASKETS OF THE FUTURE’ COMING TO NYC STREETS
CITYWIDE — ‘FUTURISTIC’ GARBAGE CANS that cost $1,000 a pop will soon appear on New York City streets, Gothamist reports. The first shipment of 300 fancy cans, designed by Group Project, will be installed around the city in the next few weeks, Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a City Council hearing on Tuesday. NYC currently has 23,000 litter baskets citywide, including more than 13,000 wire litter baskets, according to Sanitation’s website. The old baskets are easy for residents to misuse, accessible to rats, and often overflowing, the agency said.
Group Project’s “litter basket of the future” is rat resistant, harder for the public to misuse, easier for Sanitation Workers to use, and with more volume, Sanitation says.
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MAYOR ADAMS AWARDS KEY TO THE CITY TO SEAN ‘DIDDY’ COMBS
CITYWIDE — MAYOR ERIC ADAMS AWARDED THE KEY TO THE CITY OF NEW YORK to musician, entrepreneur and philanthropist Sean “Diddy” Combs on Friday. Combs (aka Puff Daddy) has produced and released countless iconic rap songs and albums over the decades while discovering some of hip hop’s biggest names. He is also a leading Black entrepreneur in the fashion and cannabis industries and is a philanthropic donor to Black schools and universities. “Sean Combs is the embodiment of the New York City attitude. A son of Harlem, Combs worked his way to the top, becoming a successful musical talent both in front of and behind the mic,” Adams said in a release.
“Today, I accept this key not just for me, but for every dreamer, every hustler, every artist, and every kid from New York who dares to dream big,” Combs said.
Photo: Caroline Rubinstein-Willis/ Mayoral Photography Office
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MTA: UNGA TO SNARL TRAFFIC, TAKE THE TRAIN
CITYWIDE — AVOID DRIVING IN NYC THIS WEEK — especially in or through Manhattan — while the United Nations General Assembly takes place, the MTA urges New Yorkers. Opening on Monday, the UN will host leaders from 193 member states to address the world’s most pressing issues. President Biden and the First Lady will be in New York City through Wednesday for the event. Stick to the subway and avoid cars and buses, MTA advises.
Due to increased security and traffic congestion, multiple bus route service changes will be in effect. Customers can find current statuses at mta.info.
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STATE ENVIRONMENTALISTS: HARMFUL ALGAE DETECTED IN PROSPECT PARK LAKE
PROSPECT PARK — HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS, although not often found in large cities, have been located at Prospect Park Lake, according to an interactive map from the NY State Department of Environment Conservation. Their Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) map (https://nysdec.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=ae91142c812a4ab997ba739ed9723e6e_) shows that the most recent report was filed on Friday, Sept. 15, but that the algae was present along the shore perimeter of Prospect Park Lake starting in June. HABs, which thrive in freshwater (lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams) generally consist of visible patches of cyanobacteria, varying in appearance from scattered green dots in the water, to long, linear green streaks, pea soup, or spilled green paint, the DEC website explains. Several types of cyanobacteria can pose health risks to people and animals through ingestion, skin contact, or inhalation.
While cyanobacteria (named for their blue/green hue) are naturally present in low numbers in most aquatic (freshwater and/or marine) systems, they can rapidly proliferate with warm weather, calm winds, and phosphorus-rich nutrients in the water.
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CITY’S ‘TRICK OR STREETS’ CREATES PEDESTRIAN SPACE FOR HALLOWEEN FESTIVITIES
CITYWIDE —IT ISN’T TOO SOON TO THINK ABOUT HALLOWEEN, as the NYC Department of Transportation seeks partners for Trick or Streets, which returns for a second season. As part of Trick or Streets! NYC DOT partners with Open Streets, plazas, and other corridors on Halloween to add pedestrian space during one of the busiest nights of the year. Open Streets partners, plaza partners, and community-based organizations are invited to complete a survey to express interest in joining the paranormal public space program between now and Sept. 27 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HMRKNVC). Existing Open Streets or Plaza partners may host a Trick or Streets event on either the weekend before Halloween (October 28th or 29th) or on Halloween Day (Tuesday, October 31st). NYC coordinates with local partners and other city agencies to make car-free spaces possible.
Existing Open Streets on a bus route, truck route, or major thoroughfare may only operate on the weekend before Halloween (October 28th or 29th).
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GOVERNOR’S NEW CARS ACTION SET TO COMBAT VEHICLE THEFT
STATEWIDE — A NEW SERIES OF TARGETED ACTIONS AIMS TO COMBAT THE HIGH NUMBER OF CAR THEFTS, particularly of certain Kia and Hyundai model vehicles, in all New York State counties, Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Friday. These actions, together called the Comprehensive Auto-Theft Reduction Strategy, with the acronym CARS, will fast-track $50 million for law enforcement technology and equipment, direct the State Police and Division of Criminal Justice Services to implement new enforcement efforts, support local district attorneys in the prosecution of car thefts and other crimes, and launch a public engagement campaign targeting vulnerable car owners.
The CARS program will also provide $5 million to enhance youth justice alternatives and diversion programming for teenagers and young adults.
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CITY WANTS IDEAS FOR SAFE AND HANDSOME SIDEWALK SHEDS
CITYWIDE — ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING FIRMS AND OTHER QUALIFIED VENDORS IN THE CITY ARE BEING SOUGHT to reimagine sidewalk pedestrian protection designs, according to a NYC Department of Buildings Request for Proposal that was published in the City Record this week. The RFP seeks ideas for new designs for sidewalk sheds and alternative pedestrian protection measures, as part of the city’s “Get Sheds Down” plan. The new designs that emerge from the RFP will be considered in the strategy to make these structures both safe and aesthetically pleasing. The deadline to submit a proposal to the Department is Oct. 5, 2023, via the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services, with a three-year contract term and a one-year renewal option.
These designs will be incorporated directly into Codes, and will eventually replace the ubiquitous hunter-green plywood and pipe sheds that cover over 370 miles of New York City sidewalks.
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CLIMATE WEEK EVENTS INCLUDE FAIR ON ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY BUILDING UPGRADES
BROOKLYN BOROUGH HALL — BUILDING OWNERS AND MANAGERS IN THIS BOROUGH MAY BE INTERESTED IN a Brooklyn Sustainable Building Resource Fair that Borough President Antonio Reynoso is hosting at Brooklyn Borough Hall on Thursday, Sept. 21, from 4-7 p.m., as part of Climate Week. The Resource Fair, which aims to help property owners and managers do the retrofits and other maintenance work to comply with Local Law 97, will bring in experts and experienced contractors who specialize in heat pumps, solar, weatherization, HVAC, lighting, electric, renewable energy, and waste management. Financial and tax incentives will also be discussed, with experts in those fields also present.
Several elected officials and organizations are co-sponsoring this event: Borough President Reynoso, Councilmember Lincoln Restler, Con Edison, Better Buildings NY, and the NYSERDA-funded Brooklyn Energy Hub.
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REP. GOLDMAN’S BILL WOULD HONOR BROOKLYN’S SHIRLEY CHISHOLM WITH CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL
BOROUGHWIDE — SHIRLEY CHISHOLM, THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN ELECTED TO CONGRESS, SHOULD BE AWARDED A MEDAL, says Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10), who has introduced a bill to make that happen. Congressman Goldman joined colleague Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-12) to introduce the bill to honor the late Shirley Chisholm with a Congressional Gold Medal, the highest expression of national gratitude for distinguished service and achievement. The Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act would posthumously award one of the nation’s highest honors to the trailblazing New Yorker, who was elected to the House of Representatives in 1968 and represented New York’s 12th Congressional District (Bedford-Stuyvesant) until 1982.
A founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, the seven-term Congresswoman was also the first African American and woman to campaign for the Democratic Party presidential nomination in 1972 — with the slogan “Unbought and Unbossed.” Although she lost the Democratic nomination, she continued serving in Congress for another 11 years.
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SILVER ALERT FOR MISSING SENIOR IN CYPRESS HILLS
CYPRESS HILLS — POLICE HAVE ISSUED A SILVER ALERT FOR MISSING MAN EATON LAVERNE, age 72, who was last seen on the afternoon of Tuesday, September 12 inside his Pitkin Avenue residence, near the Grant Avenue A train stop. Laverne is described as around 5’3” and 130 pounds, with a dark complexion, short gray hair and a short gray beard, and was last seen wearing a blue denim hat, blue-and-white sweater, blue jeans and white sneakers.
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). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (Twitter) @NYPDTips.
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