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How N.Y.C. Plans to Crack Down on Illegal Fireworks How N.Y.C. Plans to Crack Down on Illegal Fireworks
(about 7 hours later)
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It’s Wednesday.It’s Wednesday.
Weather: A high in the upper 80s with a chance of thunderstorms, turning into mostly clear skies tonight.Weather: A high in the upper 80s with a chance of thunderstorms, turning into mostly clear skies tonight.
Alternate-side parking: Suspended through Sunday.Alternate-side parking: Suspended through Sunday.
Many New Yorkers have been struggling to sleep for weeks. Now, the mayor is promising a solution.Many New Yorkers have been struggling to sleep for weeks. Now, the mayor is promising a solution.
The city’s residents, already on edge from the coronavirus pandemic, are hearing illegal fireworks booming late into the night. Thousands of complaints have flooded the city’s help and emergency lines, but to no avail.The city’s residents, already on edge from the coronavirus pandemic, are hearing illegal fireworks booming late into the night. Thousands of complaints have flooded the city’s help and emergency lines, but to no avail.
“These are not your normal kids playing with fireworks,” Michael Ford, a piano teacher in Inwood, told my colleagues. “These are real explosives, like Macy’s-style fireworks.”“These are not your normal kids playing with fireworks,” Michael Ford, a piano teacher in Inwood, told my colleagues. “These are real explosives, like Macy’s-style fireworks.”
On Monday, fed-up residents honked car horns outside Gracie Mansion in an effort to push Mayor Bill de Blasio to take action. The next morning, he announced that a fireworks task force would be created to disrupt the use and supply of illegal fireworks.On Monday, fed-up residents honked car horns outside Gracie Mansion in an effort to push Mayor Bill de Blasio to take action. The next morning, he announced that a fireworks task force would be created to disrupt the use and supply of illegal fireworks.
The task force will include 10 police officers, 12 fire marshals and 20 investigators from the city sheriff’s office. Sting operations, he said, will “go and get these illegal fireworks at the base.”The task force will include 10 police officers, 12 fire marshals and 20 investigators from the city sheriff’s office. Sting operations, he said, will “go and get these illegal fireworks at the base.”
“We’re going to go at it hard now,” the mayor added.“We’re going to go at it hard now,” the mayor added.
[New York City announced a crackdown on illegal fireworks.][New York City announced a crackdown on illegal fireworks.]
Some people on Twitter, however, voiced concerns about having the Police Department address the fireworks at a time when many New Yorkers are calling for less policing.Some people on Twitter, however, voiced concerns about having the Police Department address the fireworks at a time when many New Yorkers are calling for less policing.
Mr. de Blasio insisted that the task force would target the “big fish” supplying the fireworks, not the “kid on the corner.” Investigators will focus on the sale of fireworks inside the city and in surrounding states.Mr. de Blasio insisted that the task force would target the “big fish” supplying the fireworks, not the “kid on the corner.” Investigators will focus on the sale of fireworks inside the city and in surrounding states.
“In a lot of cases, you can’t intervene if someone shoots off a firework and they’re gone,” he said. “It’s not a good use of police time and energy.”“In a lot of cases, you can’t intervene if someone shoots off a firework and they’re gone,” he said. “It’s not a good use of police time and energy.”
It’s still a mystery as to why the amateur fireworks are happening. Other cities, including Oakland, Calif., and Baltimore, have also reported an increase in fireworks, and many people are documenting the explosions on social media.It’s still a mystery as to why the amateur fireworks are happening. Other cities, including Oakland, Calif., and Baltimore, have also reported an increase in fireworks, and many people are documenting the explosions on social media.
In one case, it appeared that even firefighters in Brooklyn were lighting fireworks.In one case, it appeared that even firefighters in Brooklyn were lighting fireworks.
Although fireworks are illegal to buy, sell or ignite in New York City, they’re generally sold from duffel bags or car trunks in working-class neighborhoods and set off days before July 4.Although fireworks are illegal to buy, sell or ignite in New York City, they’re generally sold from duffel bags or car trunks in working-class neighborhoods and set off days before July 4.
City Councilman Chaim Deutsch, who represents parts of Brooklyn and participated in the protest outside Gracie Mansion, has circulated a petition urging Mr. de Blasio to do more.City Councilman Chaim Deutsch, who represents parts of Brooklyn and participated in the protest outside Gracie Mansion, has circulated a petition urging Mr. de Blasio to do more.
“We need to send a message that we need to end these chaotic fireworks,” Mr. Deutsch said in a video posted to Twitter on Tuesday. “If we can’t sleep, you can’t sleep.”“We need to send a message that we need to end these chaotic fireworks,” Mr. Deutsch said in a video posted to Twitter on Tuesday. “If we can’t sleep, you can’t sleep.”
Jesse McKinley writes:Jesse McKinley writes:
Early results from Tuesday’s Democratic primary indicated likely wins for a pair of prominent Congress members — Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Representative Jerrold Nadler.Early results from Tuesday’s Democratic primary indicated likely wins for a pair of prominent Congress members — Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Representative Jerrold Nadler.
But there are tens of thousands of absentee ballots still to be counted, and several closely watched and hard-fought races were in limbo, including the fate of Representative Eliot L. Engel, the veteran congressman from the Bronx. Mr. Engel is fighting for his political life against Jamaal Bowman, an insurgent candidate backed by many of the Democrats’ most outspoken progressives.But there are tens of thousands of absentee ballots still to be counted, and several closely watched and hard-fought races were in limbo, including the fate of Representative Eliot L. Engel, the veteran congressman from the Bronx. Mr. Engel is fighting for his political life against Jamaal Bowman, an insurgent candidate backed by many of the Democrats’ most outspoken progressives.
Read more of our coverage:Read more of our coverage:
New York State Primary Election Results 2020New York State Primary Election Results 2020
Primary Voters in New York City Face Scattered ProblemsPrimary Voters in New York City Face Scattered Problems
Vote-by-Mail Ballot Requests Overwhelm New York City Elections AgencyVote-by-Mail Ballot Requests Overwhelm New York City Elections Agency
Insurgent Wave Upends House Primaries in N.Y. as Engel Falls BehindInsurgent Wave Upends House Primaries in N.Y. as Engel Falls Behind
Republicans Retain House Seat in Special Election in Western N.Y.Republicans Retain House Seat in Special Election in Western N.Y.
Gun Violence Spikes in N.Y.C., Intensifying Debate Over PolicingGun Violence Spikes in N.Y.C., Intensifying Debate Over Policing
N.Y. Planned Parenthood’s C.E.O. Is Ousted After Staff ComplaintsN.Y. Planned Parenthood’s C.E.O. Is Ousted After Staff Complaints
He Spent 25 Years in Prison for Murder, but Was Innocent All AlongHe Spent 25 Years in Prison for Murder, but Was Innocent All Along
Her Virus Test Came Back Positive. 3 Hours Later, She Had a Baby.Her Virus Test Came Back Positive. 3 Hours Later, She Had a Baby.
Father Whose Infant Twins Died in Hot Car Avoids PrisonFather Whose Infant Twins Died in Hot Car Avoids Prison
Want more news? Check out our full coverage.Want more news? Check out our full coverage.
The Mini Crossword: Here is today’s puzzle.The Mini Crossword: Here is today’s puzzle.
The man who tried but failed to escape Rikers Island twice in four days had hoped to leave “intolerable” conditions meant to combat the coronavirus, a fellow inmate said. [Gothamist]The man who tried but failed to escape Rikers Island twice in four days had hoped to leave “intolerable” conditions meant to combat the coronavirus, a fellow inmate said. [Gothamist]
New York’s takeout cocktail law is expiring soon, worrying restaurants and bars. [Eater New York]New York’s takeout cocktail law is expiring soon, worrying restaurants and bars. [Eater New York]
City schools are donating over 1,000 cases of frozen food to anti-hunger organizations to curb food insecurity and waste. [Chalkbeat New York]City schools are donating over 1,000 cases of frozen food to anti-hunger organizations to curb food insecurity and waste. [Chalkbeat New York]
Updated August 3, 2020 Updated August 4, 2020
Sarah Maslin Nir writes:Sarah Maslin Nir writes:
As a trained disaster responder, Dr. Robin Brennen was well versed in proper safety procedures when she entered a coronavirus patient’s apartment on the Upper West Side in March. She pulled on protective plastic bootees, a face mask and an eye shield.As a trained disaster responder, Dr. Robin Brennen was well versed in proper safety procedures when she entered a coronavirus patient’s apartment on the Upper West Side in March. She pulled on protective plastic bootees, a face mask and an eye shield.
Then, with a gloved hand, she picked up the rest of her equipment: a five-pound bag of cat kibble and a litter box.Then, with a gloved hand, she picked up the rest of her equipment: a five-pound bag of cat kibble and a litter box.
Dr. Brennen, a veterinarian at Animal Care Centers of NYC, is part of a team of specialists who help the pets of those who become seriously ill.Dr. Brennen, a veterinarian at Animal Care Centers of NYC, is part of a team of specialists who help the pets of those who become seriously ill.
Across the city, animal specialists in full-body personal protective gear enter homes to feed, at no charge, famished pets whose owners are hospitalized with the virus, or to take custody of pets belonging to patients who do not return home.Across the city, animal specialists in full-body personal protective gear enter homes to feed, at no charge, famished pets whose owners are hospitalized with the virus, or to take custody of pets belonging to patients who do not return home.
Pet owners who have died of the virus have left behind dogs, guinea pigs and cats, at least one of which starved to death before anyone had checked the owner’s apartment, according to Animal Care Centers of NYC.Pet owners who have died of the virus have left behind dogs, guinea pigs and cats, at least one of which starved to death before anyone had checked the owner’s apartment, according to Animal Care Centers of NYC.
On the Upper West Side that day in March, residents of the co-op building had alerted Dr. Brennen’s organization that a woman who lived there was in intensive care battling the virus. Her two beloved cats had been left behind. Dr. Brennen fed the cats twice a week.On the Upper West Side that day in March, residents of the co-op building had alerted Dr. Brennen’s organization that a woman who lived there was in intensive care battling the virus. Her two beloved cats had been left behind. Dr. Brennen fed the cats twice a week.
“I knew how much she wanted those cats and loved them,” she said. “And I wanted them to be there for her when she got home.”“I knew how much she wanted those cats and loved them,” she said. “And I wanted them to be there for her when she got home.”
Ultimately, the cats’ owner died; a neighbor later adopted them.Ultimately, the cats’ owner died; a neighbor later adopted them.
In late April, New York City’s emergency management and animal welfare offices introduced a hotline for people who were struggling to care for their pets because of the virus.In late April, New York City’s emergency management and animal welfare offices introduced a hotline for people who were struggling to care for their pets because of the virus.
As of June 17, roughly 145 pets had been turned over via the hotline, though the hotline’s main goal is to connect people with free resources to help them keep their animals.As of June 17, roughly 145 pets had been turned over via the hotline, though the hotline’s main goal is to connect people with free resources to help them keep their animals.
Animals surrendered by people who have contracted the virus must be quarantined for 14 days. After that, they can be adopted.Animals surrendered by people who have contracted the virus must be quarantined for 14 days. After that, they can be adopted.
“It is so important, especially at this time, that this human-animal bond is taken care of,” said Christine Kim, the city animal welfare office’s senior community liaison. “This is the time when people need that the most.”“It is so important, especially at this time, that this human-animal bond is taken care of,” said Christine Kim, the city animal welfare office’s senior community liaison. “This is the time when people need that the most.”
It’s Wednesday — check on your neighbors.It’s Wednesday — check on your neighbors.
Dear Diary:Dear Diary:
A young woman steps off the train. As she does, she drops a paperback book.A young woman steps off the train. As she does, she drops a paperback book.
“Miss,” passengers yell. “Miss! Miss!”“Miss,” passengers yell. “Miss! Miss!”
The book tumbles to the floor of the car as the door closes behind her.The book tumbles to the floor of the car as the door closes behind her.
“Oh, well,” one guy says.“Oh, well,” one guy says.
The book lands in front of a woman. She bends down, picks it up, opens it to the bookmarked page and starts reading intently.The book lands in front of a woman. She bends down, picks it up, opens it to the bookmarked page and starts reading intently.
— Drew Watson— Drew Watson
New York Today is published weekdays around 6 a.m. Sign up here to get it by email. You can also find it at nytoday.com.New York Today is published weekdays around 6 a.m. Sign up here to get it by email. You can also find it at nytoday.com.
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