WORLD WORLDWIDE USA New York NY New York City NYC the city THE CITY News Journal Update - THE CITY SCOOP: NYPD Deputy Commissioner Who Criticized Surge In Vehicle Pursuits Ousted

 

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If you know anyone who might like this newsletter, send it to them. If this was sent to you by someone else, subscribe here — it's free!  Dear New Yorkers, A top chief in charge of the NYPD’s risk management bureau — who expressed concern about the department’s massive surge in vehicle pursuits lately — was ousted last week by the newly appointed police commissioner, according to multiple sources. Deputy Commissioner of Risk Management Matthew Pontillo was forced to resign last week, a move that happened in the wake of his expressed concerns about a surge in police vehicle pursuits, as well as about the department’s new quality-of-life units. The number of vehicle pursuits by the NYPD skyrocketed by nearly 600% in the first three months of this year, as THE CITY previously reported. THE CITY published the first of several articles documenting the increase in NYPD vehicle pursuits on July 5. Pontillo was critical of the aggressive practice, recently going so far as to flag 20 officers involved in such pursuits for additional training or supervision. Those actions put him at odds with other high-ranking officers, according to current and former NYPD officials. Pontillo was shown the door Aug. 14 by NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban.  While departures of top executives under a new commissioner are standard, the sources allege that some of the ousters — including of Pontillo — targeted officials who were diligently working to keep the NYPD in check. “Basically, [department leaders] knew [Pontillo] wasn’t going to sweep things under the rug or turn a blind eye,” said a former high-ranking NYPD official.  Read more here.  Some other items of note: The state and the federal government have reached a tentative agreement to house migrants at Brooklyn’s Floyd Bennett Field after months of negotiations, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced yesterday. More than 2,000 people potentially could be housed at the site — which is part of a national park — as New York City continues to struggle with an influx of migrant arrivals. It’s unclear when it could open. But local officials say it is an inaccessible place to house people, and are against the new facility. Twenty-nine groups mostly based in The Bronx sent city and state officials a letter over the weekend rejecting a cricket stadium proposed in Van Cortlandt Park. First revealed publicly by THE CITY in July, the mayor’s administration has proposed building a 34,000-seat “temporary” stadium on the Van Cortlandt Park Parade Grounds, near the Enslaved African Burial Ground, to host the International Cricket Council T-20 World Cup in June 2024. If the ICC selects New York City as a host, the project would have an ambitious turnaround time, with construction to begin in January 2024. Weather scoop by New York Metro Weather Tuesday's Weather Rating: 10/10. WE ARE BACK. High temperatures in the lower 80s, lots of sunshine, comfortable dew points and a gorgeous breeze. That's all there is to it. The vibes are immaculate out there today! Things To Do Here’s what’s going on around the city this week. Wednesday, Aug. 23: The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival returns for its 31st year with events and performances through the weekend. Various locations. Free. Thursday, Aug. 24: Closing night of the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! series, with performances by The Head and The Heart and Izzy Heltai. Lena Horne Bandshell, Prospect Park. Doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m. Free. RSVP here. Saturday, Aug. 26: Beach Sessions Dance Series, a modern dance event that includes Merce Cunningham’s 1991 dance “Beach Birds,” performed on the sand at Beach 108th Street, Rockaway. 5:45 p.m. Free.   THE KICKER: How much shade is on your street? There’s a map that will tell you. Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Tuesday. Love, THE CITY P.S. Love THE CITY? Our nonprofit newsroom runs on support from readers like you. Donate here.

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