WORLD WORLDWIDE USA New York NY New York City NYC the city THE CITY News Journal Update - THE CITY SCOOP: Key Information Missing From Internal Rikers Report on Recent Death

 

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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!  Content warning: suicide.   Dear New Yorkers, After Curtis Davis died in his cell inside a Rikers Island housing unit on July 23, internal Department of Correction records stated that he had been found unconscious on the floor shortly after 5 a.m.  Correction officials initially said they suspected his death was due to a drug overdose or heart attack, according to multiple jail insiders. But since then the city’s medical examiner, who conducted an autopsy, has reached a different conclusion. The cause of the death was ruled a suicide by hanging, DOC spokesperson Julie Bolcer told THE CITY.  The DOC officer who first saw Davis, 44, never mentioned evidence of a hanging in the internal report — as officers are required to do if they cut someone down. Read more here.    If you or someone you know needs help, dial 988 or call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can also get support via text by visiting suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat. Outside of the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention for a database of resources. In other news: Lifeguards Promoted After Shark Attack Rescue New York City lifeguards who helped rescue a woman after she was bitten by a shark off of Rockaway Beach have been promoted. Lifeguards William McDonnell and Nora Schreiber were promoted to the rank of lieutenant after helping Tatyana Koltunyuk after she was attacked by the predator while swimming about 50 feet from the shore at Beach 59th Street last month. They, along with other lifeguards, applied a tourniquet made out of sweatpants and rope near where the shark bit her on her left leg, which helped save her life, officials said. It is the first known shark attack on the beach in more than 70 years. Kurt Alexander, who was a lieutenant at the scene, was also promoted to the rank of chief. Their promotions come weeks after THE CITY reported on a gap in lifeguard leadership positions along Rockaway Beach, the city’s most dangerous. — Katie Honan Some other items of note: Tenants at 4761 White Plains Rd. in The Bronx have had their furniture, mattresses, clothing, shoes and even an electric wheelchair damaged by flooding that rises up from backed-up sewer drains and comes through ceilings and floors. Those who live in the basement apartments allege their landlord has failed to prevent floods or provide reimbursements for damaged property — and many of the tenants in the 40-unit building spent time in the shelter system before the Department of Social Services helped them find an apartment with City FHEPs housing vouchers, they say. Weather scoop by New York Metro Weather Wednesday's Weather Rating: 9/10. Another great day with high temps near 80° F, manageable dew points and a light breeze. The only difference today will be slightly more humidity and clouds — including a chance of showers later this evening. Still, the vibes are very good! 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: After advocates and community groups have reported an uptick in “exotic” animal sales — like a wallaby who was seized in Coney Island —  a Long Island shelter is building a marsupial enclosure, reports Gothamist. “We think there's going to be an influx of wallabies coming down the road,” the shelter director told the news website. Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Wednesday. Love, THE CITY P.S. Love THE CITY? Our nonprofit newsroom runs on support from readers like you. Donate here.

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