WORLD WORLDWIDE USA New York NY New York City NYC the city THE CITY News Journal Update - Midwood enraged by post office relocation, “Invisible Mask” makers settle for $150K, push to stop cops from grilling minors without lawyers

 

Dear New Yorkers,

A decades-old post office in Brooklyn is set to close in the coming months — and reopen at a new location more than a mile away.

The plan to move the branch that’s been on Coney Island Avenue off of Avenue J since at least the 1940’s, enraged Midwood residents, who have implored the United States Postal Service to reconsider the relocation.

“This plan is in fact closer to an actual closure, than a relocation,” wrote four leaders of community boards 14 and 15 in a joint letter shared with THE CITY. “When a post office serving over 100,000 community members closes and USPS directs the individuals who they are supposed to serve to a station outside of the zip code or to an already overburdened substation also in a different zip code, it cannot be dressed up as a ‘relocation’.”

The service is eyeing a location that would be two train stops or a 30-minute walk south at the intersection of Coney Island Avenue and Kings Highway.

Concerned residents have a 45-day window to weigh in on the proposed relocation, but it’s not clear from the USPS flier when exactly that window expires.

All public comments have to be mailed to P.O Box in North Carolina and there’s no way to voice worries online, via email, or the phone, according to area Councilmember Kalman Yeger.

“It's a joke,” Yeger said.

“Maybe in North Carolina decisions are made based on how quickly one can drive a half a mile by car,” he added. “That's just not the way that people go [in Brooklyn]. This is a walking destination.”

Read more about what’s behind the Midwood post office move here.

Weather scoop by New York Metro Weather Wednesday's Weather Rating: 5/10. Sunshine returns to greet us for another day. High temperatures only reach the lower 40s thanks to the return of a consistent northwest breeze. It's not terrible out there, but grab that winter jacket. The vibes are all right!

Our Other Top Stories

The makers of the “Invisible Mask” — a bogus COVID-19 prevention device that New York City Sheriff Anthony Miranda touted weeks before Mayor Eric Adams brought him into the administration — have agreed to a $150,000 settlement. It follows a Federal Trade Commission complaint that charged them with making “deceptive claims.” Advocates are pushing for new state legislation that would bar police officers from interviewing minors without a lawyer present in the room, in an effort to prevent future false confessions. While police are required to read children their “Miranda Rights” juvenile justice advocates say most minors don’t understand when they are waiving constitutional rights.

Reporter’s Notebook

Redistricting Déjà Vu

It’s back to the drawing board for our congressional maps, with potentially huge implications for the balance of Congress. The state’s highest court, the Court of Appeals, has ordered New York to redraw its political districts in the House. Those are the same maps, you may recall, that were drawn by a “special master” in 2022 … after the same court threw out legislature-drawn maps. Those maps had been created after a bipartisan commission (charged by a new state constitutional amendment to do the map-drawing) deadlocked and couldn’t finish the job.

The 2022 maps helped Republicans nab four seats, including in Staten Island and Brooklyn. Analysis last year by THE CITY showed how Democrat Max Rose would have won in district lines thrown out by the court.

Yesterday, the same Court of Appeals — now with a liberal majority — effectively said: Do it again. The redistricting commission has until Feb. 28, 2024, to create new maps. If they fail, the task will go again to the Democratic-controlled state legislature.

— Rachel Holliday Smith

Things To Do

Here’s what’s going on around the city this week.

Thursday, Dec. 14: Cocktails & Culture at the Museum of the City of New York, an evening event for adults with music from DJ tres dos and food by La Fonda NYC. Free with museum admission at 6 p.m.  Friday, Dec. 15: “A Lot of People,” an interactive exhibition of work by the Thai artist Rirkrit Tiravanija, including “untitled 1992-1995 (free/still)” a participatory play on Fridays and Saturdays that involves serving two versions of green curry. Free from 12:30 p.m. at MoMA PS1 in Queens. Saturday, Dec. 16-Sunday, Dec. 17: The Social Justice Holiday Market, featuring politically conscious gifts from lots of vendors. From 12 to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 3 to 7 p.m. on Sunday at Mayday Space in Brooklyn.

THE KICKER: Today and tomorrow, New Yorkers will be able to catch glimpses of the Geminid meteor shower — even with the heavy light pollution from the city. One meteorologist predicts the best time for viewing will be tonight from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Wednesday.

Love,

THE CITY

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