WORLD WORLDWIDE USA New York NY New York City the city THE CITY News Journal Update - THE CITY’s impact in 2023

 

Dear New Yorkers,

The city that THE CITY covers never stops, and rarely do we who work here. But the end of the year is a good moment to pause and recognize those times when our coverage also had a direct impact — spurring official investigations, prodding lawmakers to action and much more.

Here’s just some of the change THE CITY helped make happen in 2023:

Top Cop Exposed: In a rare action against a high-ranking police official, the Civilian Complaint Review Board found the NYPD’s top uniformed officer, Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey, abused his authority when he intervened in the release of a retired cop who’d been arrested after allegedly menacing three boys with a gun. THE CITY was the first to document these events, in a video investigation that used footage from three dozen body and surveillance cameras to show the incident. NYPD disciplinary action against Maddrey is still pending.

Adams Aide Under Probe: Following an in-depth report in THE CITY about Winnie Greco, the mayor’s director of Asian affairs and a key campaign fundraiser for Mayor Eric Adams, the Department of Investigation has opened an inquiry into a claim by a former city employee and Adams campaign staffer interviewed for THE CITY’s article that she made him work for free on her home kitchen renovation while he was supposed to be doing his city job.

Released From Rikers: Kareem Mayo was more than ready to enjoy freedom after a judge tossed his 23-year-old murder conviction in January. But he was still stuck on Rikers Island a week later, awaiting an ankle bracelet he would be required to wear while Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez weighed further action. Not long after THE CITY published an article on his plight, Mayo was freed after more than two decades. “The only reason Mr. Mayo was released after ‘only’ a week in Rikers was the intervention of a judge, her law clerk, a state senator and a story in THE CITY,” said Mayo’s attorney. Gonzalez dropped the charges in June.

Homing In: Tenants are waiting for Mayor Eric Adams to act on a bill overwhelmingly approved by the City Council this month that requires city action on vacant apartments — what sponsors call a first step toward documenting the extent of “warehousing” by landlords. Supporters said THE CITY’s groundbreaking reporting tallying at least 60,000 homes empty in the pandemic’s wake helped spur action.

Meet More Mayors: In 2021, THE CITY’s innovative Meet Your Mayor project let New York City voters match with their ideal mayoral candidates by answering quiz questions about preferred positions and policies. It was so useful (and admit it, fun) that nonprofit newsrooms in cities outside of New York decided they wanted to adapt Meet Your Mayor for their own local elections. In Los Angeles, LAist and KPCC created their own version for the 2022 contest. And this year, Billy Penn and WHYY produced a Philadelphia edition. Who’s next?

No-Rest Stops: In February, THE CITY reported that a city agency had ordered youth “drop-in centers” where homeless young people were accustomed to crashing to sleep to wake their guests up and to remove cots from their premises. Later coverage in the New York Times revealed that only after THE CITY’s article did city officials agree to meet with youth advocates — but not retreat from the restriction.

No Good Deeds: After THE CITY highlighted suspicious signatures on deeds used to transfer Queens homes’ ownership to real estate speculators, a judge vacated the sale of one property and that borough’s public administrator ordered depositions of the brothers. Meanwhile, people involved in some of the transactions have been contacted by the FBI and New York State attorney general.

Gear in the Trash: During the pandemic scramble to obtain protective gear for medical personnel and patients, a Queens state-run home for disabled and elderly veterans let nearly 1,000 cardboard boxes of masks, gowns and other needed equipment sit in piles outdoors for months, protected from the elements only by tarps. THE CITY published an article in June 2021 exposing the waste, and State Inspector General Lucy Lang responded with a probe. Her resulting investigative report, issued in November 2023, found that as much as $1.6 million in gear was so badly mildewed or rotted that it had to be discarded.

We could go on! But the clock is ticking on 2023 so, in the spirit of being first to report the stories that make a difference in the lives of New Yorkers, we’ll save the rest for 2024 and beyond.

Happy New Year!

Alyssa Katz

Executive Editor

Weather scoop by New York Metro Weather Friday's Weather Rating: 5/10. Showers, clouds and morning fog will briefly clear out this afternoon. High temperatures will reach the mid 50s — abnormally warm for this time of year. Any sunshine and a break from dreary skies is a welcomed addition, though. The vibes are all right!

Our Other Top Story

Join the FAQ NYC podcast for the second episode of its year-end series of stories about a "New York minute,” from a salon hosted by Alex Brook Lynn and Harry Siegel.

Heads up: Scoop will be taking a break on New Year’s Day. We’ll be back with more news next Tuesday, Jan. 2.

Things To Do

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

Friday, Dec. 29: Winter Recess Family Activities, with daily, winter-inspired programs to keep kids entertained during the holiday break. Free with museum admission through Dec. 30, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Museum of the City of New York. Sunday, Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve Fireworks with live music by Quintessential Playlist. Free from 10 p.m. at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn. Monday, Jan 1: The Coney Island New Year’s Day Polar Plunge, in which New Yorkers run into the wintery ocean to fundraise for local community groups. Free from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Coney Island Beach, Stillwell Ave.

THE KICKER: The Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball has a new bow-tie design this year.

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

Love,

THE CITY

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