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Dear New Yorkers,

Almost two years ago, in the wake of a deadly Chinatown fire, Mayor Eric Adams promised New Yorkers that he would speed up investigations into dangerous lithium-ion battery charging. He urged concerned citizens to use the 311 system to report “questionable activity” — promising that the FDNY would be notified and required to respond to the complaint within 12 hours.

Since that June 23 announcement, the FDNY says it has received and responded to more than a thousand such calls — despite the fact that it is impossible to file a complaint using the 311 website or app. And reporting by phone isn’t always more effective: some callers who tried to raise the alarm about evidence of dangerous battery charging told THE CITY they faced dead ends and frustration.

Last February, the 311 system received two alerts about bikes chained to a fence outside a Harlem apartment building, records show. The caller said that the bikes could impede FDNY in the event of a fire.

But the 311 system treated the complaints as minor matters. One came in via the 311 website, selecting the menu item for a bike rack request that was then automatically channeled to the city Department of Transportation. The second came in as a phone call, and was steered to the NYPD.

The DOT didn’t respond, and the cops sent to check it out determined that since the “bikes were attached to private property,” there was no reason to intervene. They closed the case in less than an hour.

Fifteen days later, an explosive fire broke out in the building, killing journalist Fazil Khan.

Read more here about what happens when callers try to report potentially dangerous lithium-ion battery charging to 311.

Weather ☀️

More of the same — cold, sunny and windy.

MTA 🚇

The Manhattan-bound F train will skip Avenue P, Avenue N, Bay Parkway and Avenue I through Friday, from 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Find all the MTA’s planned changes and the latest delays here.

Alternate side parking 🚙

It’s in effect today, Jan. 9.

By the way…

COVID deaths have been trending down, and are at some of their lowest rates thanks to increased immunity. But there are still many New Yorkers affected by previous infections: if you think you might have long COVID, here’s what to know about how to get treatment in New York.

Our Other Top Stories

Mayor Eric Adams will present his fourth State of the City speech Thursday at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, attempting to highlight his administration’s wins even as he faces a federal corruption trial. He’s expected to focus on public safety and housing affordability, as he has in the past. The mayor, who faces a crowded primary election in June — but has not done much official campaigning —  urged New Yorkers raising families to “tune in” to the midday event. More on the Board of Elections director who sexually harassed his employees: The government watchdog organization that investigated the director recommended that he resign or be terminated. But the BOE rejected that recommendation, and the director, Michael Ryan, was merely suspended for two weeks without pay. Ryan now remains in his job after getting a break from the board — whose chair was once officially responsible for tackling gender discrimination at CUNY.

Reporter’s Notebook

Prosecutors Hint at More Charges for Adams

With Primary Day just six months away and a criminal trial looming in the spring, what lies ahead for Mayor Eric Adams and his quest for exoneration and re-election? We have a hint from court filings this week.

Days after his Sept. 29 indictment on bribery and campaign finance fraud charges, prosecutors told a judge more charges were possible for the mayor — and on Monday, they said in court papers that law enforcement has identified more alleged co-conspirators and "additional criminal conduct by Adams."

Whether Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Edward Kim adds charges to the initial indictment before Adams' trial is set to begin on April 21 remains to be seen.

— Greg B. Smith

Manhattan Rents Spike

Rents for market-rate apartments in Manhattan jumped 7% last year, almost twice the rate of inflation and far more than incomes increased. But the cost of market-rate apartments in Brooklyn went up less than 1% as the number of new units in that borough tripled the increase in Manhattan.

The median rent for a new lease in Manhattan reached $4,334 a month, according to data released Thursday by the monthly Elliman Report. The median rent for Brooklyn hit $3,495.

Rents are rising because renters who would like to buy apartments or homes remain in their apartments while waiting for interest rates to drop, said Jonathan Miller, author of the report.

— Greg David

Things To Do

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

Today, Jan. 9: Go to a Salsa Party at the Brooklyn Museum! Start with a class and then dance the night away. 6 p.m.  Friday, Jan. 10: Prove your stick-to-it-iveness by going on a 5k run for Quitter’s Day — then toast your admirable perseverance with free “bites and drinks” at the bar afterwards. Ray’s Hometown Bar in Brooklyn, 4:30 p.m.  Saturday, Jan. 11: Watch a free showing of Grease, presented by the NYPL at their largest circulating branch. Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library, 2 p.m.

THE KICKER: Today, the U.S. observes a national day of mourning for former President Jimmy Carter. Most businesses will be operating as usual, but there will be some closures, including USPS and federal agencies.

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

Love,

THE CITY

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