WORLD WORLDWIDE USA New York NY New York City NYC the city THE CITY News Journal Update - THE CITY SCOOP: Federal Monitor Chides City Jails Brass for Increased Violence and Lies

 

View this email in your browser 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, As pressure mounts for the city to turn things around at Rikers Island, Department of Correction Commissioner Louis Molina and his staff tried to hide multiple assaults as jail conditions “have only worsened.”  That’s according to the latest report by a judge-appointed watchdog. “The jails remain dangerous and unsafe, characterized by a pervasive, imminent risk of harm to both people in custody and staff,” wrote federal monitor Steve Martin in his 10th report evaluating operations at Rikers Island and other city lockups yesterday. The 64-page report was filed in Manhattan Federal Court hours after a mentally ill detainee, Manish Kunwar, 27, was found dead inside a cell in the Eric M. Taylor Center on Rikers early Thursday morning, the Daily News first reported. Kunwar is the ninth incarcerated person to die in custody so far this year, following 19 fatalities in 2022, the highest rate in decades. In addition, the report noted that the number of stabbings and slashings this year has “significantly increased” in spite of Molina’s proposed reforms.  There were 91 such incidents in August and September, up from 69 over the same period last year, according to the report. And some stabbings and slashings aren’t reported for days — if at all.  Read more here. In other news: Ten Life Sentences for Sunset Park Subway Shooter The 64-year-old gunman who shot 10 people inside a rush-hour subway train last year as it pulled into a Brooklyn station will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars. Federal Court Judge William Kuntz on Thursday sentenced Frank James to life in prison for each victim of the April 12, 2022 shooting at the 36th Street stop in which he sprayed 33 bullets on board an N train — and, incredibly, killed no one. Defense attorneys had been seeking an 18-year prison sentence. James pleaded guilty in January to terrorism and weapons charges for the shooting in which he set off smoke grenades before firing a Glock-17 9 mm handgun and fleeing. His escape into the chaos that followed at the Sunset Park stop set off a manhunt that ended more than 30 hours later in Manhattan’s East Village after he called a police tip line to surrender. — Jose Martinez   Richards Plays Hardball With Soccer Stadium Plan  Queens Borough President Donovan Richards won’t sign off on a new street map that would let the New York City Football Club build a stadium in Willets Point, he announced Wednesday evening — unless City Hall agrees to let vendors return to the Corona Plaza, where they were evicted by Sanitation police this summer.  While borough presidents have mostly advisory powers, city maps are altered by the chief engineer of their topographical bureaus, giving Richards leverage.  “I’m gonna use every tool to make sure that this is a successful plaza,” the borough president, who’d applauded the soccer stadium plan when it was first announced, told THE CITY on Thursday.  — Haidee Chu Some other items of note: Mayor Eric Adams made a brief stop on his way to JFK Airport Wednesday afternoon to a small neighborhood on the border of Queens and Brooklyn known as The Hole. It was his last media appearance in the city before a trip south of the border, as he continued to tamp back criticism over his administration’s response to the rainstorm that had flooded the city a week ago. Adams was at The Hole specifically to tout sewer upgrades the city had made in March. But residents who endured flooding last week were unimpressed.  GrubHub, Uber and DoorDash have secured a second pause on a new minimum wage for New York City food delivery workers — a delay that is costing drivers about $15 million a week, according to lawyers for the workers, who asked a state appeals court to let the minimum wage law roll ahead. Weather scoop by New York Metro Weather Friday's Weather Rating: 4/10. Mostly cloudy and humid throughout the day, with high temperatures in the low 70s. Not a washout, but scattered showers are possible especially as the day goes on. The vibes are damp and dreary once again. Things To Do Here’s what’s going on around the city this week. Friday, Oct. 6: The Amazing Maize Maze, NYC’s only corn maze. Fridays through Sundays (plus Monday, Oct. 9) through Oct. 28. Queens County Farm Museum. Various hours. Tickets: free for kids 3 and under, $14 all other kids, $16 adults.  Saturday, Oct. 7: The Little Red Lighthouse Festival, a celebration of Manhattan’s only remaining lighthouse with readings of an eponymous children’s book, live music, puppets, and more. Fort Washington Park, various tour times available. Free.  Saturday, Oct. 7 and Sunday, Oct. 8: Red Hook Open Studios, 1 to 6 p.m. Free. THE KICKER: After closing temporarily for renovations, the flagship H Mart in Woodside, Queens reopened yesterday. The grocery store was the first-ever H Mart when it opened in 1982.  Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Friday. Love, THE CITY P.S. Love THE CITY? Our nonprofit newsroom runs on support from readers like you. Donate here. THE CITY's work is made possible, in part, through the support of our sponsors. 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