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Dear New Yorkers,

Yesterday, Mayor Eric Adams had his first press conference since federal authorities raided the homes of the commissioner, schools chancellor and other top administration officials last week.

Amid a barrage of questions from reporters, Adams supported his police commissioner, Edward Caban, whose phones were reportedly seized last week as part of a cluster of federal investigations.

“He hasn’t been accused of any wrongdoing. His role is to make sure the NYPD is safe, to make sure the city and New Yorkers are safe,” the mayor said of Caban — while declaring as “false” reports that the commissioner was on the verge of resigning.

Adams, who said he tested positive for COVID on Monday, held his weekly media briefing virtually.

“Serving you is an honor, but it’s also a responsibility, and I want to assure you that I feel the awesome weight of that responsibility with my whole heart, and I will never do anything to betray your trust,” he said from Gracie Mansion.

Read more here about the tough questions Adams got — and mostly deflected.

Our Other Top Stories

Randy Mastro, Mayor Eric Adams’ controversial nominee to be New York City’s next top lawyer, yesterday asked Adams to withdraw his nomination, just days before the City Council was expected to vote it down. Mastro said in a letter to Adams that it was “not to be.” The Council, which has the responsibility to approve the position, had grilled Mastro for more than eight hours during an Aug. 27 hearing — with many members blasting his time working as a deputy mayor under former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and his representation of clients that included landlords and groups suing to halt congestion pricing. “Speaker [Adrienne] Adams has now made clear, by the way she permitted the Council to conduct its hearing on my nomination, that she intends to deny you the nominee of your choice,” Mastro wrote. You’re a tenant and the end of your lease is approaching. Many months or even years ago, you probably paid a security deposit. As you’re preparing to move out, how do you make sure you get it back? Here’s THE CITY’s guide to tenants’ rights and responsibilities when trying to get back a security deposit.

Reporter’s Notebook

NYC Ferry Unlikely to Expand, Officials Say

The hoped-for expansion of NYC Ferry service to new landings got doused with cold water Tuesday by officials who said growing the system would present financial and safety challenges.

James Wong, an executive vice president with the city’s Economic Development Corp., said during a City Council oversight hearing that calls from Council members for EDC to conduct feasibility studies for potential new stops in the Rockaways, Coney Island and Willets Point face significant hurdles — especially as NYC Ferry tries to right the ship financially and keep increasing ridership.

“While we do not currently have plans for expansion, we greatly appreciate the enthusiasm and interest in the system,” said Wong, who is also executive director of NYC Ferry.

Ferry officials touted record ridership of more than 7 million this fiscal year, as well as a drop in the per-rider subsidy to $8.55 — down 30% from its peak. The hearing came a day after the cost of a single trip increased from $4 to $4.50.

Launched in 2017, NYC Ferry currently operates along six routes that touch all five boroughs.

Council members want the city to explore new routes that would link Willets Point in Queens with Manhattan, expand to Coney Island and add additional stops on the 11-mile-long Rockaway peninsula, where service currently runs to a single landing at Beach Channel Drive and Beach 108th Street.

Wong pointed out obstacles to expanding Rockaways service include the A-train bridge in Broad Channel, along with water depths and high winds on the ocean side of the peninsula. In late 2021, a proposal to bring service to Coney Island stalled, with the city citing navigational and safety concerns.

— Jose Martinez

Things To Do

Today is September 11, a day of mourning and memory for New Yorkers. These are just some of the events bringing us together to remember those we lost. Find more across the boroughs here.

At a memorial commemoration at the World Trade Center, family members will read the names of all 2,977 people who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The event will be viewable online starting at 8:40 a.m. Starting at 8:10 a.m., more than 150 dancers will participate in Table of Silence Project 9/11, a “performance ritual and call to action for peace,” at Lincoln Center Josie Robertson Plaza and also viewable online.  Also in Midtown, FDNY Engine 54/Ladder 4/Battalion 9 — which lost all of its 15 members in the 9/11 attacks, making it the hardest-hit firehouse in the city on that day — will hold its annual memorial service at a nearby park on Eighth Avenue and 48th Street, beginning at 8:30 a.m, according to NY1.  The annual Tribute in Light display will be illuminated from dusk until dawn near the World Trade Center, visible throughout the region. Green-wood Cemetery in Brooklyn will host a special viewing event called Notes of Tribute, with music and remarks. Free (donations welcome) from 7 to 9 p.m. at Green-wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.

THE KICKER: Fran Lebowitz (still) isn’t expected at this year’s FranCon, reports Gothamist.

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

Love,

THE CITY

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