| | | | |  | | By Erin Durkin, Anna Gronewold and Deanna Garcia | A massive manhunt came to an end when the NYPD arrested suspect Frank James in the subway shooting in Brooklyn, with help from some eagle-eyed New Yorkers. "We got him," said Mayor Eric Adams, remote from Gracie Mansion where he remains under quarantine for Covid-19. The alleged shooter was hit with a federal terrorism charge, which could carry life in prison. Authorities revealed that he bought his gun legally more than a decade ago in Ohio, despite a non-felony criminal record. With the suspect in custody, questions are swirling about how to prevent the next tragedy – and Adams is embracing the idea of installing gun detection technology in the city subway system. He was quick to clarify he's not calling for traditional metal detectors, which would be pretty impossible in a city with 472 subway stations and millions of rushed commuters, but would like to pilot scanners along the lines of a weapon detection system recently installed at a public medical center in the Bronx. (Reminder: The mayor doesn't run the subway, but he said he'll talk to MTA brass about it. MTA boss Janno Lieber was a bit less enthusiastic but did not rule out new security technology.) "We have identified several new technologies that are not like metal detectors that are used at airports, where you have to empty your pockets and go through a long line to get in," Adams said on WNYC. "You just walk normally through the system. It is not even detectable that the devices are there. And we think there is some great promise in this technology." The units, he later added, would be mobile and moved among highly-trafficked stations and those in areas with high gun violence. Critics, however, are deeply skeptical of the technology – and the idea of imposing additional screening on a subway system where New Yorkers have long been free to come and go hauling everything from their new couch to peacocks to small trees. "We're going to see this turn into a pretext for stopping any transit rider that police want to," said Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project. "We can't flood a country with millions of guns and then think that the technology can keep us safe," he added. "Everything else is a distraction." IT'S THURSDAY. Got tips, suggestions or thoughts? Let us know ... By email: EDurkin@politico.com and agronewold@politico.com, or on Twitter: @erinmdurkin and @annagronewold WHERE'S KATHY? Participates in Passover food distribution and delivers remarks at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center Awards Dinner. WHERE'S ERIC? No public schedule available.
| | | | DON'T MISS ANYTHING FROM THE 2022 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO is excited to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage and insights from the 25th annual Global Conference. This year's event, May 1-4, brings together more than 3,000 of the world's most influential leaders, including 700+ speakers representing more than 80 countries. "Celebrating the Power of Connection" is this year's theme, setting the stage to connect influencers with the resources to change the world with leading experts and thinkers whose insight and creativity can implement that change. Whether you're attending in person or following along from somewhere else in the world, keep up with this year's conference with POLITICO's special edition "Global Insider" so you don't miss a beat. Subscribe today. | | | | | |  | What City Hall's reading | | "Suspect Drifted From City to City as His Videos Hinted at Violence," by The New York Times' Jonah E. Bromwich, Ashley Southall, Ali Watkins and Kirsten Noyes: "Buried in a sea of disturbing videos that Frank R. James posted on YouTube in recent weeks was a plan. In between bigoted screeds tied to current events, he described an itinerary that would take him on a trip from Milwaukee in late March to the East Coast, where he was born. In more than one video, he recorded himself behind the wheel of a rented van, apparently making that journey back to what he called 'the danger zone.' And the day before the attack in which the police say he opened fire on a subway car, shooting 10 people and injuring at least 13 more, Mr. James posted a video in which he said he had often wanted to kill and to 'watch people die' right in front of him." "Commuters return to Sunset Park station a day after mass shooting," by Gothamist's Stephen Nessen: "Trains and commuters returned to the 36th Street subway station in Brooklyn's Sunset Park early Wednesday, a day after a shooting on a Manhattan-bound train injured at least 23 people. Media vans and cameras filled surrounding blocks outside while riders entered the quiet station during the pre-dawn hours, telling Gothamist they were anxious but undeterred as they returned to their commutes. 'You can't let one person alter your life, gotta keep on — keep on going,' said Michael Torres, a FedEx worker, as he boarded an R train. Police milled about the station's mezzanine but only one cop was on the platform as rush hour got underway Wednesday. Evelyn Bermejo, 20, works as a cashier in Lower Manhattan and said she wished she could take a taxi, but can't afford it. 'I was scared this morning, I'm scared now being at 36th Street,' Bermejo said." "Broken surveillance cameras hampered hunt for Brooklyn subway shooter," by New York Post's Craig McCarthy, David Meyer and Gabrielle Fonrouge: "NYPD investigators were left scrambling to track down the madman behind the Brooklyn subway attack after surveillance cameras at both stations impacted by the incident malfunctioned, The Post has learned. For more than 24 hours, Frank James, the prime suspect in Tuesday's bloody attack that left 29 wounded, was in the wind, and police sources say the malfunctioning cameras prevented them from getting an early lead on his whereabouts, and a solid description. "If it wasn't for those social media posts, we wouldn't have known what had happened there for maybe even days," a police source griped, referring to videos of the attack posted online. "It was a s–t show," the source continued. "It has to be this f—ing one that was down and it was the one that we needed." 'I thought Black lives mattered?' Mayor Eric Adams slams the activist movement over New York City crime, by POLITICO's Joe Anuta: When asked how his administration would get a handle on an uptick in shootings, Mayor Eric Adams criticized the Black Lives Matter movement Wednesday for failing to mount large-scale protests against ongoing gun violence. "If Black lives matter, then the thousands of people I saw on the street when [George] Floyd was murdered should be on the streets right now stating that the lives of these Black children that are dying every night matter," Adams said. "We can't be hypocrites." Adams was speaking on NY1 about the arrest of Frank James, who is accused of carrying out the shooting on a Brooklyn subway car Tuesday, when he was asked about more than a dozen other incidents of gun violence that happened in other parts of the city Tuesday night through Wednesday morning and what he would do to get a handle on crime. "NYPD watchdog wants discipline for cops who drove van into George Floyd protesters," by New York Daily News' Noah Goldberg: "Two NYPD officers who drove their police SUVs into a crowd of protesters during a demonstration following George Floyd's death should be punished for their actions, the department's watchdog has ruled. The Civilian Complaint Review Board recommended the police commissioner bring disciplinary charges against officers Daniel Alvarez and Andrey Samusev over the caught-on-video May 30, 2020 incident in which cops accelerated their SUVs into a group of people who had surrounded them. 'I think it's a travesty that they're talking about 'Should we take away their vacation days.' They should be rotting in prison," said Aaron Ross, a protester who was rammed by one of the vehicles."
| | WHAT ALBANY'S READING | | Hochul considering 'a lot of people' to replace LG; says she was unaware of his troubles, by POLITICO's Bill Mahoney: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Wednesday she is planning to choose a replacement for former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, but said there is still a lot to figure out as she considers who that might be and whether there's any path to finding a different running mate to put on the ballot this year. "We're going to go through a process right now," Hochul said in an interview on WNYC, her first detailed comments on Benjamin's arrest on an alleged bribery scheme on Tuesday and resignation several hours later. "It was a surprise, it truly was. But it was clear to both of us that he could not continue to serve as lieutenant governor and I want New Yorkers to have complete confidence in their government." Hochul gave every indication that she would choose a replacement for Benjamin, which she has the power to do unilaterally. But she stressed that the search for a new lieutenant is still "very early in the process." — "Gov. Hochul's chief of staff pays price for disastrous vetting of Brian Benjamin: sources ," by New York Post's Bernadette Hogan, Carl Campanile and Bruce Golding: "Gov. Kathy Hochul's longtime chief of staff played a key role in her disastrous decision to name Brian Benjamin as her lieutenant governor and apparently missed major red flags, The Post has learned. Jeff Lewis was in charge of vetting Benjamin, then a state senator from Harlem, before Hochul made him her No. 2 last year, sources said Wednesday. But the review was 'rushed,' one source said, with Lewis failing to uncover the alleged lies that he included in some official forms he filled out — lies that were detailed in a federal bribery indictment unsealed Tuesday. 'Seeing the news yesterday, I was really disheartened because this came to our attention,' one source said." "NY Dems left with challenge: How to get Brian Benjamin off the ballot," by WNYC's Jon Campbell: "Brian Benjamin is officially out as New York's lieutenant governor, following his arrest and abrupt resignation, but it will take some legal maneuvering to get him off the Democratic primary ballot – if it can even be done. Democratic officials are scrambling to brainstorm ways to boot Benjamin from the primary after he surrendered to federal authorities on five felony charges Tuesday, just two months after becoming the party's official designee – which came with an automatic spot on the ballot." — " Ana Maria Archila picks up endorsements in New York lieutenant governor bid," by Spectrum's Nick Reisman: "Ana Maria Archila, a progressive activist running for lieutenant governor of New York, picked up her first legislative endorsements on Wednesday in her bid for the Democratic nomination, her campaign announced. Archila was endorsed by state Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas and Assemblymember Harvey Epstein, Democrats who represent Queens and Manhattan respectively." " New York's Surging Covid Cases Driven by New Omicron Subvariants," by Bloomberg's Madison Muller : "Two new omicron subvariants that appear even more transmissible than the highly-contagious BA.2 are driving an uptick in Covid cases in New York, the state's health department said Wednesday. While there's no evidence that either causes more severe disease, the department estimates they have a 23% to 27% growth advantage over the BA.2 variant that was itself more infectious than the original omicron. It's the first reported instance of significant community spread due to the two subvariants in the U.S. 'We are alerting the public to two omicron subvariants, newly emerged and rapidly spreading in upstate New York, so New Yorkers can act swiftly,' State Health Commissioner Mary Bassett said in a statement. 'While these subvariants are new, the tools to combat them are not.'" New York attorney general probes oil giants for signs of price gouging amid Ukraine war, by POLITICO's Danielle Muoio Dunn: Attorney General Tish James is launching an investigation into whether oil companies are taking advantage of inflation and the Russian invasion in Ukraine to jack up prices. With midterms coming up, Democrats have gone on the offensive in recent weeks to address voters' concerns about rising gas prices. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who is facing a June primary, made reducing the gas tax a core part of her first state budget, despite opposition over the impact on funding mass transit. Now James is weighing whether legal action is an option. "Soaring gas prices are forcing working New Yorkers and low-income families to make difficult decisions on whether to pay bills or put food on the table," James said Wednesday in a statement to POLITICO. "New York Increases Funding of Mental Health Care for Kids, Including Cash Governor Says Will Reopen Hospital Beds," by The City's Abigail Kramer: "Mental health programs for children and adolescents will get a major infusion of funds in New York state's new $220 billion budget, which passed Saturday after contentious negotiations over criminal justice issues. Legislators approved significant reimbursement rate increases for community-based mental health programs, as well as bonuses for frontline workers. The budget also includes $10 million to address staffing and capacity shortages at state-run psychiatric hospitals, though it does not earmark funds to reopen beds that were shut down under a 'Transformation Plan' rolled out by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. A measure proposed by the state Senate that would have committed New York to restore 200 state-run beds died in budget negotiations." #UpstateAmerica: Capital Region's June Farms could be getting a reality TV show. According to restaurateur Matt Baumgartner "an experienced production company that develops shows for cable channels and streaming services has a commitment" from a "major streaming service" for a pilot.
| | | | INTRODUCING DIGITAL FUTURE DAILY - OUR TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER, RE-IMAGINED: Technology is always evolving, and our new tech-obsessed newsletter is too! Digital Future Daily unlocks the most important stories determining the future of technology, from Washington to Silicon Valley and innovation power centers around the world. Readers get an in-depth look at how the next wave of tech will reshape civic and political life, including activism, fundraising, lobbying and legislating. Go inside the minds of the biggest tech players, policymakers and regulators to learn how their decisions affect our lives. Don't miss out, subscribe today. | | | | | | | Biden and the Boroughs | | "CDC extends travel mask requirement to May 3 as COVID rises," by Associated Press' Zeke Miller: "The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it is extending the nationwide mask requirement for public transit for 15 days as it monitors an uptick in COVID-19 cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it was extending the order, which was set to expire on April 18, until May 3 to allow more time to study the BA.2 omicron subvariant that is now responsible for the vast majority of cases in the U.S. 'In order to assess the potential impact the rise of cases has on severe disease, including hospitalizations and deaths, and health care system capacity, the CDC order will remain in place at this time,' the agency said in a statement."
| | AROUND NEW YORK | | — The legislature and Hochul signed off on a tax law change that will enable cannabis entrepreneurs to deduct business expenses related to marijuana sales from their state taxes. — Amazon is cracking down on union organizing at a second Staten Island warehouse after workers at a different warehouse voted to unionize. — The New York Public Library is making a selection of commonly banned books available nationwide on an e-reader. — Queens Assemblyman Brian Barnwell will no longer run for re-election. — The owner of Albany eyesore Central Warehouse is trying to keep the county from seizing it amid his bankruptcy proceedings. — County governments across the state are weighing whether to join the state's gas tax holiday. — 'Dueling police boards? Only in Buffalo ' — The state budget includes a significant increase in operational and capital funding for CUNY. — Despite its expansion, the city's summer youth jobs program still won't include undocumented young people. — The Department of Education is expected to unveil expansion plans for NYC's Gifted and Talented Program.
| | SOCIAL DATA BY DANIEL LIPPMAN | | HAPPY BIRTHDAY: NBC's Garrett Haake … Nick Merrill … Amy Brundage of SKDKnickerbocker … USTR's Adam Hodge … CNN's Adam Levine … NYT's Eileen Sullivan … Kaye Foley of "Last Week Tonight" … Megan Swiatkowski … Elisse B. Walter MEDIAWATCH — City & State has promoted Jeff Coltin to City Hall bureau chief, Rebecca Lewis to senior state politics reporter, Garth McKee to manager of sales operations, Amanda Cortez to event operations manager, and Isabel Beebe to senior associate for digital marketing. WEEKEND WEDDING — Cat Rakowski, booking producer on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," and Ben Hudson, who is a marketing director and brother of WaPo reporter John Hudson, got married in a low-key, family-filled ceremony this weekend in Hudson Valley. We're told Cat's starting the marriage with the advantage as her family bested the Hudsons in the kickball game. Pic … Another pic
| | Real Estate | | "NYC's Long-Understaffed Voucher Discrimination Unit Now Has Zero Employees," by City Limits' David Brand: "And then there were none. After years of employee departures and unfilled vacancies, the city enforcement unit tasked with cracking down on New York's most common form of housing discrimination does not have a single staff member left, City Limits has learned. The last overwhelmed attorney working in the New York City Human Rights Commission's (CCHR) Source of Income (SOI) Unit resigned on April 1 and has not been replaced. The SOI unit fields complaints, intervenes and at times files lawsuits on behalf of would-be renters who say they were denied an apartment because they have a government subsidy, like a federal Section 8 or local CityFHEPS voucher, that helps cover the rent." "Trading Floors Challenge New York Landlords' Environmental Efforts," by Commercial Observer's Rebecca Baird-Remba: "Trading floors have always represented the beating heart of major banks: hundreds of people at a time hunched over their computers, yelling, gossiping, chatting on the phone, and, most importantly, generating revenue for their employers. A typical office floor in New York City might have had 150 or 200 people working in it before the pandemic. A standard trading floor at a major financial institution would have seated 400 to 600 people, each of whom used multiple monitors, a desktop computer and a specialized telephone system called a turret, which can process hundreds of simultaneous calls at once. Many trading floors used to have their own data centers for on-site backup, too, though those have disappeared with the rise of cloud backup services." | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment