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The Briefly for June 25, 2020 – The "Beaches Will Open on July 1" Edition
Today - Low: 73˚ High: 84˚
Partly cloudy throughout the day.
It took the threat of the City Council forcing his hand, but Mayor de Blasio announced the city's beaches will fully open on July 1. (Shaye Weaver for Time Out) Anyone traveling to New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut from states with Covid-19 outbreaks must undergo a 14-day isolation period under threat of fines that range from $2,000 to $10,000. It was announced at noon on Wednesday and went into effect at midnight. (Kathleen Culliton for Patch) The New York Marathon was canceled for 2020 and hopes to return in 2021. (Joe Patorno for amNewYork Metro) The best and worst of NYC takeout and delivery. (Robert Sietsema for Eater) 10 hiking trails in the city to try this summer. (Nicholas Loud for Untapped New York) A spokesperson for New York City’s largest charter network resigned in protest, stating she can no longer defend Success Academy’s “racist and abusive practices” that are “detrimental to the emotional well being” of its students. (Alex Zimmerman for ChalkBeat) New York is one of three states that is "close" to containing the coronavirus, according to the group Covid Act Now. New Jersey and Massachusetts are the other two. (Adam Nichols for Patch) The MTA is exploring the idea of using artificial intelligence to track how many subway riders are wearing face masks. (Elizabeth Kim for Gothamist) The MTA, being the MTA, is stopped all planned upgrades to subways and installing new elevators because of its financial situation. Nothing says "planning for the future" like "no updates to an already crumbling system." Some of these repairs include bringing subway stations into compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, structural repairs to the 7 line, which was falling apart in Queens before the pandemic, and updating the signals on the A/C/E lines. (Jose Martinez for The City) Say hello to the idea of the Queens Ribbon, a proposed new bridge that would like Long Island City, Roosevelt Island, and Midtown Manhattan for pedestrians and cyclists. (Winnie Hu for NY Times) Major League Baseball agreed with the players union and "spring" training starts on July 1 for a 60 game season that will start on July 23 or 24. (Joe Pantorno for amNewYork Metro) The Stonewall Inn is facing an "uncertain future" and started up a second GoFundMe to raise $100,000. Their first GoFundMe is for the staff. (Michelle Young for Untapped New York) Farewell to the Times Square McDonalds after 17 years. (Erin Hudson for The Real Deal) The Times throws some cold water on the fireworks conspiracies. Phantom Fireworks, one of the largest warehouses in PA is running a buy-one-get-two-free sale. (Mihir Zaveri, Allie Conti and Sandra E. Garcia for NY Times) The percentages of Black members of the NYPD have grown among captains or above and lieutenants, but the percentage of Black officers has fallen since 2008 among sergeants, detectives, and patrol officers. (Greg B. Smith for The City) A look at NYPD's use of helicopters for intimidation and surveillance during George Floyd protests, occasionally flying only 100 over sea level. Each helicopter is equipped with infrared cameras and a laptop that can zoom in on individual faces. The FAA recommends helicopters fly at an altitude of 1,0000 at the lowest. (Stephen Nessen for Gothamist) A new study from The Health Department shows the city underreported NYPD-related deaths, including a dozen deaths of unarmed people of color over five years. Between 2010 and 2015, the number was reported as 46, but research shows identified 105 deaths. (Kathleen Culliton for Patch) When an NYPD SUV drove into a group of protesters, NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea says they didn't violate policy and they came out with "no injuries to anyone." (Amanda Hatfield for BrooklynVegan)
"Last Halloween, my wife and then-6-year-old daughter were making their way home after trick-or-treating in Brooklyn. Suddenly, an unmarked NYPD car with sirens wailing began speeding against traffic up a one-way street, our neighborhood’s main thoroughfare. The officer seemed to be going after a few teenage boys.
Then, in an instant, the car hit one of the kids."
-Eric Umansky for ProPublica, My Family Saw a Police Car Hit a Kid on Halloween. Then I Learned How NYPD Impunity Works.
Starting Tuesday night, activists have occupied City Hall Park with a plan to stay through the end of the month, calling for a reduction in the NYPD's budget by $1 billion. (Sydney Pereira and Scott Heins for Gothamist) The city will paint a Black Lives Matter mural on the street in front of Trump Tower. (Brendan Krisel for Patch) Photos: The history of the Dyke March. (Donna Aceto for Gay City News) New York City does not plan to offer in-person classes this summer for students with disabilities. (Alex Zimmerman for Chalkbeat) Mayor de Blasio announced 23 miles of new open streets, including nine miles of temporarily protected bike lanes. It brings the total milage to 67, short of his promise to open 100 miles by the end of this month. (Ben Yakas for Gothamist) The mayor announced the city might have to lay off or furlough 22,000 municipal workers this fall to help close the city's budget gap. (Dana Rubenstein for NY Times) After another mess of an election day in NYC, there is another round of calls to reform how we vote to make elections more inclusive and fair. (Toss Maisel for amNewYork Metro) If you're planning on doing outdoor dining, check ahead to see if you'll need reservations. (Hannah Albertine for The Infatuation) 10 excellent places for takeout in Queens. (Joe DeStefano for Grub Street) Thanks to reader Ryan for sending in today's featured photo!