June 23, 2020 By Allie Griffin Alternate side parking rules will be cut to once per week across the entire city for a one-week pilot beginning Monday — in what could well become a permanent change. The city will cut street cleaning and alternate side parking rules to once a week on streets where they… Read more »
June 23, 2020 By Allie Griffin Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Monday that her office has formed a violent crimes bureau to prosecute street gangs, drug traffickers and firearms dealers. The newly-created Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau combines the former Narcotics Investigations and Gang Violence bureaus. The unit focuses on identifying organized criminal activity in… Read more »
June 22, 2020 By Allie Griffin Playgrounds opened for New York City children today, but Big Apple pups will have to wait longer to play inside public dog runs. Playgrounds reopened today as the city entered Phase Two of the reopening plan, while other defined spaces inside city parks remain closed — including dog runs… Read more »
June 19, 2020 By Allie Griffin A street safety advocacy group is calling on the mayor to redistribute a portion of the NYPD budget to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and shift traffic enforcement away from police officers. Transportation Alternatives released a report Friday in which its members argue that police enforcement of traffic laws… Read more »
June 18, 2020 By Allie Griffin Queens leaders celebrated the Supreme Court’s decision today blocking President Donald Trump from ending the DACA program. The Court ruled, 5-4, that Trump cannot terminate the “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals” or DACA program that protects people unlawfully brought into the country as young children from deportation. The news… Read more »
June 18, 2020 By Allie Griffin New Yorkers will be able to dine out at their local restaurants Monday, as New York City begins the next phase of reopening. Mayor Bill de Blasio confirmed today that the five boroughs will enter Phase Two of the state’s reopening plan Monday, noting that restaurants will be able… Read more »
June 18, 2020 By Allie Griffin Two people were shot near the Woodside Houses Monday, including a bystander. Three men fired several rounds near Broadway and 51st Street just before 8 p.m. The bullets struck a 31-year-old man in the back and grazed a bystander, a 44-year-old woman, in the back, police said. An ambulance… Read more »
June 18, 2020 By Allie Griffin A burglar allegedly stole several thousand dollars from an Astoria Popeyes Monday. The man climbed onto the roof of the fried chicken chain restaurant, located at 32-78 48th St., and broke in from above at about 4:25 a.m., police said. Inside, he grabbed $4,600 from cash registers and ran… Read more »
June 17, 2020 By Allie Griffin Queens Public Library will reopen some of its branches next month as New York City begins to return to pre-coronavirus normalcy. Six to eight branches in the borough will open for pick up and drop off services in mid-July, with more to follow, President and CEO of Queens Public… Read more »
June 17, 2020 By Allie Griffin New York City is on track to enter Phase Two of the state’s reopening process Monday, with hair salons, barbershops and outdoor dining to reopen. Governor Andrew Cuomo made the announcement today just hours after Mayor Bill de Blasio refused to give a precise date for when the city… Read more »