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N.Y. Today: Why Police Drones Are Coming N.Y. Today: Why Police Drones Are Coming
(about 2 hours later)
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It’s Wednesday. 🤳Kanye West apologized for being that guy on his phone during opening night of “The Cher Show” on Broadway.It’s Wednesday. 🤳Kanye West apologized for being that guy on his phone during opening night of “The Cher Show” on Broadway.
Weather: Cold again, and clouding up, with a high of 38. Cold settling in: We may not break 40 for at least a week.Weather: Cold again, and clouding up, with a high of 38. Cold settling in: We may not break 40 for at least a week.
Alternate-side parking: in effect until Saturday.Alternate-side parking: in effect until Saturday.
What they’ll use them for: The New York Police Department announced on Tuesday that officers will use 14 drones to map crime scenes, watch over large events and aid search-and-rescue operations. But they won’t be used for “warrantless surveillance.”What they’ll use them for: The New York Police Department announced on Tuesday that officers will use 14 drones to map crime scenes, watch over large events and aid search-and-rescue operations. But they won’t be used for “warrantless surveillance.”
What officials won’t say: The Times reports that police officials rejected recommendations that would have required them to disclose regularly how often they were using drones and why.What officials won’t say: The Times reports that police officials rejected recommendations that would have required them to disclose regularly how often they were using drones and why.
What officials will say: The police will voluntarily report “aggregate data” regarding the drone program, said Devora Kaye, a department spokeswoman.
What critics say: It’s unclear whether the police have the legal authority to fly the drones or whether they need authorization from the City Council.What critics say: It’s unclear whether the police have the legal authority to fly the drones or whether they need authorization from the City Council.
Flying drones in the city could be considered reckless endangerment, and current laws may not carve out an exception for law enforcement.Flying drones in the city could be considered reckless endangerment, and current laws may not carve out an exception for law enforcement.
Why it matters: “Like any tool, drones can be used for good or for less-than-honorable purposes,” said Jim McKinley, who edits criminal justice stories for The Times’s Metro Desk.Why it matters: “Like any tool, drones can be used for good or for less-than-honorable purposes,” said Jim McKinley, who edits criminal justice stories for The Times’s Metro Desk.
The drones could reach remote crime scenes, getting close to hostages or examining bombs — but “they could also be used to peer into people’s windows.”The drones could reach remote crime scenes, getting close to hostages or examining bombs — but “they could also be used to peer into people’s windows.”
Critics, he said, want the government “to keep an eye on the people keeping an eye on us.”Critics, he said, want the government “to keep an eye on the people keeping an eye on us.”
The Times’s J. David Goodman reports:The Times’s J. David Goodman reports:
Amazon has a former city councilman from Queens working for the company before it faces contentious hearings with city lawmakers over its expansion into Long Island City. If you’ll recall, the company received as much as $3 billion in incentives from the city and state.Amazon has a former city councilman from Queens working for the company before it faces contentious hearings with city lawmakers over its expansion into Long Island City. If you’ll recall, the company received as much as $3 billion in incentives from the city and state.
Amazon hired the influential lobbying firm Greenberg Traurig to represent it. Over the weekend, a lobbyist and former city councilman from Queens, Mark Weprin, made calls to some on the Council, according to three people familiar with the calls.Amazon hired the influential lobbying firm Greenberg Traurig to represent it. Over the weekend, a lobbyist and former city councilman from Queens, Mark Weprin, made calls to some on the Council, according to three people familiar with the calls.
The lobbying appeared to signal that Amazon was taking opposition to the deal seriously.The lobbying appeared to signal that Amazon was taking opposition to the deal seriously.
A company spokeswoman said Amazon was “excited to work with New Yorkers” and that “we are going to be all hands on deck to ensure we continue to learn about the neighborhood and the community.”A company spokeswoman said Amazon was “excited to work with New Yorkers” and that “we are going to be all hands on deck to ensure we continue to learn about the neighborhood and the community.”
The Strand bookstore at 12th Street and Broadwayis a literary landmark. Now, city officials want to declare its building a landmark.The Strand bookstore at 12th Street and Broadwayis a literary landmark. Now, city officials want to declare its building a landmark.
Let the drama ensue.Let the drama ensue.
As The Times's Corey Kilgannon reports, the Strand’s owner, who also owns the building, said the restrictions that come with landmark status will be expensive, and jeopardize her already fragile book business. (Really, is there any other kind of book business?)As The Times's Corey Kilgannon reports, the Strand’s owner, who also owns the building, said the restrictions that come with landmark status will be expensive, and jeopardize her already fragile book business. (Really, is there any other kind of book business?)
At a Landmarks Preservation Commission hearing yesterday, Strand supporters spoke out.At a Landmarks Preservation Commission hearing yesterday, Strand supporters spoke out.
Hank O’Neal, a photographer and writer who lives next door to the Strand, called it “a cultural and historical resource of immeasurable importance” that needs protection in an “increasingly difficult retail environment.”Hank O’Neal, a photographer and writer who lives next door to the Strand, called it “a cultural and historical resource of immeasurable importance” that needs protection in an “increasingly difficult retail environment.”
Data weapons for tenants: Coders are building apps to help city renters dig up dirt on bad landlords.Data weapons for tenants: Coders are building apps to help city renters dig up dirt on bad landlords.
Apollo Theater: The storied Harlem institution will create spaces to incubate works by up-and-coming artists.Apollo Theater: The storied Harlem institution will create spaces to incubate works by up-and-coming artists.
Ralph’s coffee: The Ralph Lauren shop on Madison Avenue will have a pop-up coffee shop.Ralph’s coffee: The Ralph Lauren shop on Madison Avenue will have a pop-up coffee shop.
Bleecker Street revival: A once-luxe stretch of the West Village that was recently pocked with empty storefronts is sprucing up again.Bleecker Street revival: A once-luxe stretch of the West Village that was recently pocked with empty storefronts is sprucing up again.
Election trips: The company that supplied voting machines that failed en masse on Election Day bought flights, hotels and fancy dinners for the head of the city’s Board of Elections. [NY1]Election trips: The company that supplied voting machines that failed en masse on Election Day bought flights, hotels and fancy dinners for the head of the city’s Board of Elections. [NY1]
Not funny: A writer for “Saturday Night Live” had his stand-up comedy set cut short at Columbia University by students who found his jokes offensive. [Columbia Spectator]Not funny: A writer for “Saturday Night Live” had his stand-up comedy set cut short at Columbia University by students who found his jokes offensive. [Columbia Spectator]
Sorry, Santa bros: The Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North and New Jersey Transit are banning alcohol this weekend in anticipation of the red-suited scourge known as SantaCon. [Gothamist]Sorry, Santa bros: The Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North and New Jersey Transit are banning alcohol this weekend in anticipation of the red-suited scourge known as SantaCon. [Gothamist]
Ikea, hold the meatballs: The chain is coming to Manhattan, but the store, on Third Avenue, will not have a restaurant. [Daily News]Ikea, hold the meatballs: The chain is coming to Manhattan, but the store, on Third Avenue, will not have a restaurant. [Daily News]
Maybe pizza is his passion? He hasn’t finished writing the “Game of Thrones” series, but George R.R. Martin did release a video about New York City pizza. [Gothamist]Maybe pizza is his passion? He hasn’t finished writing the “Game of Thrones” series, but George R.R. Martin did release a video about New York City pizza. [Gothamist]
The city’s worst food of 2018: BBQ near the Port Authority, the brisket at Arby’s and “charred avocado” made the list. [Eater]The city’s worst food of 2018: BBQ near the Port Authority, the brisket at Arby’s and “charred avocado” made the list. [Eater]
Here are the formulas the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission is using to guarantee a minimum wage for drivers of ride-hail apps of at least $17.22 an hour, after expenses.Here are the formulas the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission is using to guarantee a minimum wage for drivers of ride-hail apps of at least $17.22 an hour, after expenses.
(We don’t understand them either.)(We don’t understand them either.)
The TLC passed the minimum wage yesterday.The TLC passed the minimum wage yesterday.
The Museum of Mathematics hosts talks on how big data increases inequality. 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. [Free]The Museum of Mathematics hosts talks on how big data increases inequality. 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. [Free]
80 years after Kindertransport, the effort to rescue children from Nazi Germany, Holocaust survivors speak on a panel at Kupferberg Holocaust Center. 12 p.m. [Free]80 years after Kindertransport, the effort to rescue children from Nazi Germany, Holocaust survivors speak on a panel at Kupferberg Holocaust Center. 12 p.m. [Free]
A discussion on the potential impact of the 2020 census at the CUNY Graduate Center. 6:30 p.m. [Free]A discussion on the potential impact of the 2020 census at the CUNY Graduate Center. 6:30 p.m. [Free]
Musicians of all ages and skill levels: Bring instruments to Old Stone House in Park Slope for a jam session. 7 p.m. [$5 suggested donation]Musicians of all ages and skill levels: Bring instruments to Old Stone House in Park Slope for a jam session. 7 p.m. [$5 suggested donation]
Events are subject to change, so double-check before heading out. For more events, see the going-out guides from The Times’s culture pages.Events are subject to change, so double-check before heading out. For more events, see the going-out guides from The Times’s culture pages.
— Iman Stevenson— Iman Stevenson
Dear Diary:Dear Diary:
In 1976, I was 15 and working in the back room of my parents’ Upper West Side typewriter shop, Osner Business Machines.In 1976, I was 15 and working in the back room of my parents’ Upper West Side typewriter shop, Osner Business Machines.
The air was pungent with the smell of lubricants and cleaning solvents. The floor-to-ceiling shelves were stuffed two and three deep with typewriters of every size and shape. A makeshift cowbell jangled when the front door opened.The air was pungent with the smell of lubricants and cleaning solvents. The floor-to-ceiling shelves were stuffed two and three deep with typewriters of every size and shape. A makeshift cowbell jangled when the front door opened.
My father greeted each new customer from behind a yellowing linoleum counter, equally attentive to person and ailing machine. When someone paid with a credit card, he would pass it to me. My job was to call the card company for authorization.My father greeted each new customer from behind a yellowing linoleum counter, equally attentive to person and ailing machine. When someone paid with a credit card, he would pass it to me. My job was to call the card company for authorization.
One day, after taking an American Express card, I did a double-take at the name embossed on it: Lou Reed.One day, after taking an American Express card, I did a double-take at the name embossed on it: Lou Reed.
I poked my head out, gesturing wildly toward my father. On the other side of the counter, I glimpsed a figure in black leather.I poked my head out, gesturing wildly toward my father. On the other side of the counter, I glimpsed a figure in black leather.
“Daddy,” I said, “that’s Lou Reed!”“Daddy,” I said, “that’s Lou Reed!”
My father, who tuned in to the local Yiddish-language radio station when he wasn’t listening to WQXR, offered a dubious response.My father, who tuned in to the local Yiddish-language radio station when he wasn’t listening to WQXR, offered a dubious response.
“Who’s Lou Reed?”“Who’s Lou Reed?”
I rolled my eyes.I rolled my eyes.
“He’s a rock star,” I whispered.“He’s a rock star,” I whispered.
My father, unimpressed, returned to the counter. I tiptoed behind, my mouth agape as I stared at the familiar, craggy, handsome face.My father, unimpressed, returned to the counter. I tiptoed behind, my mouth agape as I stared at the familiar, craggy, handsome face.
“Mr. Reed,” my father said in his thick Polish accent, “my daughter thinks she knows you?”“Mr. Reed,” my father said in his thick Polish accent, “my daughter thinks she knows you?”
Lou Reed blinked. One corner of his mouth quivered into the slightest of smiles.Lou Reed blinked. One corner of his mouth quivered into the slightest of smiles.
“Well,” he said, returning my gaze, “she might.”“Well,” he said, returning my gaze, “she might.”
— Anne Adelman— Anne Adelman
So said the New Yorkers who cast write-in votes for governor last month, according to official results posted this week. Those coming in (far) behind Gov. Andrew Cuomo included:So said the New Yorkers who cast write-in votes for governor last month, according to official results posted this week. Those coming in (far) behind Gov. Andrew Cuomo included:
Cynthia Nixon: 516 votesCynthia Nixon: 516 votes
Michael Bloomberg and Zephyr Teachout: 59 eachMichael Bloomberg and Zephyr Teachout: 59 each
Preet Bharara: 22Preet Bharara: 22
Hillary Clinton: 16Hillary Clinton: 16
Mario Cuomo: 5Mario Cuomo: 5
Barack Obama and Bill de Blasio: 4 eachBarack Obama and Bill de Blasio: 4 each
Bernie Sanders and Jimmy “The rent is too damn high” McMillan: 3 eachBernie Sanders and Jimmy “The rent is too damn high” McMillan: 3 each
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Amazon Cuomo, Andy Byford, David Dinkins and the Shirley Chisholm/Jumaane Williams ticket: 2 votes eachAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Amazon Cuomo, Andy Byford, David Dinkins and the Shirley Chisholm/Jumaane Williams ticket: 2 votes each
[h/t The Times’s Liz Robbins][h/t The Times’s Liz Robbins]
Enjoy your Wednesday — and vote with your heart.Enjoy your Wednesday — and vote with your heart.
New York Today is published weekdays at 6 a.m. Sign up here to get it by email. You can also find it at nytoday.com.New York Today is published weekdays at 6 a.m. Sign up here to get it by email. You can also find it at nytoday.com.
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