NYPD's Stop-and-Frisks At An All-Time High

The New York Police Department has stopped and frisked a record number of people in New York in the first quarter of 2009. According to The Gothamist, collected data has shown that: "The NYPD stopped and searched more innocent people during the first three months of 2009 than during any three month period since police began collecting data on the program."

The released statistics state that New York police officers stopped and questioned 171,094 residents between January and March 2009. More than 151,000 of those stopped did not receive any charges. 145,000 of the New Yorkers who were stopped and questioned by the police were Black and Latino.

The NYPD is collecting personal data on everyone they stop. According to a New York Civil Liberties Union representative, this information is being compiled in a giant database.

If It Ain't Broke...Don't Spend $17 Million To Fix It

According to the news source, The Gothamist, approximately a year ago, the NY State Division of Tourism allocated $17 million to remix the classic "I Love New York" logo.

An ad agency that received a portion of the multi-million dollar budget, amended the logo by adding some snow, a butterfly, and a squirrel (See the picture above).

[SIDEBAR: Raise your hand if you think that you could have done better. Raise both hands if you think this is a crazy, waste of money. SMH.]

The new logo was supposedly created so that it can be printed on brochures that will reportedly be distributed in the UK.

The World Trade Center Claims Its 2,751th Victim

Earlier this week New York City's medical examiner ruled that the October 2008 death of a New York resident was due to toxic dust inhaled at The World Trade Center's Ground Zero. Leon Heyward died of cancer, which doctors believe was brought on by Mr. Heyward's early exposure to the deadly 9/11 site.

According to The Gothamist, the heroic Mr. Heyward "worked as an investigator, and helped get handicapped co-workers out at The Department of Consumer Affairs office on Church Street after the planes hit."

After the event, as time progressed, Leon Heyward's physical ailments began to emerge. He reportedly suffered from seizures, and other neurological illnesses. Despite his severe symptoms, Leon Heyward was denied worker's compensation during his lifetime. This is no way for the city to treat our heroes.

R.I.P. to Leon Heyward & condolences to his loved ones.

Shouldn't Somebody Be Getting Indicted For This?

According to a revealing New York Daily News article, there is proof- via e-mails, that Mayor Bloomberg's aides covertly "pressured city tax assessors to inflate [the] value" of land under which the new Yankee Stadium sits.

The mayor's aides allegedly did this so that the New York Yankee's team owners could qualify for nearly $1 billion in tax-free bonds. The Daily News states: "In March 2006, the city's chief tax assessor put the market value for the stadium site at $27 million, far lower than the Yankees wanted. A Finance Department official ordered him to redo the report. Within hours he jacked it up to $204 million."

Despite the incriminating evidence, Bloomberg's aides are adamant that they did nothing wrong. What do you say? I say, "Shouldn't Somebody Be Getting Indicted For This?" (Or, at the bottom-of-the-barrel least, investigated?)

[SOURCE]

[SIDEBAR: See what I mean about this fake "recession." How could the city not be financially sinking with unethical (and, probably criminal) maneuvers like this from "City Officials"?...All of this from the administration of a mayor who wants a third term?!]

[CLICK HERE for a past post on the building of the new Yankee Stadium, entitled, "It's A Recession, Yet This Is How New York's Officials Choose To Spend Taxpayers' Money..."

Is This Really Real?...You've Got To Be Kidding Me!

New York's Governor, David Paterson, reportedly has a new Turkish rug in the Governor's mansion that has a five-figure price tag attached to it.

In the midst of an alleged multi-billion dollar city deficit, the Governor's executive mansion has apparently been able to afford a new (approximately) $20,000 show piece.

According to New York news source, The Gothamist, the rug was purchased from Democratic gubernatorial sponsors, Stark Carpeting.

The Gothamist also states that, "A spokeswoman for Governor Paterson revealed that the governor only yesterday [November 20, 2008], learned of the high price tag antique rugs bought for the Executive Mansion over the summer. His administration also denied all requests from the press to see the [$20,000 rug], that now has been revealed to be one of five purchased- for a total of just under $38,000. Assemblyman James Tedisco has already called on the Governor to return the expensive carpeting. But once again the Office of General Services was defending the purchase saying, 'We have to keep that mansion in the kind of condition it's in because it's a treasure to the public.' And the general manager at Stark Carpeting, where the first rug was discovered to have been bought for over $20,000 defended the governor for actually being a spendthrift by not purchasing a $150,000 carpet, 'They could have had the Bentley instead of the Ford.'"

New York Politicians, and their staffs, keep showing what they're made of.

[SIDEBAR: "...A treasure to the public?" I wonder if they'll let me have a holiday meet & greet on it? SMH.]

Mayor Bloomberg Continues To Try To Get Blood From A Stone

In an attempt to balance the New York City budget, Mayor Bloomberg continues to throw out outlandish ideas that will financially drain, already over-extended New Yorkers.

After announcing plans to rescind property tax refunds and implement huge budget cuts last week, the Mayor is now allegedly attempting to put tolls at certain bridges, and charge grocery shoppers for every plastic bag they use to transport their groceries home.

[SIDEBAR: Why can't a Mayor who reportedly tripled his billion dollar empire since his induction as Mayor, balance the budget??? At this point, he'll be one of the few residents in the city who will be able to afford to carry his groceries home.]

Mayor Bloomberg Announces Huge Budget Cuts

Just a few days shy of forcefully implementing a controversial new law that will grant city politicians the opportunity to serve for three terms, Mayor Bloomberg has announced some more unpopular decisions.

According to The New York Times, Bloomberg plans to slash 3,000 city jobs and suspend property tax rebates in an attempt to salvage the city's budget. The budget has been hemorrhaging dollars during his tenure as Mayor.

The Mayor's fiscal plan also calls for: Drastic cuts to education ($181 million this year and $385 million next year), a reduction in subsidies to libraries and cultural institutions, and an abbreviation of training for specialized city workers- like firefighters.

Detractors to the Mayor's financial plan are noting the lack of parity in it; stating that it unfairly targets the pockets and well-being of the average worker. In response to Bloomberg's new budget the Municipal Labor Committee has voiced their displeasure by saying, "The city and its workforce did not cause the problem and therefore should not be left on its own to resolve it."

[SIDEBAR: I wonder if Bloomberg was listening when Obama said, "Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers. In this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people." Maybe he had his tv turned down for that part.

I hope the political parties have viable mayoral candidates lined up for NYC's next election!!!]

The Day That Democracy Died: NYC Term Limits Extended Without The Approval Of The People

Today the City Council of New York, not only voted not to allow the citizens of the city to determine whether their municipal representatives should have an extension of term limits, they also took matters into their own hands- negating the rights of their constituents to cast their own votes- and voted to extend NYC's term limits.

The people of New York previously voted twice (in 1993 and 1996), not to have their governmental officials in office for more than two terms. However, today, the voice of the people was blatantly ignored by the majority of the city council. According to the New York Daily News, "Votes began tipping toward the mayor before noon, as Council members feared they would lose committee assignments or pork-barrel funds if they voted "no"- and their protest would be pointless if the bill passed anyway." [SIDEBAR: The war of politics is no place for jellyfish!]

The term extension bill was passed in a 29-22 vote.

Many of the city's residents seethe over not being able to vote for term limits directly. However, this fight is far from over. Many constituents are vowing not to re-elect council members who voted to have term limits extended.

Here's the New York Daily News' breakdown on how the City Council voted on extending term limits:

YES
Maria del Carmen Arroyo (D-Bronx)
Maria Baez (D-Bronx)
Leroy G. Comrie, Jr. (D-Queens)
Inez E. Dickens (D-Manhattan)
Erik Martin Dilan(D-Brooklyn)
Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn)
Lewis A. Fidler (D-Brooklyn)
Helen D. Foster (D-Bronx)
Alan J. Gerson (D-Manhattan)
Sara M. Gonzalez (D-Brooklyn)
Robert Jackson (D-Manhattan)
Melinda R. Katz (D-Queens)
G. Oliver Koppell(D-Bronx)
Miguel Martinez (D-Manhattan)
Darlene Mealy (D-Brooklyn)
Michael C. Nelson (D-Brooklyn)
Christine C. Quinn (D-Manhattan)
Domenic M. Recchia, Jr. (D-Brooklyn)
Diana Reyna (D-Brooklyn)
Joel Rivera (D-Bronx)
James Sanders, Jr. (D-Queens)
Larry B. Seabrook (D-Bronx)
Helen Sears (D-Queens)
Kendall Stewart (D-Brooklyn)
James Vacca (D-Bronx)
Peter F. Vallone, Jr. (D-Queens)
Albert Vann (D-Brooklyn)
Thomas White, Jr. (D-Queens)
David Yassky (D-Brooklyn)

NO
Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens)
Tony Avella (D-Queens)
Charles Barron (D-Brooklyn)
Gale A. Brewer (D-Manhattan)
Anthony Como (R-Queens)
Bill de Blasio (D-Brooklyn)
Mathieu Eugene (D-Brooklyn)
Daniel R. Garodnick (D-Manhattan)
James F. Gennaro (D-Queens)
Vincent J. Gentile (D-Brooklyn)
Eric N. Gioia (D-Queens)
Vincent Ignizio (R-S.I.)
Letitia James (D-Brooklyn)
Jessica S. Lappin (D-Manhattan)
John C. Liu (D-Queens)
Melissa Mark-Viverito (D-Manhattan)
Michael E. McMahon (D-S.I.)
Rosie Mendez (D-Manhattan)
Hiram Monserrate (D-Queens)
James S. Oddo (R-S.I.)
Annabel Palma (D-Bronx)
David I.Weprin(D-Queens)


[SIDEBAR: In alignment with the Biggie Smalls adage that, "Real Bad Boys move in silence," the instigator of the whole term limits debacle, Mayor Bloomberg, has yet to issue a statement regarding today's going-ons.
What isn't for sale in this city???
Democratic Dictatorship at its worst!]

New York City Schools Are Over-Extended

The New York City public school system, which is reportedly the largest in the country, is busting at the seams with students. WNYC states that, "According to the mayor's management report, 20% of New York City elementary schools and 59% of high schools exceed capacity." Teachers are also complaining about the over-regulation class sizes. Some classes have an excess of thirty-something students per room. Having too many pupils in one room slows down the learning process, and decreases classroom manageability.

This is a situation that highlights the importance of how the city's budget is allocated. Instead of building more jails and courthouses, we need more schools.

Ironically, a swanky new courthouse has just been built in the downtown Brooklyn area. Meanwhile, the dilapidated, old Brooklyn family court building has been designated as a schoolhouse. What does that say about the city's priorities?

With 2/3rds Of The City Council Reaching Their Term Limits By 2009, They Have A Motive To Support Bloomberg's New Term-Limit Expansion Bill

In August, I posted a blog entry stating that: In 2009, "The mayor, the comptroller, and the public advocate have all used up their turns at the dance...two thirds of the city council and four out of five borough presidents will also be ousted due to term limits." I also stated that, "With all of the mandatory changes on the horizon, now is as good a time as any for New Yorkers to start wielding their political power." However, the game has now changed.

After making repetitive bold-faced denials to the press concerning seeking an unprecedented third-term, Mayor Bloomberg has done an about face and has introduced a new legislative bill requesting to increase New York City politicians' term limits from two terms to three terms.

The modus operandi that Bloomberg has used to slip the bill to the city council has been very Machiavellian. His initial denials, ate up the time that dissenters of the bill could have had to organize and protest it. [SIDEBAR: How's that for democracy at work?] According to the New York Daily News, this bill could come to a vote in the city council in as early as two weeks. With 35 city council members soon to be ousted due to term limits, it is no mystery as to how many of them will vote. However, I implore the elected officials who have the power of the ballot on this issue to put the people first. Their first and last loyalties should be to the constituents that they serve.

After seeing eminent domain, and other economic and social perils, proliferate in the city during Bloomberg's terms as mayor, I am personally not looking forward to him serving a third term.

The mayor who serves the city for the upcoming term should be one who has the interest of the average New Yorker at heart. During these perilous times, the last thing we need is another politician at the helm who will bailout corporations with "the people's money," while "the people suffer."

Make sure your voice is heard by your city council representative!

The Self-Serving Crusade Of Our Billionaire Mayor

After repeatedly denying that he would seek an unorthodox third-term as mayor, Michael Bloomberg has changed his tune.

The Billionaire New York Mayor is now aggressively on a crusade to secure four more years in office. To do this, the long-standing law of allowing a mayor only two-terms at the helm, will have to be amended.

When Bloomberg was first elected Mayor of New York, I hopefully predicted that he would be of great service to the city. After reading his rags-to-riches autobiography, I thought that the current mayor would be able to relate to the average New Yorker, and their aspirations. [SIDEBAR: This was before I was wise about the ways of the world, and the smoke & mirrors/puppet show that is politics.] However, in my opinion, his mayoralty has been weak, and detrimental to the working-class New Yorker.

I have more than a sneaky suspicion that Bloomberg, and his flushed with cash friends, have swooped down on the New York real estate market (among other New York markets) in stealth; making the city close to unlivable for average-waged workers.

Also, the mayor has been virtually mute on important going-ons in the city. He has rarely given more than evasive comments, if that, when various crises have occurred.

Currently, there seems to be a debate going on over whether or not New York City Council members, or New Yorkers (in a special spring-time vote) will decide whether or not the current mayor will have the privilege of having a third term. I feel like this type of decision should be in the hands of people, if it is to be entertained at all. However, a lot of indicators are pointing to the city's council members having the final say. Therefore, it is imperative that you voice your opinion concerning this matter with your council person, ASAP!

Cops Gone Wild Part 18: The Taser An Unarmed Man Standing On A Ledge Edition

Last week, NYPD officers caused the death of an unarmed mentally disturbed man who had climbed outside on a storefront ledge nude. The mother of the man who was exhibiting bizarre behavior, called 911 seeking assistance for her son. Instead of seeing her son receive the help he needed, she is now mourning his death.

When the police arrived to "help" Inman Morales, instead of coaxing him off they ledge, they tasered him. Using such force was obviously excessive since Mr. Morales wasn't brandishing a weapon. There was also no chance that Mr. Morales had a concealed weapon, because he wasn't wearing any clothing.

As a result of being tasered Inman Morales plunged head first off of the ledge on which he was statant, to his death. The NYPD's Deputy Commissioner recounted the tragic incident by saying, "While officers had radioed for an inflatable bag as the incident unfolded, it had not yet arrived at the scene when Morales fell. None of the ESU [Emergency Service Unit] officers on the scene were positioned to break his fall, nor did they devise a plan in advance to do so."

It seems that the officers who were involved in causing the death of Mr. Morales acted outside of departmental guidelines which reportedly directs officers to avoid tasering people who could possibly fall from an elevated surface.

The lieutenant who gave the green light for the tasering has allegedly been placed on modified assignment. The officer who actually shocked Inman Morales with his stun gun, has reportedly been given administrative duties. The NYPD's Emergency Service Unit is also said to be undergoing retraining on the proper use of a taser.

Michael Bloomberg, the man who has been accused by the press of wanting to change the law so he can serve a third term as New York's mayor, had this to say about the nonsensical, life-aborting actions of the NYPD: I'm "not sure this was handled right."

I don't have an abacus with enough beads to tally the number of deaths caused by police officers acting nonsensically. I don't understand the light pinch (if that) that police officers consistently get for unjustifiably taking people's lives.

[SIDEBAR: I still remember when I thought that having Bloomberg as a mayor would be good for the city, but with responses like the one he gave regarding the death of Mr. Morales (among other actions), I feel sadly mistaken].

R.I.P. Inman Morales & Khiel Coppin.

Are NYC Housing Project's Residents Being Harassed By The Police? Gentrification May Be The Reason Why

New York Lawyers for the Public Interest recently conducted a survey to determine how residents of New York City housing projects are treated by the police.

The surveyors asked 181 residents of a Brooklyn housing project, and an East Harlem housing project how many times they were stopped and questioned by the police. According to the New York Daily News, the results were as follows: Of the 106 people surveyed at the Thomas Jefferson housing project in Harlem, 30% said that they had been arrested for trespassing at their own place of residence, "70% said they had been repeatedly stopped by cops demanding identification...More than half queried at Walt Whitman [a Fort Greene Brooklyn housing project] said police had stopped them at least once in the last year."

While the surveyed residents feel violated by the intense scrutiny and unwarranted arrests, NYPD spokesman Paul Browne failed to address the residents concerns; instead he issued a statement saying, "Collecting anecdotes from anyone who opens the door does not constitute data." Mr. Browne also stated that the projects were being targeted because they had a spike in crime this year.

I think Mr. Browne should note that if "collecting anecdotes from anyone who opens the door does not constitute data," then unwarranted and unlawful harassment of residents definitely doesn't constitute good police work, or a crime deterrent.

[CLICK HERE: For yesterday's story about a 17-year old Brooklyn housing project resident who got her jaw broken by a NYPD housing officer, after he allegedly stooped her for riding her bike on the sidewalk.]

[A VERY IMPORTANT SIDEBAR: With New York City housing projects being "allegedly" targeted by the city and real estate developers to become New York's newest high-price condos, residents are likely being harassed in order to pressure them to move out. The projects are the hottest most coveted real estate in the city for wealthy developers.]

We Are NOT In A Recession!

The word "recession" is being used by financial pundits, politicians, and journalists to describe the current economic status of many areas in the United States-particularly New York City. However, I feel that this label is a misnomer- especially as it pertains to New York.

I would describe the city's current financial position as one that is being adversely effected by a deliberate mismanagement of funds.

The city does not appear to be depleted of cash. Proof of this can be found in several construction projects that would not be possible in a cash-poor municipality.

Exhibit A: The building of the new Yankee Stadium, with a reported 9-figure contribution from the city's public funds.
Exhibit B: The $7.2 Billion project that is currently underway to extend the Long Island Railroad's service to the east side of Manhattan.
Exhibit C: The city has enough money for certain members of the city council to ravage budgets without explanation.

Despite all of the evidence of the existence of large sums of public money in the hands of city officials, the public is being sold on the idea that their economic hardships are due to a "recession." The orchestrators of societal conditions want us to focus on this term. It is an iron mask for what is really going on- the gross misdealing of our hard-earned tax dollars.

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words Pic Of The Week

Brooklyn, New York (Atlantic Yards)

Doesn't The MTA Make More Than Enough Money Selling Ad Space To Corporations?...

Riders can not step into a MTA train station, train, or bus without being inundated with ads. (Check out the swanky Target ad pictured above (courtesy of flickr), that allows train riders to plug their earphones into the billboard attachment and preview music). The passer-byers on the street are also not immune to this. Outdoor bus stations, and the outside of train stations, are currently being outfitted with new, flashy, high-tech advertisements. So my question is this: With so much advertising space being hawked to deep-pocket corporations, why is the MTA constantly raising the fare?

Why are the mostly working class and middle class commuters being saddled with the responsibility of filling in the MTA's supposed budget gap? Aren't the MTA's cups overflowing with marketing dollars from corporations? I smell a rat? Don't you?

[SIDEBAR: Aren't some of the MTA ads a little over the top with raciness? (I have some flicks, I'll post one day...Just remind me).]

It's So Hot, You Could Fry An Egg On The Sidewalk Grass...

The artificial grass that is blanketing about 100 NYC parks and playgrounds, and counting, is reportedly literally melting the soles off of sneakers. The New York Daily News did an investigation on the installed turf, and found that it was dangerously hot- even on mild days. The temperature of the turf, which is often twice as high as the temperatures reached on natural grass, is said to provoke heat-related illnesses. In addition to this, other dangerous health risks are also associated with the artificial turf.

According to the New York Daily News the synthetic material is composed of: "millions of tiny crumbs which contain heavy metals like lead and cadmium, as well as volatile organic compounds and other chemicals." These materials are highly likely to give off poisonous emissions when exposed to heat. The city needs to rectify this situation pronto, unless they are looking forward to several lawsuits based on the "dangers of the grass."

[SIDEBAR: Doesn't somebody get a nice fat paycheck to do due diligence on this type of thing before it is placed in public spaces. SMH. When will we learn that mother nature knows best.]

Cops Gone Wild Part 1: The Brothel Brothers/The Cops Who Plant The 'Caine & Put You In Chains Edition

The sentencing of two criminal cops in Brooklyn Federal Court was delayed on Friday. The delay was due to new information emerging that could increase the time that the officers are likely to receive.

The officers were facing the judge to receive their punishment for admittedly, "accepting cash and sexual favors from a pimp in return for protecting his brothel." The officers in question also admitted to taking "payoffs from the pimp to help him shut down competing brothels."

As if committing the above mentioned abuses of power and federal crimes were not enough, a cooperating witness says that the Queens, NY unit to which the guilty officers belonged to were "engaged in a practice known as 'flaking,' in which cops planted marijuana, cocaine or Ecstasy on suspects."

After hearing this new information the federal judge assigned to the case stated: "This conduct, if true, is outrageous." She then delayed the sentencing to take this new information into consideration.

I wonder how much time these officers will get for their heinous crimes. I personally suggest that they should serve 20 years plus all of the combined years that the innocent people they placed in jail were sentenced to. I also wonder how deep the investigation will go, not only to weed out the other crooked cops in the unit, but also to free all the people who were unjustly incarcerated in this quagmire.

[Click Here For The Source]

[SIDEBAR: The antics of the PDs across the country is so out of control, I had to gives these stories their own headline and number them in parts. I'm taking all plain bets as to how long it will take for these parts to reach into four figure digits. SMH.]

During A Time Of Tragedy The NYPD Sends A Sick Subliminal To The Black & Latino Community

In an attempt to obtain valuable statistics that would document the trend of police shooting an inordinate number of Black and Hispanic New York City residents, the City Council's Public Safety Committee hit a "blue-brick wall." Although The Freedom of Information Act, gives anyone the right to peruse any documentation that the NYPD would have compiled on such a serious life-and-death issue, police officials have found a cheeky and insulting way of refusing to provide this type of data.

The Firearms Discharge Report that the NYPD turned over to the committee insultingly contained minute details regarding police shootings involving dogs; but were lacking vital information when it came to revealing shootings involving police and African Americans & Latinos.

According to the Village Voice, Deputy Chief John Gerrish's explanation for the shoddy statistics was as follows: "Providing statistics on the age, race, and gender of each officer involved in a shooting as well as for the people who were shot is a waste of the NYPD's time and resources; because no meaningful conclusions may be drawn from such information."

The implications of such a statement coupled with the NYPD meticulously keeping records on what breed of dog was confronted with NYPD bullets, sends a clear message that maybe these people are more qualified to be on dog patrol than they are to "protect & serve" human beings.

CLICK HERE for the full Village Voice article.

So You Mean To Tell Me, That With All The "Terror Alerts" & Big Brother Paraphernalia In The City, Someone Failed To Buy A Paper Shredder...???

Many news sources are reporting that a homeless man has come forward to reveal that he has found what should be top-secret documents, in a Manhattan trash can. According to The New York Post, the vigilant Ohio-native turned New Yorker, reportedly found a 150 page document that contains the blueprints for the Freedom Tower- which is to replace the World Trade Center structure.

Despite the recovered document allegedly containing the blueprints "for each floor, the thickness of the concrete-core wall and the location of air ducts, elevators, electrical systems and support columns;" the project's spokeswoman attempted to defend the security lapse by saying that the discovered plans were not detailed. She also gave the obligatory- "we're looking into it...someone will be reprimanded" spiel.

In light of this egregious breach of security, I must ask myself, "How seriously does the government take their own warnings of 'terroristic threats?'" Citizens have been subjected to invasive government snooping all in the name of "terrorism." Yet, blueprints for one of the supposedly most vulnerable locations in the country is left in a street corner garbage can for anyone to discover. [SIDEBAR: I can't speak on how may "heaven points" the man has, but at least Oliver North knew the value of a good shredder].

Many citizens are understandably rattled by the leakage of the Freedom Tower's blueprints. According to the New York Post, a New Yorker whose son died in the 9/11 tragedy stated: "I'd certainly be pretty leery going to work in the building knowing that security on the plans was so lax...The whole thing is kind of frightening, but at the same time totally expected, because we have been failed time and again." The former head of security of the MTA has also voiced his opinion by saying, "Outrageous security breeches like this amplify how vulnerable New Yorkers are."