Multiple people shared the news that the ballfields/TF in Tompkins Square Park were locked up yesterday morning, staying closed throughout a summer-like day that saw temperatures hover near 80.
This area along Avenue A at 10th Street remains closed today.
There wasn't any communication from Parks official about the closure — and whether this was a temporary thing or something more semi-permanent for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis. One NYPD officer told a reader that the area would be locked up for the foreseeable future.
There were also also reader reports from Saturday about groups of people in this area not practicing social distancing (including a children's birthday party?).
This is the latest part of the Park to close to help enforce social distancing, joining the basketball and handle courts, dog run and playgrounds.
An NYPD officer has been placed on modified duty following an ugly confrontation on Saturday afternoon when an attempt to enforce social distancing rules escalated on Avenue D at Ninth Street.
Witness Daquan Owens, who took the video below, said the incident started after plainclothes officers approached a man and a woman talking outside a deli around 5:30 p.m. and ordered them to separate. But Owens says the two people were maintaining a six foot distance in accordance with rules intended to slow the spread of COVID-19.
"They were social distancing," Owens said in a telephone interview on Sunday. "The girl was standing by the phone booth, the guy was sitting on a milk crate. When the cops pulled up she said he’s not doing anything. They grabbed her and started tussling with her. Then the guy on the milk crate got mad and started yelling at police."
Here's a narrative of the video below:
Owens's video begins as several plainclothes officers attempt to handcuff two people outside the deli at the northeast corner of Avenue D and East 9th Street. At roughly the 35 second mark of the video, one of the officers turns and advances on bystander Donni Wright, 33, pointing a taser at him. Owens says the officer called Wright the n-word, which can be heard at the 37 second mark, and Wright can be heard asking the officer if he used the racial epithet.
"Move the fuck back right now," the officer shouts. "Don’t flex."
Also in circulation: Security footage showing the start of the incident...
The police said that one man, Shakiem Brunson, was holding a bag of marijuana and became aggressive toward the officers, who moved to arrest him. While he was being handcuffed, a woman, Ashley Serrano, tried to intervene, the police said, and was also arrested.
Donni Wright, a groundskeeper for the NYCHA these past 10 years, was also arrested, and charged with assaulting a police officer.
[Donni Wright, pictured on the street]
The Times identified the officer in the Yankees cap as Francis X. Garcia, who is now on modified duty pending an internal investigation.
The city has paid out at least $182,500 to settle lawsuits involving Garcia, an eight-year veteran who works in the Housing Bureau, the Times uncovered.
As NBC 4 pointed out, the incident "has caught the attention of activists and New York City leaders who have demanded the city enact fair and uniform enforcement of social distancing across all communities."
Local City Councilmember Carlina Rivera is demanding an investigation into the use of excessive force.
I’ve contacted NYPD. We have demanded an investigation for excessive force. Regardless of what transpired before the video, what is the justification for the rage? Where's the professionalism and de-escalation tactics we should expect? We will hold these officers accountable. https://t.co/C7js7wl62D
Meanwhile, David Rankin, a civil rights lawyer representing Wright, told the Times that "the arrest fit within the police department’s long history of violating people’s rights to observe an arrest and called on the officer to be investigated 'fully, quickly, and thoroughly.'"
"The idea that he is doing this without any gloves and no masks, and using profanity and racially charged language, is just completely unacceptable," he said.
ICYMI: On April 26, Gov. Cuomo announced that the Sandy-damaged Canarsie tunnel rehabilitation phase was completed — reportedly several months ahead of schedule and less than $100 million as originally expected.
Now the MTA is focusing on non-tunnel elements, such as the new entrance on 14th Street at Avenue A and the rehabbed station at First Avenue.
The L Project e-newsletter from this past weekend provided an overview of interest to residents and commuters in this neighborhood. Here's a recap of what they had to say (completion dates subject to changes):
• The First Avenue north entrance is expected to open this month with final granite work at the street level scheduled for the fall.
• The First Avenue south entrance opened ahead of schedule last Monday. (The MTA said that the pushed to get it done early given the entrance's proximity to Mount Sinai Beth Israel.) Final work at the street level is scheduled for summer and fall.
[1st Avenue south entrance]
• The new Avenue A north entrance is currently open, with final finishes scheduled for after the completion of the First Avenue north side.
• The Avenue A south entrance is also open. The MTA still needs to complete the granite work. However, officials say that they're keeping this entrance open for the time being given its proximity to the hospital.
• Two street-to-platform elevators at Avenue A on the north and south sides of 14th Street: Estimated completion scheduled for the summer.
• Street restoration along 14th: Paving expected to begin on May 11, pending weather conditions, and the work is estimated to last one week.
The city has been handing out face masks in NYC parks since Saturday.
This morning (May 4!), you can pick up the five-pack of masks in East River Park — specifically the promenade at Sixth Street from 10 to noon.
Our friends up at the West Side Rag reported on Saturday that the city exhausted the supply of 2,000 packages after 45 minutes from a location in Central Park.
This link has the other NYC locations where the city will offer up the masks.
As of April 17, all New Yorkers are required to wear a mask or face covering when out in public and in situations where a 6-foot distance from others cannot be maintained.
Asian Taste reopened yesterday on the northwest corner of Avenue B and Third Street ... providing another quick-serve and inexpensive Chinese food option. (Fei Ma returned to service back on Friday on Avenue A.)
As the interior photo by Stacie Joy shows, management has added a clear protective shield at the front counter to add a barrier between workers and customers.
They are open for pickup/takeout from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily.
However, owner Khaled Abdelhaleem decided to keep the shop open for takeout here at 23 Avenue A near Second Street.
"I'm trying to be here for the neighborhood, to maintain, even if we sell one cup of coffee, we’re happy to be here to feed emergency workers," he said. "NYC helped me to become who I am as a businessman and I want to give back. If you see a store with its lights on — and there aren’t many right now — it makes people happy."
Iced coffees, lattes, espresso, and the baked in-house croissants and danishes are the current best-sellers. Other dishes include a veggie and three-cheese fatir (a flakey Egyptian pastry that can be made sweet or savory).
"We are one of the only places in NYC that makes this," Khaled told me. "It takes about 15 or 20 minutes to make, so you order it and we make it for you right away."
[Khaled Abdelhaleem sans mask and gloves just for the photo]
Hot meals are available for free to first responders from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily, and free coffee for first responders and law enforcement at any time. Current operating hours are from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., but hours are subject to change.
Late afternoon musical interlude provided by Jordan Baker, owner of Baker's Pizza at 201 Avenue A between 12th Street and 13th Street... playing on a piano with a broken pedal. EVG contributor shared the photo and quick video clip...
Baker's was also offering free pizza to essential workers.
