NYC NOW - May 18, 2023: Morning Headlines

Episode Date: May 18, 2023

Get up and get informed! Here's all the local news you need to start your day: Mayor Adams explores using closed Rikers Island jail for migrant housing, Adams Administration implements new plan to curb five-year shoplifting rise, and New York City urges residents to dispose of lithium-ion batteries safely to avert fires.

Welcome to NYC Now. Your source for local news in and around New York City from WNYC. It's Thursday, May 18th. Here's the morning headlines from David First. As the city struggles to house new migrants, Mayor Eric Adams says New York City officials are going to look at everything, including a closed jail on Rikers Island. Adams did not rule out a proposal that was reported yesterday that city officials are considering sending migrants to the closed Otis Bant Corrections Center. Adams challenged critics to say where they would shelter migrants, many of whom

are seeking asylum. You tell me where we should go then. That's what I need. So whomever is saying, don't go to a hotel on this block. Don't go to a hotel on that block. If you're telling me that, then I need for you to tell me where to go. He adds that nothing is set in stone yet. According to the news outlet, the city, officials have reportedly backed off a separate plan to house new arrivals in school gyms in Brooklyn. Meanwhile, the Adams administration has a new plan to fight the increase in shoplifting over the past five years. WNYC's Elizabeth Shoe has more on that. Mayor Adams says 327 people were responsible for 30% of retail theft across the city. So the city will create a repeat offender database where retailers can submit information to for the NYPD to better track

serial shoplifters. The person who's stealing and Duane Reeves, is also stealing in Walgreens, Target, and many of our other stores. It's the same individuals. They move from one location to another, and if we are organized together, we can bring a conclusion to it. The city will also establish a neighborhood retail watch program. The mayor also wants a state and federal governments to enact new sale authentication procedures to crack down on the resale of stolen goods on the internet. New York City is urging residents to get rid of their supply of lithium, my-on batteries which can cause deadly fires. You can find them in some electric bikes and scooters, but fire commissioner Laura Kavanaugh says they're risky. But we know that there are unsafe devices

in the hands of our citizens right now. So we're doing everything we can to mitigate potential dangers. City Council wants to start a buyback program where people can exchange these batteries for new and safer ones. 47 degrees right now in New York City. It's going to be sunny. Today we'll get up to a high of 63 this afternoon. Tonight, mostly clear with a low of 52. Tomorrow, mostly sunny, a high of 68. This is WNYC. Thanks for listening.

This is NYC now from WNYC. Be sure to catch us every weekday, three times a day, for your top news headlines and occasional deep dives. And subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. See you this afternoon.