NYC NOW - Morning Headlines: NYPD Officer Who Choked Man Recorded Expressing Remorse, NJ Residents Oppose Application Fees, NJ Officials Warn Swimmers about Dangerous Currents

Episode Date: August 20, 2025

Officer Omar Habib pleaded not guilty after prosecutors accused him of placing a man in an illegal chokehold. But the Bronx DA's office says Habib can be heard on his body camera recording asking himself, "what'd you do, bro?" Meanwhile, Jersey City residents are paying hundreds of dollars to apply for affordable housing. Mayoral candidate Bill O’Dea wants the fees to be eliminated. Finally, Governor Phil Murphy says Erin will miss the Garden State by a "substantial amount," but he's warning residents to avoid going in the water while the hurricane passes by.

Welcome to NYC now, your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Wednesday, August 20th. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill. Bronx prosecutors say an NYPD officer who choked a man was caught on body camera regretting what he had done. WNYC Samantha Max reports prosecutors say a jury should hear those words. Officer Omar Habib pleaded not guilty to several charges after prosecutors accused. him of placing a man in an illegal chokehold. He's the first officer in the Bronx to be indicted under a 2020 law that banned police chokeholds. The Bronx DA's office says Habib can be heard on his

body camera saying he's done and asking himself, quote, what did you do, bro? Habib's attorney asked a judge not to let a jury hear those statements if his case goes to trial. But the judge ruled they will be allowed as evidence in court. Records showed the NYPD discipline Habib years earlier for using a chokehold on another person. Jersey City residents say they're spending hundreds of dollars just to apply for affordable housing. Now some say they want the city to get rid of the application fees. Candidatee for Jersey City Mayor Bill O'Day says residents told him in a town hall meeting they were getting charged up to $150 per application. That makes no sense, and that is often a disincentive for individuals to ever be able to apply for some of those sites.

O'Day says he'd ban the application fees if elected mayor, a spokesperson for the Jersey City apartment. Owners Association says the fees cover property owners' expenses like background and credit checks. New Jersey officials are warning of high waves and dangerous currents to rip swimmers out to sea as Hurricane Aaron moves its way up the East Coast. WNYC, Sean Carlson has more. While Governor Phil Murphy says Aaron will stay in the Atlantic Ocean and miss the Garden State by a substantial amount, he's warning residents to avoid going in the water while the hurricane passes by. This is no time to be complacent. I would just say to you flat out, don't go in the water.

I don't want to be the Amnanyville mayor in Jaws, but the fact of the matter is, I think going in the ocean for the next number of days is something you've got to avoid. A number of beach towns have banned swimming as Aaron moves up the coast, but Murphy says you can still walk on the beach and boardwalk. The peak of the hurricane's effects will be felt tomorrow and continue into Friday. 68 with clouds right now. Shows likely, maybe with a thunderstorm late this afternoon, mostly cloudy and a high of 73, strong winds,

22 miles an hour, and then tomorrow, slim chance of morning rush hours. Showers, mostly cloudy, 73, strong winds. Thanks for listening. This is NYC now from WMYC. Check us out for updates every weekday, three times a day, for the latest news headlines and occasional deep dives. And subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.