NYC NOW - September 1, 2023: Morning Headlines

Episode Date: September 1, 2023

Get up and get informed! Here’s all the local news you need to start your day: A former NYPD officer, on trial for assaulting a woman in a 2019 jail cell incident, claims he “lost control” when she spat at him. Also, despite Mayor Adams’ reservations, elected officials remain firm on their decision to close the Rikers Island jails by 2027. Meanwhile, in transportation news, the NYC Ferry is rolling out its fall schedule on Tuesday, Sept. 5.

Welcome to NYC now. Your source for local news in and around New York City from WNYC. It's Friday, September 1st. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill. A former NYPD officer on trial for repeatedly punching a woman in a jail cell in 2019 testified he lost control after the woman spit on him. WNYC Samantha Max was in the courtroom yesterday. Former officer Luis Smith. Marte says he remained calm when a homeless woman brought into his precinct, yelled insults,

and a racial slur at him. But he says when she spit toward him, that's what set him off. Marte says he told her to stop, but she spit again, this time hitting him in the face. That's when Marte says he got angry. He unlocked the cell, slapped her in the face, and punched her about ten times. He says he stopped when she apologized. Marte has been charged with assault, official misconduct, and lying on police paperwork. A Bronx judge will decide whether he's guilty. Elected officials say they will shutter the jails at Rikers by 2027, even as Mayor Adams asked the city council to reconsider. In a videotaped interview this week, Adams told an NYU law professor there are too many people detained at the city jails to shut down Rikers by 2027.

But public advocate, Jamani Williams, says that's because the mayor is ignoring the the city's plan to reduce incarceration. This administration doesn't want to close Rikers Island. I don't think it had ever any intention to close Rikers Island. Williams says the plan to close Rikers requires more spending on mental health and speedier trials. The jails now house 6,100 people, a quarter of them are therefore misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies.

The New York City ferry is saying goodbye to summer. And launching its fall schedule starting next Tuesday, that's right after Labor Day. South Brooklyn yesterday's weekday service, that is, to Governor's Island, will now end at 5.30 in the evening. Starting September 9th, the Governor's Island Weekend Shuttle will also end at 5.30 in the evening. And starting September 11th, Rockaway Weekday and weekend service will return to regular hourly service. For more information on the fall schedules, visit ferry. 63 and clear, but if you're going to the beach, watch out. High risk for rip currents all the way down to Maryland.

Today is sunny and 76 for a high. 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.