The local paper for the Upper East Side FREE AND AFFORDABLE PERFORMANCES ◄ CITY ARTS, P.12
BLOWBACK TO BAIL REFORM
TAKING ACTION AGAINST HATE SOCIETY
Anti-Semitic attacks through the holiday season bring tens of thousands out to a rally – and spur calls for greater protection BY DOUGLAS FEIDEN
“No Hate. No Fear.” “#JewishANDProud.” “America 2020 Not Germany 1933.” The signs were everywhere on a cold, clear day in Lower Manhattan. After a series of brutal attacks on Jews in and around New York City, an estimated
25,000 people gathered at Foley Square on Sunday, Jan. 5, then marched across the Brooklyn Bridge. The crowd was joined by an array of New York politicians, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Reps. Jerrold Nadler and Carolyn Maloney, NY Attorney General Letitia James, Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson and Council Member Mark Levine.
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To take away the judge’s discretion, I think, is ridiculous.” Inspector Kathleen Walsh, commanding officer of the 19th precinct on the UES
OURTOWNNY.COM @OurTownNYC
A VISION FOR 2020
Law enforcement and elected officials worry new law will mean an increase in crime as repeat offenders let go after arrests
20 glimpses of how NYC could shape up in the new decade. p. 9
BY EMILY HIGGINBOTHAM
The new year has ushered in the end of cash bail for many nonviolent defendants in New York, which advocates say will also end the practice of jailing people awaiting trial because they can’t afford to pay bail. But in the first few days of its implementation, local law enforcement officials are concerned that the new law will allow repeat offenders back out onto the streets and that arrests will no longer serve as a deterrence. Last spring, the state legislature passed these reforms, which now limits the charges for which bail can be set. The law mandates that individuals be released on their own recognizance unless more restrictive conditions are needed to ensure they will return for their court date, and require judges to take the defendant’s ability to pay bail when applicable.
FRANCE COMES TO MANHATTAN
Via Micro-Folie, a digital platform for the arts on view from Jan. 14. p. 13
FEEDING THE HUNGRY ON THE UES Inspector Kathleen Walsh, commander of the 19th precinct, expects bail reform to contribute to an increase in larceny and robbery on the Upper East Side in 2020. Photo: David Noonan
The reforms also take away a judge’s discretion to set bail on a range of misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies, which has not sat well with Republicans and moderate Democrats. Just a few days into the new rules, legislators WEEK OF AUGUST
08-14
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OurTownEastSide
9-15 2020 INSIDE
CRIME Mayor Bill de Blasio and other New York politicians joined thousands of participants in the March Against Anti-Semitism on the Brooklyn Bridge on Sunday, January 5. Photo: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office
WEEK OF JANUARY
Crime Watch Voices NYC Now City Arts
3 8 10 12
Restaurant Ratings 14 Business 16 Real Estate 17 15 Minutes 21
2019
are looking to revise the law, according the New York Post. The updated law would allow judges to consider whether a defendant poses a threat to the community when decid-
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Eastsider INSIDE
AT LAST
just For East Side residents, major having access is a accomplishment. p.5
IS VISION ZERO WORKING? SAFETY
has seen a surge Five years in, NYC and uctuating in cyclist deaths – and motorist numbers of pedestrian fatalities BY EMILY HIGGINBOTHAM
year that saw 299 In 2014, after a traffic-related incipeople killed in Mayor Bill de Bladents in the city, eliminate all traffic sio set out to
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6
WOODSTOCK SOJOURN an NYPD judge recommend at City Hall after Photography Office holds a press conference Appleton/Mayoral Mayor Bill de Blasio 2019. Photo: Michael Friday, August 2,
firing Officer Daniel
Pantaleo on
THE BILLY AND GILLY SHOW
Kamala HarWarren, Cory Booker, and Bernie debates,” longris, Amy Klobuchar for the September Pete strategist George Sanders, South Bend Mayor time Democratic doesn’t have former Texas Rep. Artz says. “De Blasioare way down Buttigieg and both Beto O’Rourke. the donors, and close, but none of A few others are in the polls.” Hank Sheinde Blasio or GilliPolitical consultant that either them are named kopf says it’s “50-50” “Any- brand. returned reBY STUART MARQUES will make the next round: Neither campaign but they’re not quests for comment. thing can happen, agree that Warde Blasio faced to qualify.” Pundits generally When Mayor Bill held off the more Gillibrand – likely a minimum of Candidates need to ren and Sanderson the first night. off with Sen. Kirsten Democratic presi- 130,000 unique donors and have moderate field and eight other in four qualigot high marks on – on July 31, it Booker and Yang and hit at least 2 percent dential hopefuls the last Billy candidates have the second night, but Biden a might have marked presidential fying polls. Eight the polls. and are assured at the are still ahead in hit those marks and Gilly Show largely igon Sept. 12 Harris Gillibrand Houston and in De Blasio debates. ei- spot onstage Presiawful tough for are former Vice 18 “It’s going to be and and 13. They Senators Elizabeth CONTINUED ON PAGE get the donors dent Joe Biden, ther of them to needed to qualify polling numbers”
POLITICS
dim for Presidential prospects Democratic New Yorkers on the debate stage
C i e Watch
Jewish women and girls light up the world by lighting the Shabbat candles every Friday evening 18 minutes before sunset. Friday, January 10 – 4:30 pm. For more information visit www.chabbaduppereastside.com.
‘MY HANDS ARE OUTSTRETCHED’ P. 19
f d h e s, p gs ng st ts alng ish ass eel
SUTTON PARK,
chair of the City Ydanis Rodriguez, committee, Council’s transportation street s afety on speaks at a rally for steps of City Hall legislation on the McCarten/NYC May 8. Photo: John Council
A new soup kitchen opens. p. 8
3
14 Restaurant Ratings 16
day Jon Friedman on a 8 love and music. p.
of peace,
SURVIVNG YOUR SUMMER COLD
seasonal How to deal with thefeel worse virus that makes usp. 2 than a winter bug.
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