Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Bill de Blasio

Tuesday’s Headlines: An Ugly Day for New York Edition

12:05 AM EST on November 12, 2019

Cops busting a churro vendor at a Brooklyn subway station in 2019. Riders Alliance wants subway security to focus on major crimes and not minor offenses. Photo: Rafael Martinez

What an ugly day it was yesterday: The mayor defended the police mistreatment of a woman who became a national news story after she was detained for the crime of selling churros in the subway — and as the mayor was speaking, another churro vendor was being cuffed in Bushwick.

Streetsblog covered the pathetic events in this new "Churro Crackdown" — which come against the backdrop of Gov. Cuomo wanting to hire 500 unaccountable cops to patrol the subways (frankly, only rats root out rogue churros).

Other media joined with coverage, including Guse at the Newsuh going all "Les Miserables" on us, plus BuzzFeed News, the Wall Street Journal, amNY, the NY Post, and even the Times.

Later, the Twitter account of the NYPD's transit bureau took exception with Streetsblog's description of the day's events as ugly (Editor's note: We stand by our story):

Those were, indeed, the facts, but facts can be ugly, too.

And the ugly day ended with a cyclist being seriously injured by a hit-and-run driver on a murderstrip about which bike riders have long complained to DOT. Ugh.

Here's the rest of the day's news:

    • This is why you shouldn't yell "Fire!" in a crowded moviehouse — or "I have a gun!" on a crowded subway. (NYDN)
    • Our editor's trick ankle thinks it'll be too warm to snow today, but the Post is predicting the white stuff.
    • The MTA has ended the free ride for some Access-a-Ride customers (NYDN) — and is hitting up the city for a lot more money (NY Post)
    • Oh, and by the way, cops are firing their guns more. Great — now we need bullet-proof churros. (WSJ)
    • The CEO of Uber said something idiotic about Saudi Arabia and the murder of Jamal Khashoggi (Axios, with a must-watch video), prompting a social media campaign to delete Uber (Fast Company).
    • And, finally, Jalopnik published the greatest story about the worst Greyhound bus route: From Midtown to Brooklyn!

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Police Brass Gets Booed During E-Vehicle Safety Alliance Meeting for Applauding Deliveristas

Attendees of the E-Vehicle Safety Alliance's latest meeting castigated a Transportation Bureau deputy inspector for saying that delivery workers are responsive to safety issues.

September 28, 2023

Thursday’s Headlines: Unsafe School Streets Edition

A school crossing guard was injured by a drunk driver on Tuesday. Plus more news.

September 28, 2023

EYES ON THE STREET: Drivers Dominate Former W. 22nd Open Street

Meh. The barriers are gone and the cars are back on W. 22nd, but some spaces for people remain.

September 28, 2023

‘Not Grieving Alone’: A Father’s Artistic Journey After Losing Two Kids to Road Violence

Colin Campbell and his wife Gail Lerner lost both their children in a car crash with impaired driver. Now, it's a show.

September 28, 2023

Opinion: Bring Back ‘Give Respect/Get Respect’ Campaign

If cyclists don't throw their own bad apples under the bus, we won't get safer streets, argues this West Side advocate.

September 27, 2023
See all posts