Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Streetsblog

Wednesday’s Headlines: De Blasio Cowardice Edition

Mayor de Blasio declined to use those pens to sign a chokehold bill yesterday.

how we covered the monahan story

One day after we reported (pictured) on how top NYPD brass defied their boss-on-paper, Mayor de Blasio, by opposing a Council-approved chokehold bill he supports, the mayor on Tuesday did the opposite of what a strong manager is supposed to do — instead of telling his subordinates where they could stuff their complaints, he capitulated and declined to sign the bill.

The Daily News suggested that de Blasio's delay was pro forma, but it enraged plenty of people. Council Member Rory Lancman, who authored the chokehold bill, called for the mayor to fire Police Commissioner Dermot Shea (Queens Post), but de Blasio said he definitely would not be doing that (NY Post).

In case the mayor needed another reason to sack Shea, one was provided by the Placard Abuse Twitter account, which caught Shea retweeting a bit of specious NYPD propaganda.

Not a good look to be praising spontaneous police supporters who turn out to be placard perps.

In other news:

    • More annoying video ad screens are coming to the subway. (NYDN)
    • Welcome to the MTA's open windows theory. (NY Post)
    • The Wall Street Journal did its version of the "New Yorkers are rushing to buy cars" story.
    • Remember how excited Mayor de Blasio was to sign Council Speaker Corey Johnson's "Streets Master Plan" bill? Yeah, well, its 2022 implementation will be delayed so the DOT can save all of $1.3 million (NY Post). In October, Hizzoner had told Errol Louis that he was excited to "do all the groundwork to get ready to ramp up to that much higher level."
    • State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Danny Harris think SUVs should have a warning label on them. (NYDN)

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Hit-and-Run Driver Kills Pedestrian on Bedford Av. Hours Before Long-Stalled Safety Redesign Begins

The driver was traveling so quickly that the victim was tossed high in the air before landing back on the car hood and being tossed to the side of the road as the killer drove off.

October 11, 2024

Manhattanites To DOT: Open Queensboro Bridge Pedestrian Path ‘Without Delay’

"It’s really inappropriate for the DOT to delay," said one member of Manhattan Community Board 6.

October 11, 2024

Council Seeks to Force DOT to Build 175 E-Bike Charging Hubs 

A new bill would force the DOT to build over 100 charging hubs, but will it be enough to keep up with demand?

October 11, 2024

Friday Video: A Vision for West 72nd Street

Maybe someday, a roadway that devotes 88 percent of its space to a tiny minority of users (drivers) could finally work for everyone. We can dream, can't we?

October 11, 2024

Friday’s Headlines: Yes, We Will Mention the Yankees Edition

We are praying for the first Subway Series since 2000. Plus other news.

October 11, 2024
See all posts