Around Brooklyn: Death of nurse beaten by patient ruled a homicide

March 25, 2020 Editorial Staff

Shell Bank Creek in Gerritsen Beach. Photo: Lore Croghan/Brooklyn Eagle

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Death of nurse beaten by patient ruled a homicide

The death of a Queens nurse who was badly beaten by a patient at Brookdale Hospital six years ago has been ruled a homicide, according to amNewYork. On Feb. 7, 2014, officers responded to a 911 call about an assault at the hospital. When they arrived, they found Kwincii Jones being detained by hospital staff. Police say the victim, nurse Evelyn Lynch, was removing a catheter from Jones when he knocked her to the floor and beat her unconscious. Jones was charged with attempted murder. Lynch died of her injuries on Nov. 10, 2019, and on March 24 the NYPD announced that the incident is being investigated as a homicide.

Bike shops in Brooklyn fill a current need

Bicycles are a necessity for thousands of Brooklyn residents deemed essential workers, and for this reason, Gov. Andrew Cuomo designated bike repair shops as essential businesses along with auto repair shops. Bklyner recently spotlighted seven bike repair shops around Brooklyn. They include Ride Brooklyn near Barclays Center, Dixon’s Bicycle Shop on Union Street in Park Slope; King Cog on Grand Street in Williamsburg, Sun and Air on Driggs Avenue in Williamsburg, Roy’s Sheepshead Cycle on Coney Island Avenue in Sheepshead Bay, Verrazano Bicycle Shop on Fifth Avenue in Bay Ridge, Larry’s Cycle Shop in Flatlands and I&M 2 Bicycle Sale and Repair in Flatlands. All of these stores are taking measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus: for example, in most of their employees wear plastic or rubber gloves. In many of these stores, only two or three people are allowed in at a time.

Pharmacists present plan to help in crisis

The Pharmacists Society of the State of New York has come up with a six-point plan for empowering pharmacists, according to the Brooklyn Reporter website. They include authorizing pharmacists to perform tests for COVID-19, giving pharmacists the authority to administer vaccinations for COVID-19 as soon as they are approved, giving pharmacists the option to refill 30-day prescriptions for chronically ill patients, dropping restrictions on delivery of medications, giving pharmacists permission to compound commercially available medicines during shortages, and reform of pharmacy benefit managers.

Permits filed for 6-story building in Williamsburg

Permits have been filed for a six-story mixed-use building at 661 Driggs Ave. in Williamsburg, according to New York YIMBY. The site, located between Metropolitan Avenue and Fillmore Street, is a short walk to the L train’s Bedford Avenue station. The owner is listed as Idan Shitrit of Investmates, while Bogue Trondowski Architect PLLC is listed as the architect of record. The building will have 10 units, most likely condos, as well as a restaurant on the first floor. The lot where the building will be constructed is currently vacant.

Extell continues construction for Brooklyn Point

Extell Development is continuing construction on its Brooklyn Point mixed-use development in Downtown Brooklyn, according to the Commercial Observer. However, it has halted construction on its $4 billion supertall tower known as Central Park Tower. While all non-essential construction has been ordered closed since Sunday, several construction sites have stayed open. Extell has also closed its sales and leasing offices for most of its projects, the Commercial Observer reported.

Brooklyn nurse hailed as hero

Elizabeth Douglas, an ICU nurse manager at NYU Langone Hospital of Brooklyn, has been hailed as a hero during the coronavirus pandemic. Since the crisis began, the mother of two has been on her feet up to 13 hours a day, according to the New York Post. She tends to patients when there are not enough nurses, makes sure her team has proactive equipment and ensures that exhausted workers are taking breaks. On Monday, Douglas had 26 ICE patients, the Post reported.

Amazon eyes Fairway supermarkets

Amazon is looking at buying several supermarkets currently owned by Fairway, including the popular Red Hook store, according to the New York Post. The tech giant is bidding on the Brooklyn store and three others in an auction that kicked off Monday and will continue into Thursday. Although the COVID-19 virus has been devastating to the economy in general, it has proven a boon for Amazon’s online ordering business as people stay at home. The Red Hook store boasts views of the Statue of Liberty.

Trains delayed when operator says he has COVID-19

The C train was temporarily taken out of service Monday morning after an operator on the line told the MTA that he was positive for COVID-19, according to amNewYork. C-train service was back by Monday afternoon. “Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety of our workforce, the MTA sent a number of workers home from the crew facility to consult with our in-house office of occupational health,” MTA Chief Communications Officer Abbey Collins said. Subway ridership is in dire condition, as the coronavirus has led to an 83 percent drop in use, according to amNewYork.

Playgrounds are open, but are they safe?

Mayor Bill de Blasio says he wants to keep playgrounds open, even as he puts forward plans to reduce the crowd density of outdoor space, according to Bklyner. Some towns in New York State and New Jersey, however, are indeed closing playgrounds. A National Institute of Health study found that coronavirus can survive for two to three days on plastic and stainless steel. NYPD and Parks Enforcement officers will monitor parks and playgrounds to make sure people are practicing social distancing, according to a press release from de Blasio.

Community gardens closed to the public

Community gardens must close to the public as part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s “PAUSE” order aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19, according to Gothamist. In an email sent to gardeners on Sunday, GreenThumb, the Parks Department’s community garden program, said gardens must close to the general public and should only be open for members doing necessary maintenance. Parks Department spokesperson Dan Kastanis said, “Most GreenThumb gardens have a small footprint that makes it difficult to achieve safe social distancing,” Other gardens, however, are not affiliated with GreenThumb and are administered by housing developments.

‘Renter’s choice’ aims to keep renters in homes

Local officials are urging greater protection for New York City tenants as the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread citywide. Brooklyn and Manhattan Borough Presidents Eric Adams and Gale Brewer recently joined City Councilmember Robert Cornegy Jr. to introduce a plan to help New Yorkers pay rent for April. Called the Renter’s Choice plan, it would require landlords to offer each renter the option of applying their security deposit toward next month’s rent. “This is money that’s been tied up that landlords and tenants can’t touch,” said Ankur Jain, CEO of Kairos.

Asia Week still held, under the radar

Asia Week 2020 was supposed to take place between March 12 and 19 in New York museums and galleries, according to Antiques and Heart. Still, many art dealers were using digital means to exhibit and sell to clients. Before businesses were totally shut down, many galleries had short-lived exhibits. Most of Asia Week focused on contemporary Asian art. One Brooklyn gallery, Boccara, was able to hold an exhibit in mid-March.

Liquor, wine stores are doing a booming business

The coronavirus crisis is proving to be a boom time for New York City liquor stores, according to New York Eater. For example, the owner of Astor Wines and Spirits told NY1 that the store is busier now than it has been in the 50 years since its opening. Restaurants, bars and liquor stores have been deemed essential and can stay open as long as they like, as long as they concentrate on delivery and takeout only.

Colton serves community with stay-at-home staff

Assemblymember William Colton (D-Gravesend-Bensonhurst-Bath Beach) reminds constituents that although his district office at 155 Kings Highway is closed, his staffers and himself will work from home and continue to provide help and service. “Calls to 718 236-1598 are being transferred to an answering service, which is being continuously monitored so staff can return those calls and respond as soon as possible,” he said in a statement. “I will be praying for you and for a swift end to this difficult time,” he added.

Compiled by Raanan Geberer.