Around Brooklyn: NYPD video shows knife fight

September 16, 2020 Editorial Staff

A view from Sunset Park. Photo: Lore Croghan/Brooklyn Eagle

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NYPD video shows knife fight

A video released by the NYPD on Tuesday shows a knife-wielding man stabbing another man in the side. The attacker, who is wearing a red shirt, can be seen knifing the 22-year-old victim in the ribs around 5 p.m., Sept. 2 in front of 874 42nd St. in Sunset Park. After the victim was stabbed, he attempted to flee, but a third man chased him while waving a gun. The victim then turned around and charged the gun-wielding man, knocking him to the group and stabbing him in the neck. Both were taken to Maimonides Medical Center, where the man who was stabbed in the neck died and the man who was stabbed in the wrist underwent surgery, according to the New York Post.

Brooklyn RE office market is slow

In the second quarter of this year, Brooklyn commercial landlords only leased 155,000 square feet, nearly an 80 percent drop from last quarter. Things aren’t looking much better in the third quarter. “We’ve seen a lull in office leasing activity in Brooklyn as a whole,” Sarah Bouzarouata, a research analyst at JLL, said. The deals that are continuing are the usual suspects for Kings County: education, government, healthcare and nonprofits. Among them are the state Department of Taxation and Finance leasing space at 15 MetroTech Center, Goodwill re-signing its space at 25 Elm Place and more, according to the Commercial Observer.

Pols seek to pass Business Interruption Insurance Bill

State Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-Bay Ridge-Dyker Heights-Bensonhurst-Gravesend-Manhattan Beach) and Assemblymember Robert Carroll (D-Park Slope-Windsor Terrace-Kensington) recently called for the urgent passage of the Business Interruption Insurance Bill in the wake of the news that Century 21 has declared bankruptcy and will close its retail stores. The legislation mandates that insurance companies honor business interruption insurance claims during the COVID-19 state of emergency in New York. “If a pandemic does not constitute a legitimate business interruption, what does? It’s time for insurance companies to stop turning their backs on businesses in their moment of need,” said Gounardes.

Myrie gives Rosh Hashanah greetings

State Sen. Zellnor Myrie (D-Crown Heights-East Flatbush-Park Slope-Prospect Heights-Prospect Lefferts Gardens) recently wished his Jewish constituents a Shana Tovah and other updates. “Many in our community will be celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, at the end of this week. This year’s celebrations may look and feel different, but I wish everyone observing a happy, healthy 5781. Shana Tovah,” he said.

Weiner resurfaces as head of countertop co.

Former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner is now the chief executive of a Brooklyn-based countertop company. In an email, Weiner said that the company, IceStone, offers “an unlimited array of different colors we can use in our recycled glass creations.” He added that “we get calls every day from customers who want a little color in their kitchen, man cave or restaurant/bar.” When asked by the New York Times to comment on former Vice President Joe Biden’s campaign, he declined, saying he no longer follows politics closely.

Williams opposes Industry City rezoning

In testimony earlier this week before the New York City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams opposed the Industry City rezoning application. Williams said, “For far too long, rezonings have not taken into consideration the views of communities of more color. Developers push through projects despite local community members’ opposition and concerns.” He pointed to the need to pass his legislation mandating a racial impact study of any potential rezoning. The promised 20,000 jobs from the proposal, he said, may not benefit the local community.

Brooklyn-bound capacity expanded in Battery Tunnel

The restoration of a third Brooklyn-bound lane in the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel (also known as the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel) during the evening rush hour is expected to shorten trips for Brooklyn and Staten Island express bus riders. On Monday, the MTA announced that it would resume operating three Brooklyn-bound lanes using both tubes of the tunnel between 4:30 and 7 p.m. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the MTA had temporarily suspended two-way operation in the tunnel’s West Tube, reducing the number of Brooklyn-bound travel lanes during the evening rush hour. “We appreciate the ongoing partnership with our Bridges and Tunnels colleagues as we continually strive to improve commutes for our Brooklyn and Staten Island Express bus customers,” said Craig Cipriano, president of MTA Bus Company.

New graphic novel: “The Witches of Brooklyn”

In “The Witches of Brooklyn,” a new graphic novel by Sophie Escabasse, 11-year-old Effie is dropped off on the doorstep of her step-aunt Selimene’s house in Ditmas Park. Soon, Selimene and her housemate Carlota, both witches, decide to make Effie an apprentice. Selimene and Carlota at first don’t reveal themselves as witches – they describe themselves as “herbalists.” The house also has a secret witchcraft room.

Exec admits skimming from program to help Brooklyn kids

The head of a South Beach, Staten Island-based technology company is being fined more than $133,000 and could spend up to 33 months behind bars after admitting that he stole from a federal program that serves disadvantaged students in Brooklyn Catholic schools. John Comito pleaded guilty Monday in Brooklyn Federal Court to wire fraud. He admitted to ripping off the E-Rate program by submitting phony invoices for services he never provided. The E-Rate program distributes money to schools and libraries serving impoverished kids to buy telecommunications services, Internet access and related equipment, according to the Staten Island Advance.

Burlington donates $500,000 to social service org

SCO Family of Service, a social service provider, received $500,000 in clothing from Burlington Stores (formerly known as the Burlington Coat Factory) to distribute to families in Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island. A total of 35,000 items were shipped to shelters, foster care programs and family support programs. Twelve tractor trailers were loaded with merchandise ranging from household goods to clothing and bedding. “We are extremely thankful to Burlington Stores for making such a generous donation of goods that will benefit so many of the children and families we serve,” said Keith Little, president and CEO of SCO Family of Services. In Brooklyn, two sites received relief: Father’s Program and United for Brownsville.

Affordable housing lottery at Clinton Hill building

An affordable housing lottery is now open for 810 Fulton St., a 12-story development in Clinton Hill. The new development, built by Rose Associates, has 37 affordable studios, one-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom apartments for people with incomes from $81,258 to $159,640. The building, which was completed last year, has a total of 363 rental apartments and is alternatively known as 475 Clermont Ave. It is two blocks from the Clinton-Washington Avenue subway station of the A and C line and 15 minutes from Atlantic Terminal and Barclays Center, according to New York YIMBY.

Cops seek man who toppled Virgin Mary statue

Police are trying to identify a man who toppled a state of the Virgin Mary in Coney Island last week. The suspect was caught on camera last Friday outside the Shrine of Our Lady of Solace. The video shows the man talking to another person. He climbs a fence, knocks the statue off its base, then throws it down. The man then fled west on Mermaid Avenue. The suspects is a white or Hispanic man with a beard who wore a black shirt with the word “Brooklyn” on it, according to Eyewitness News.

School closed after COVID-19 cases

A school in Ditmas Park has been closed temporarily by the city after two staff members tested positive for COVID-19. P.S. 139 in Ditmas Park has had two cases within the first week, the Department of Education said. The first case was reported Sept. 11, and the second was reported on Tuesday. An investigation is now underway, and close contacts are being quarantined, according to Gothamist.

Compiled by Raanan Geberer.