Investigating America’s Largest Police ForceProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive as soon as they’re published.This story is co-published with THE CITY.ProPublica is working with , / and to report on how allegations of misconduct by law enforcement officers in New York are investigated and to examine and analyze police disciplinary records that have recently been made public.Cops in an unmarked van allegedly stop a driver and invasively search him in the middle of a Staten Island street.Officers, guns drawn, ransack a Brooklyn apartment —...…Investigating America’s Largest Police ForceProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive as soon as they’re published.This story is co-published with THE CITY.ProPublica is working with , / and to report on how allegations of misconduct by law enforcement officers in New York are investigated and to examine and analyze police disciplinary records that have recently been made public.Cops in an unmarked van allegedly stop a driver and invasively search him in the middle of a Staten Island street.Officers, guns drawn, ransack a Brooklyn apartment —...WW…

SHAREMore than 560,000 New Yorkers 75 and older became eligible Monday for COVID-19 vaccinations — but  senior citizen advocates are concerned logistical hurdles could keep many from getting the shots.  Some seniors are “terrified” — afraid or unable to leave their homes, unsure how they’ll get to vaccination centers and daunted by signing up online for an appointment, said Allison Nickerson, executive director of . Elderly people living in low-income neighborhoods face additional barriers, advocates say.“It’s a big challenge,” added Nickerson, whose nonprofit is an umbrella...…SHAREMore than 560,000 New Yorkers 75 and older became eligible Monday for COVID-19 vaccinations — but  senior citizen advocates are concerned logistical hurdles could keep many from getting the shots.  Some seniors are “terrified” — afraid or unable to leave their homes, unsure how they’ll get to vaccination centers and daunted by signing up online for an appointment, said Allison Nickerson, executive director of . Elderly people living in low-income neighborhoods face additional barriers, advocates say.“It’s a big challenge,” added Nickerson, whose nonprofit is an umbrella...WW…

SHAREThe city’s Board of Elections is looking for a company to provide software for the new ranked-choice voting system amid calls from some officials to delay the ballot changeup beyond this year’s crucial mayoral election. The board issued a Nov. 16 to find a firm with the digital know-how to tabulate votes after New Yorkers rank candidates in order of preference on their ballots. Interested companies must respond by Monday.The deadline comes less than two months before the new system is scheduled to be used in a special election for a Queens City Council seat — and follows...…SHAREThe city’s Board of Elections is looking for a company to provide software for the new ranked-choice voting system amid calls from some officials to delay the ballot changeup beyond this year’s crucial mayoral election. The board issued a Nov. 16 to find a firm with the digital know-how to tabulate votes after New Yorkers rank candidates in order of preference on their ballots. Interested companies must respond by Monday.The deadline comes less than two months before the new system is scheduled to be used in a special election for a Queens City Council seat — and follows...WW…

SHAREOne New Yorker uses the free WiFi in front of libraries to research music. Another watches movies on Netflix as she charges her computer, while a man videochats with a friend on his laptop. Across the city, people without internet service at home or with limited service on their phones huddle in front of or near some of the city’s 207 branches for access at all hours. Government officials have long struggled to offer WiFi to an estimated who can’t afford private plans for a mobile hookup or home broadband. In February, the de Blasio administration announced an “” to expand...…SHAREOne New Yorker uses the free WiFi in front of libraries to research music. Another watches movies on Netflix as she charges her computer, while a man videochats with a friend on his laptop. Across the city, people without internet service at home or with limited service on their phones huddle in front of or near some of the city’s 207 branches for access at all hours. Government officials have long struggled to offer WiFi to an estimated who can’t afford private plans for a mobile hookup or home broadband. In February, the de Blasio administration announced an “” to expand...WW…

SHARESHARESteven Cabrera’s dream of opening a restaurant got the official green light from the city in March, a week before all eateries were shut down, save for take-out and delivery, due to the coronavirus crisis.  “I don’t think anybody decides to open up a restaurant during a pandemic,” said Cabrera, 30, owner of Km1 (Kilometro Uno) in the East Village. “It was either lose my initial investment or keep working it, so I decided to keep working it.”All told, more than 500 new restaurants have applied for permits to open since March, according to the city Health...…SHARESHARESteven Cabrera’s dream of opening a restaurant got the official green light from the city in March, a week before all eateries were shut down, save for take-out and delivery, due to the coronavirus crisis.  “I don’t think anybody decides to open up a restaurant during a pandemic,” said Cabrera, 30, owner of Km1 (Kilometro Uno) in the East Village. “It was either lose my initial investment or keep working it, so I decided to keep working it.”All told, more than 500 new restaurants have applied for permits to open since March, according to the city Health...WW…

SHAREAs calls to “defund the police” hit a fever pitch last month, the city’s Urban Park Rangers — unarmed peace officers who focus on education — suffered a far greater workforce cut than the NYPD. The de Blasio administration decided against bringing back 50 of the city’s 95 park rangers after their year-long stints ended on June 30.  The belt-tightening move is expected to save an estimated $10 million in the city’s $88.2 billion spending plan for the fiscal year that began July 1, according to budget officials.“You couldn’t even call it a rounding error,” said former...…SHAREAs calls to “defund the police” hit a fever pitch last month, the city’s Urban Park Rangers — unarmed peace officers who focus on education — suffered a far greater workforce cut than the NYPD. The de Blasio administration decided against bringing back 50 of the city’s 95 park rangers after their year-long stints ended on June 30.  The belt-tightening move is expected to save an estimated $10 million in the city’s $88.2 billion spending plan for the fiscal year that began July 1, according to budget officials.“You couldn’t even call it a rounding error,” said former...WW…