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Police: Subway sexual harassment the top quality of life concern
The feeling of an unwanted touch on a crowded subway is all too common.
At least twice a day, straphangers — mostly women — are groped or rubbed in the trains, and the crime likely occurs far more often than authorities know, police said Thursday as they painted the most complete picture in recent years of sexual harassment in the subways.
“It’s the number one quality of life offense in the subway,” NYPD Transit Bureau chief James Hall said at a City Council hearing. “This should not be part of commuting in New York City.”
Reports of sexual abuse, forcible touch and lewdness increased 4 percent between 2008 and 2009, with nearly 600 complaints filed so far this year. Undoubtedly, police said, many more instances go unreported.
Hall’s report to the City Council was the first time police released sexual harassment statistics in recent memory. No bus data was discussed.
“A lot of women don’t come forward. It’s a really big deal,” said Tara Rose, 24, who recently saw a man take a photo of her friend’s crotch on a train.
Of those arrested, nearly one fifth committed a prior sex offense and 14 of them were registered sex offenders, meaning they previously committed crimes like rape. Some perpetrators just “loop” between Grand Central, Union Square and 59th Street hunting for victims, Hall said.
“There are people who do this everyday at the same time on the same subway line. It’s a serious issue,” said Councilwoman Jessica Lappin, (D-Manhattan), who is introducing a bill requiring the NYPD report train harassment incidents, as other U.S. transit systems do.
Most victims are adult women, authorities said. In a typical scenario, a perpetrator in an empty train exposes himself, Hall said. Grabbing and rubbing in crowded subways are the most common occurrences.
While reports of harassment increased between 2008 and 2009, the number of arrests actually fell by six percent.
Part of the problem, advocates said, is that officers don’t take the crimes seriously.
“Law enforcement is not properly trained to deal with these instances,” said Oraia Reid, 32, who was grabbed by a man as she left the West 4th Street subway station last August. When she told an officer, the cop shirked it off, Reid said.
Hall said he would be “extremely disturbed” to learn about any officer who shrugged off a report of sexual harassment. Police expect to make more arrests during the holiday season, when trains are crowded.
Since 2006, police have sent undercover officers to nab sexual offenders several times a months. The crackdowns have resulted in more than 1,200 arrests, Hall said.
Underground harassment by the numbers
8 to 10 a.m., 4 to 7 p.m.: Weekday times when harassment occurs most frequently64: Percent of 2009 complaints that took place in Manhattan
74: Percent of incidences happening inside the trains rather than in stations
39: Average age of those arrested for sexual harassment
Source: NYPD
What to do if you are harassed:
- Snap a photo of the perpetrator, as police have used these for making arrests.
- Tell the nearest transit worker or police officer. If the incident is reported quickly, the train can be stopped to conduct a search.
- If time has passed, call 911 or the NYPD's hotline, (212) 267-RAPE.
Source: NYPDTags: mta, transit, sexual harassment
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New York City's retail real estate shows signs of life
Manhattan’s top retail corridors are holding fast on high rents, and brokers are reporting that deal making has been picking up, especially for pop-up stores.
There’s no doubt the city is still in a retail rut, with shuttered storefronts and rents down in most places, but there are signs of life, industry observers said.
Fifth Avenue, SoHo and the Meatpacking District are still coveted areas where asking rents are rising, according to the Real Estate Board of New York’s fall 2009 retail report, released Wednesday.
Elsewhere prices are dropping, such as on Madison Avenue, where the median asking rent was down 23 percent from last year to $875 a square foot, according to the report. By contrast, high-end Fifth Avenue asking rents were up 68 percent to $2,100.
“Areas that are still high profile, high traffic and still trendy seem to be holding their value,” said Michael Slattery, REBNY’s senior vice president.
REBNY’s report shows a different picture than the latest report from CB Richard Ellis, which has Fifth Avenue rents holding stronger than most, but still down and nowhere near $2,100 a square foot. Both reports show a tale of two Fifth avenues, with rents way down between 42nd and 49th streets, a stretch that is lined with closed stores.
Despite the differences in the industry reports, they both indicate parts of the city are bouncing back. A flurry of activity from pop-up stores has helped.
“It seems to be a phenomenon,” Slattery said. “[A pop-up store] serves two purposes: It occupies space that wouldn’t have been occupied and gives the retailer an opportunity to see if it’s a space that works for them.”
Names as diverse as Brooklyn Flea, Wired and Bailey’s liquor are dipping their toes in Manhattan retail for the holidays.
The test for some pop-ups is if they sign on to longer leases, which Faith Hope Consolo, chairwoman of retail leasing and sales at Prudential Douglas Elliman, said she is seeing more often.
Another gauge of the market is Madison Avenue, where brokers are noting a reawakening driven by the lower rents. Consolo said she knows of at least seven deals between 57th and 72nd streets in November alone.
“There is no question we are on a retail rebound. Since the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth quarter it’s been off to the races,” she said.
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H&H bagel bigwig in 'hole' lotta tax trouble
The founder of the famed H&H Bagels franchise burned the state by withholding more than $40,000 in taxes, law enforcement officials said yesterday.
Helmer Toro, the 59-year-old owner of the Manhattan-based bagel empire, yesterday pleaded not guilty to grand larceny and other charges, said Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau.
The bagel bigwig allegedly stole nearly $370,000 in unemployment taxes — dough he had skimmed from about 100 employees’ paychecks, prosecutors said. He allegedly also pocketed $33,000 by manipulating the tax rate structure.
The 37-year-old H&H has been featured in TV’s “Seinfeld,” “Friends” and “Sex and the City” and the 1998 movie “You’ve Got Mail.”
As one of the world’s largest bagel manufacturers, H&H also is mentioned in countless food guides and on best-of lists.
Toro – born in Puerto Rico and raised in the Bronx – surrendered his passport and was released on his own recognizance, according to the District Attorney’s office. Bail arrangements are expected to be formalized next month.
Toro is accused of filing taxes using six other company names, including West Side Storage Inc., all with H&H’s West 46th Street flagship address, said DA spokeswoman Alicia Maxey Greene. The practice allowed him to maintain a lower unemployment insurance tax rate.
If convicted, Toro may bake in prison for up to 15 years and pay more than $1 million in penalties.
H&H’s Upper West Side location was still open for business yesterday. An employee there refused comment. Toro and his lawyer could not be reached for comment.
(With AP)
Tags: H&H, bagels, tax fraud charges, District Attorney Robert Morganthau
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Staten Island mob bust includes city sanitation boss
A top dog at the city’s sanitation department and 21 other suspects were busted in Staten Island mob raids yesterday, exposing a Gambino-linked kickback scheme, among other crimes, authorities said.
Frederick Grimaldi, 44, the sanitation deputy chief, is charged with passing information on department contract bids to his father-in-law, allegedly part of the Gambino crime family, in exchange for kickbacks, authorities said. He was suspended without pay.
A state court officer was also arrested, charged with serving as an intermediary between bettors and a bookmaker. The raids dismantled two gambling rings.
The probe began after members of the Luchese crime family tried to bribe police officers with $250,000, the NYPD said.
That led to five indictments and two separate investigations headed by state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s Organized Crime Task Force and the NYPD.
Tags: NYPD, mob, Gambino crime family, Staten Island
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High seas hottie Johnny Depp is People's 'Sexiest'
Johnny Depp, People's "Sexiest Man Alive," attends a Museum of Modern Art event on Tuesday. (Photo: AP)
He’s one pirate we wouldn’t mind walking the plank for.
Johnny Depp — best known as Jack Sparrow in “Pirates of the Caribbean” — was named People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” on Wednesday for the second time.
“Johnny definitely has proven that he has staying power,” said Julie Jordan, special correspondent for People, who praised Depp’s depth beyond his bad boy persona.
“He’s evolved into such a family man. He’s a painter. He’s a photographer. He’s a phenomenal actor,” she said.
The 46-year-old father of two inherited the “Sexiest” title from Hugh Jackman. The high seas hottie is a rare two-time winner; he was also the “Sexiest” in 2003. Only Brad Pitt and George Clooney share the double honor.
“Truthfully, how many men out there can play Willy Wonka, Jack Sparrow and the Mad Hatter … and still exude sex appeal?” asked Jordan.
Others on People’s 2009 list include soccer stud David Beckham; Mariah Carey’s husband Nick Cannon; actor Robert Downey Jr.; and “Twilight” heartthrob Robert Pattinson.
Tags: People magazine, Johnny Depp, Twilight, Sexiest Man Alive
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Tough economy might cut into holiday tipping
New Yorkers may be spreading the holiday cheer a little thinner this year, as high unemployment and tighter checkbooks are expected to put the reins on the annual tipping season.“There will be people who give less, some people who will give nothing,” said Tony Rosario, 65, who has been a doorman at the same East Side co-op for 40 years and who normally gets about $20 to $30 per resident.
Rosario’s fears, as well as thousands of others who rely on seasonal tips, are well founded, according to a poll conducted by Consumer Reports. The survey, published in this month’s issue, found that 26 percent of Americans plan to tip less this year, while only 6 percent will give more.
The cutbacks began last holiday season, when a similar poll showed people reduced tips across the board, in some cases by half.
“It’s part of a general trend of people feeling they’re not out of the woods financially,” said Tobie Stanger, the editor who oversaw the report.
In New York — which most experts say is the tipping capital of the world — dozens of service providers, from doormen and hair stylists to nannies and dog walkers, rely on annual gratuities.
“It’s a service-oriented town,” said Ehren Shewchuk, 28, of Brooklyn, who plans to give her super between $100 and $200. “If you’re going to go out and get a service you expect to give a tip — it’s an associated cost.”
Patricia Fitzpatrick, head of the Etiquette School of New York, advises clients that if cuts have to be made, it’s gifts for friends and family that should go first, since service providers can earn 10 percent of their annual income through the year-end bonuses.
“They come before everyone and you should budget for it,” she said.
Fitzpatrick said those who provide specialty services, like manicurists and personal trainers, may see less because business is down in general.That rings true for Lana Bargraser, who owns Allure spa in midtown. “We used to have male clients who came in once a week and now it’s every two to four weeks,” she said.
Some New Yorkers say doling out cash just isn’t an option this holiday season.“My dry cleaners are getting cookies this year,” said Jaimie Sadowksy, 29, of Manhattan.
Chris James contributed to this story.
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Eat, drink and give thanks
While obsessing about our Thanksgiving meals, we often forget the true purpose of the holiday: to give back.
Next week, why not get into the spirit of the season by supporting a restaurant or supermarket that helps the city and its people?
Note that many restaurants have limited hours on Thanksgiving, so be sure to call ahead.
Restaurants giving back on Thanksgiving
Casimir
103 Ave. B, 212-358-9683
www.casimirrestaurant.com
This East Village bistro is packing a fixed number of Thanksgiving meals in to-go containers and handing them out to the homeless. For Thanksgiving Day, they’ll offer a limited menu selection or three-course prix-fixe for $19.95.Crudo
235 W. 35th St., 212-695-9001
This Caribbean spot is offering complimentary appetizers on Thanksgiving to guests that donate to youth development organization Harlem RBI. A full menu is available on Thanksgiving.Emporio
231 Mott St., 212-966-1234
The Italian restaurant will donate five percent of their Thanksgiving proceeds to Bowery Mission. A Thanksgiving four-course prix-fixe is $45.The Oak Room at the Plaza
10 Central Park South, 212-758-7777
Will donate a portion of their sales on Thanksgiving to the Central Park Conservancy. The prix-fixe Thanksgiving dinner menu is $95.Stores that give back
Whole Foods Markets
All Whole Foods Manhattan stores work with local charities, but its Bowery store has donated so much food to the Bowery Mission that they’ve received a Good Neighbor Award. This year, the Bowery store is donating hundreds of pounds of stuffing, cranberry sauce, pies and apple cider. The market is also donating 500 apples and giving a 10 percent discount to the Redeemer Presbyterian Church’s annual pie bake at the Bowery Mission. Some of the pies will be sold to raise money for the AIDS Orphans Support Trust group in Africa.Brooklyn Fare
200 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn, 718-243-0050
Brooklyn Fare will be donating food such as turkeys and stuffing to homeless shelters such as the Salvation Army on Thanksgiving.Stuffed Artisan Cannoli 176 Stanton St., 212-995-2266
Buy anything in the bakery’s signature pink flavors, and the proceeds will go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the foundation dedicated to breast cancer research. Pick up traditional pumpkin pie and apple pie cannoli for Thanksgiving and buy a pink cannoli as goodwill.FreshDirect
A $50 donation on FreshDirect’s site will translate into a holiday meal for eight. The program is done through a partnership with the Robin Hood Foundation, and the goal is to feed 120,000 hungry New Yorkers. Robin Hood supplies more than 1,000 pantries and soup kitchens. This Friday, FreshDirect will make its first drop to the Association to Benefit Children.Year-round do-gooders
Aldea (31 W. 17th St.) does at least one charity event every calendar quarter. This year they have participated in City Harvest, Share Our Strength and Autism Speaks.Bar Breton (254 Fifth Ave.) has earmarked five percent of its annual profits to a different charity each year. For 2009, it's Citymeals-on-Wheels.
Landmarc (179 W. Broadway; Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle) donates food to City Harvest once a month and is also involved with the REST initiative, a nonprofit organization bringing massage therapy to chemotherapy patients started by Landmarc chef Marc Murphy's wife, Pamela Schein Murphy.
Rosa Mexicano (1063 First Ave.; 61 Columbus Ave.; 9 E. 18th St.) participates in in City Harvest Bid Against Hunger and Summer in the City campaigns.
Trattoria Cinque (363 Greenwich St.) donates regularly to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Virgil’s Barbeque (152 W. 44th St.) gives to Broadway Cares and City Harvest.
Tags: Thanksgiving, giving back
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Q and A with Helah Kehati of MARK
In a city that’s crazy about burgers, there seems to be an endless appetite for new burger joints. We spoke with Helah Kehati, operating manager of one of the newest —MARK on St. Marks Place.
Your menu is pretty limited — just regular or bacon sliders, fries, shakes and pies. Why did you choose to keep it so simple?
There are a couple of reason behind it, the space we were working with is a small space, doesn’t promote a large menu. We have one grill and three friers, that’s about it.What are your thoughts about the neighborhood?
We wanted to bring some variety. There’s a lot of ramen-noodle place and sushi places. Also, it’s near NYU, so price is right.What was the vision behind the place?
New Yorkers in general are kind of obsessed with finding great burgers. We’re hoping our quality is just as good as these more expensive places. But we’re a bit more down and dirty. We’re hoping to appeal to a crowd that can appreciate that it’s good food.Our chef, Erik Rubin, came from working with Bobby Flay. He’s a total meat guy. We wanted to be a really great snack place for before or after bars. We want to extend the hours until 4.
What goes into the sliders?
The sliders are made from a custom beef blend that’s ground in-house.The bacon slider has chunks of cured and smoked pork belly ground into the meat.
Both the beef and bacon sliders come with American chese and fried onions.
We also serve our own homemade sauces — a jalapeno hot sauce and chipotle ketchup, and barbeque sauces.
33 St. Marks Pl., between Second and Third Aves (212-677-3132)
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Murdoch apologizes to gov for blind comment
Media mogul Rupert Murdoch apologized Wednesday to Gov. David Paterson for saying the governor “doesn't know what's going on” because of his blindness, administration officials said.Murdoch, a billionaire whose News Corp. owns Fox News, the Wall Street Journal and many other holdings, made his remarks during a panel discussion of CEOs on Tuesday.
Speaking of the New York state government, the Australian-born Murdoch said: “The Senate, the state Assembly, totally incompetent, with a governor, who's a very nice and honest man . . . who's blind, who can't read Braille and doesn't really know what's going.”
Paterson, who is legally blind due to a childhood infection, does not read Braille and memorizes his speeches.Following an uproar over the comments, which were posted online Wednesday, a contrite Murdoch called Paterson to offer his mea culpa.
Advocates for the blind were quick to blast Murdoch, saying he was repeating outmoded ideas about people with visual impairments.
“It's a shame when someone who is prominent says something like this, which is based upon ignorance,” said Carl Augusto, president of the American Federation for the Blind.
A spokeswoman for News Corp. would say only that Murdoch called Paterson and the two had “a cordial conversation.”
Carl Jacobsen, head of the National Federation for the Blind of New York, said that when Paterson was young, children with partial sight were often told not to learn Braille. He called Murdoch's comments prejudice.
“If he wants to take issue with the governor's politics, that's his right as an Australian, but he should not denigrate an entire class of people,” Jacobsen said. “I just think Mr. Murdoch should think twice before he has to issue another apology.”
