State to probe Adams’ Bronx birthday bar, volunteers step up to aid migrants, mayor and Council clash on police bill

Dear New Yorkers,

The State Liquor Authority says it will open an investigation into Con Sofrito — a popular restaurant and bar in The Bronx owned by a brother of the New York City police commissioner — following THE CITY’s reporting on fire safety and building code violations there.

According to SLA’s records, Con Sofrito is owned by Richard Caban, brother of NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, who is frequently seen at the establishment. The restaurant has long been patronized by a long list of top cops and politicians — including Mayor Eric Adams, who celebrated his birthday there in September.

An investigation published last week by THE CITY disclosed multiple code violations in a 500-square-foot party shed that Con Sofrito erected in its parking lot, adjacent to the restaurant.

In a lawsuit filed to evict the eatery, the landlord of the property has called the shed “an imminent threat to both petitioner and the public.”

On Tuesday officials at the SLA, which licenses drinking establishments, confirmed that in response to THE CITY’s report, the agency will open a case based on the code and safety violations at the restaurant.

Read more about Con Sofrito here.

Weather scoop by New York Metro Weather

Wednesday’s Weather Rating: 2/10. Another dreary day with periods of showers. Warmer, with high temperatures in the upper 40s. There may be some brief peeks of sunshine during the afternoon, but rain chances return shortly afterwards. The vibes are damp…again.

Pulling Out the Stops in Battle Over Policing Bill

City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and other members joined faith leaders at City Hall on Tuesday to dispel what they called “myths” being spread about legislation Mayor Eric Adams vetoed last week. 

But Mother Nature helped fuel a bit of drama during the event.

The “How Many Stops” bill would require the NYPD to track more interactions with the public and share the stats in quarterly reports. Opponents argue it will bog down cops with additional paperwork over minor conversations.

More than two-thirds of the 51-member Council approved the bill last year, and Speaker Adams contends “expanding transparency” is a valid goal of the law. The Council can vote to override the veto over the next few weeks. 

The rally was briefly overshadowed by a tug-of-war over seats. After the event moved inside due to rain, the mayor’s deputy chief of staff tried to remove chairs with reporters still sitting on them in the City Hall rotunda. Then building staffers didn’t turn on the spotlights, leaving the Council’s press conference partially in the dark.

“The Council respects the role of a free press and the right to freedom of speech and doesn’t need to try censoring those simply telling the truth,” a spokesperson for the speaker said.

— Katie Honan

New York Added Just 32,000 Union Members in 2023

In a notable year for labor that included high-profile strikes and union victories in agriculture, nonprofits and retail, New York added just 32,000 union members in 2023, according to data released by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics on Tuesday.

Nationally, the number of private sector union members increased by 191,000 while the rate of union membership in the sector remained relatively unchanged at 6% — suggesting that unionization efforts could not keep up with job growth. New York is home to 1.7 million union members, behind only California, and is one of two states with union membership rates at 20% or higher.

That the historic high in favorable public attitudes toward unions, particularly among young people, hasn’t translated into increased membership numbers is a “testament to how easy it is for employers to exploit our weak and outdated labor laws to stop union organizing,” Heidi Shierholz, president of the Economic Policy Institute, wrote on X. 

— Claudia Irizarry Aponte

Here’s what’s going on around the city this week.

THE KICKER: The Brooklyn Public Library and Lincoln Center have put out a call for people from all ages and backgrounds to submit new additions to the canon of American anthems. Called the “Anthem to Us” project, it aims to produce songs that represent “the experiences, realities, hopes and dreams of a new generation,” and the final three winners will be performed at both venues.

Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Wednesday.

Love,

THE CITY

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