🌱 NYPD Could Get Pay Boost In New Contract + 'Corpse Flower' Photos

Good morning, New York City!

• The NYPD's union has reached a tentative deal with the city.
• Portions of Rockaway Beach will be closed again this summer.
• See the massive "corpse flower" in all its glory.

But first, today's weather: A shower and thunderstorm. High: 77 Low: 49.

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Here are the top five stories in New York City today:

1. Rookie cops would earn about $12,000 more per year than their current base salary under a tentative deal reached between City Hall and the Police Benevolent Association, the city's largest police union. The deal was announced the same week Mayor Eric Adams directed most city agencies to cut their budgets by 4 percent next year. (New York City Patch)
   • Meanwhile, advocates and local politicians gathered outside of City Hall on Wednesday to protest what they called a "bloated" police budget. (New York City Patch)
2. More than $1 billion in unpaid parking and speeding tickets is owed to New York City from between 2017 and 2022, a letter from the Independent Budget Office delivered to a city councilmember found, although the office's director believes that might be an undercount. (AMNY)
3. Similar to last summer, portions of Rockaway Beach will be closed in the upcoming season as construction on the Army Corps of Engineers' plan to repair areas damaged by flooding and erosion enters its fourth year. (Gothamist)
4. The future of outdoor dining is still up in the air with legislation introduced last February still stuck in the City Council. The bill, which Mayor Eric Adams supports, would allow dining on the streets and sidewalks from April through November and just on the sidewalks for the winter months. Meanwhile, tensions are growing between naysayers — who say dining "sheds" are an eyesore and attract rats — and supporters. (AMNY)
5. A thunderstorm expected to reach the city today is postponing the Mets' first home game of the season against the Miami Marlins. The baseball match was rescheduled for Friday, along with the Yankees' away match with the Baltimore Orioles. (New York Daily News)

New York City pic of the day:

Remember to submit a photo from your neighborhood to newyorkcity@patch.com for a chance to be featured! We love skylines, bodega cats, coffee shops, streetscapes, parks and everything else that makes this city great. Photos of cherry blossoms or blooming spring flowers are extra appreciated!

Today in New York City:

• Celebrate ‘National Cornbread Day’ With Lodge Cast Iron On April 6 With Free Cornbread — Rockefeller Center (1 p.m.)
• Salsa Thursdays at Time Out Market New York (6 p.m.)
• Person Place Thing with Randy Cohen feat. Sreoshy Banerjea — Van Alen Institute (6:30 p.m.)
• Live Music Thursdays Presents: Ray & Nicole Greiche (7 p.m.)
• Dionne Ford + Maud Newton: Go Back and Get It (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Here's the streets across the five boroughs that are going car-free this Earth Day, April 22. (Time Out)
• The Department of Education has extended the deadline to fill out its annual survey for teachers, students, parents and school staffers until April 20. Last year it had a 53 percent participation rate. (Chalkbeat New York)
• Patch was at the New York Botanical Gardens on Tuesday evening to witness the rare "corpse flower" during its roughly 24-hour bloom. See the photo above. (New York City Patch)
• Republican former Mayor Rudy Giuliani's cousin, also named Rudy Giuliani, is holding a fundraiser for Democratic Mayor Eric Adams. (City & State NY)
• The staff of the Hispanic Society Museum & Library in Washington Heights are on strike, just one month before the museum was set to reopen for the first time since 2017. (Washington Heights-Inwood Patch)

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Featured events:

• Japanese Traditional KOTO Concert (April 6)
• Good Friday Service of Prayer, Music, and Meditation (April 7)
• Bach Vesper’s Presents J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion Part II (April 7)
• The Super Crazy Funtime Show (An interactive comedy game show) (April 7)
• NYC Friday Night Yacht Party Cruise Skyport Marina Jewel Yacht 2023 (April 7)
• Death in New York Walking Tour (April 8)
• The Psychiatric History of New York Walking Tour (April 8)
• Easter Vigil at Holy Trinity Lutheran (April 8)
• NYC HipHop vs Reggae® Saturday Night Cruise Skyport Marina Jewel Yacht 2023 (April 8)
• Easter Sunday Mass at Holy Trinity (April 9)
• Hell Gate Walking Tour (April 9)
• Bach Vespers Presents J.S. Bach's Easter Oratorio (April 9)
• Parents League Presents: Chasing Childhood, A Film Screening (April 11)
• New York Open House (April 12)
• We Have Fun: Special Album Release Show (April 12)
• Collector's Jewelry, Fine Artwork, Coins, Porcelain and More | Online Auction (April 13)
• The Psychiatric History of New York Walking Tour (April 27)
• "Mexican Street Taco" Cooking Class (April 30)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with another update!

— Dashiell Allen

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming New York City Patch newsletter? Contact me at patchnyc@patch.com