🌱 Top NYPD Chief Abused Power: Watchdog + Marriage Officiant Licenses

Good morning, New York City!

I'm back with the latest headlines from around the boroughs:

• An NYPD chief overstepped his authority, a watchdog finds.
• SUNY colleges will no longer require SAT or ACT standardized tests.
• Ever want to officiate a friend's marriage? now might be your chance!

But first, today's weather:

A couple of morning showers. High: 70 Low: 50.

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

1. The NYPD's highest-ranking uniformed officer overstepped his authority when he interfered in a former colleague's 2021 arrest when he was accused of menacing teenagers in Brooklyn, the city's Civilian Complaint Review Board has determined. (AMNY)
2. The State University of New York (SUNY) will no longer require incoming students to submit ACT or SAT test scores, extending a policy that had been previously implemented temporarily during the pandemic. Fewer and fewer New York graduates are taking the test, according to College Board data. (New York Daily News)
3. A Republican-led Congressional committee plans on holding a hearing today in New York City focused on Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's handling of crime. Over the weekend, New York Senator Chuck Schumer called on Republican lawmakers to denounce calls from Donald Trump to take funding away from the FBI and Department of Justice. (Gothamist)
4. Just 327 people accounted for approximately one third of shoplifting arrests in the city last year, according to police statistics. They have reportedly been arrested and rearrested more than 6,000 times. While the rate of many violent crimes continues to drop, petty thefts are still high. (subscription/The New York Times)
5. The tenants of dozens of rent-stabilized buildings in Upper Manhattan say they want a voice in their apartments' future. Many of their apartments, which are owned by a hedge fund, were financed by loans from the collapsed Signature Bank. While the hedge fund is attempting to transfer ownership to a local nonprofit, tenants–who have for a long time been advocating for repairs–say they want an opportunity to purchase. (Gothamist)

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 citygreat. Photos of cherry blossoms or blooming spring flowers are extra appreciated!

Today in New York City:

• Kindergarten Admissions Virtual Fair - Parents League (9 a.m.)
• V.E. Schwab celebrates THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE at Barnes & Noble Union Square (7 p.m.)
• Greenwich Village Comedy Club Presents All Star Stand Up Comedy (7:30 p.m.)
• Big Smooth: A Comedy Variety Show (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The average rent in New York City surged in March to a record-setting $4,175 per month in Manhattan and around $3,300 in Brooklyn and Queens, a new study found. (New York City Patch)
• A lucky buyer in Ozone Park, Queens scored an estimated $476 million with a winning Mega Millions lottery ticket. (Queens Courier)
• The 25th annual Tartan Day Parade marched through Manhattan on Saturday to celebrate Scotland. (New York Daily News)
• Did you know that starting this month you can get a one-day license to perform a marriage in New York? There's just a little bit of bureaucracy involved. (THE CITY)

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That's it for today. I'll see you soon!

— Dashiell Allen

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