JUSTICE NEVER SLEEPS: NYC NIGHT COURT SCENE

WALKING TO COURT

It’s almost a quarter past 8:00PM in the Financial District. Oversized architecture, elaborate monuments and little movement—inspiring a feeling of desolation and abandonment. The street lights illuminate no more than a few passersby, walking slowly and quietly along the bare streets.  There is but one building that contradicts the overall sentiments of a neighborhood ready to call it a night.  Right around the corner on 100 Center Street there lies a business that leaves its doors open for the public overnight, a destination that cannot be missed.  A ceremonial and sophisticated façade stands tall juts out with an authoritative stance, a seemingly endless structure that offers an entrance into the world of New York City’s night court.

AN INSIDE LOOK AT NIGHT COURT

Men and women of all ages sit with their cell phones in hand, some consult with attorneys seeking explanations, others with babies and children napping across laps.  Upon entering one of the two Arraignment Courts, the air of mischief and malice is matched only by a routine sense of organization and lawful authority. Like clockwork and in true New York fashion, cases are read in a fast-paced and orderly manner. Without focus, it’s difficult to keep up with the court proceedings.

The judge perched up above the rest, sits only beneath one thing–valiant, gold printed letters reading, “In God We Trust”.  On the right stand, two DA’s, both young men who attentively read the alleged charges for arrest.

RECESS

The night is still young in court, the officer steps forward with an announcement, “At this time the court will take recess until 10:15PM.”

BLOOMBERG & THE FUTURE OF NYC HOUSING

With over a 75-million-dollar difference in campaign financing topping the list of disparities, there were not many points that unified former NYC mayoral candidates. But beneath the millions expended and the bludgeoning smear ads, there was a common thread that tied third term incumbent Mayor Bloomberg and Comptroller Bill Thompson together. An issue that remains a prevalent concern for the future of New York City , especially during these hard economic times: the public housing sector.

A building that constitutes ‘public housing’ is built, operated, and owned by the city, providing nominal rent fees for those financially challenged or destitute. These housing programs are maintained and expanded through annual funding that is allocated by the Mayor and his administration—namely, NYCHA (New York City Housing Association).

There is roughly $2.7B to budget this fiscal year, including $770M reserved for Section 8 Housing alone, while 33% or $817M of which is from the Federal Stimulus Package.

“Typically about 50-60% is coming from the Feds towards housing stock, so this year it’s really low, a result of 8 years of a Republican administration in the White House,” says Cliff Diaz, veteran Director of the Public Sector Housing Practice and former Finance Budget Advisor for the Mayor’s Office.

Bloomberg dodged campaigning on an interview-style radio show altogether. “I have a talking relationship with Mayor Bloomberg, but right before elections he didn’t come to talk on the show because he didn’t want to take the risk,” says Brian Lehrer of WNYC Public Radio 93.9 FM/ AM 820.

Though not discussed in depth, the topic remains a priority on the Bloomberg agenda. The reverberations of Thompson’s campaign ideas are reflective in Bloomberg’s actions and contributions during the past two terms. “There was no specific proposal in Bloomberg’s manifesto on housing which was a concern,” says Diaz. “But, he always has very sharp appointees. For one, Shaun Donovan formerly worked under Bloomberg before President Obama.”

Appointed directly by the Mayor, Donovan worked for four years as HPD (Housing Preservation Department) Commissioner, developing the NYC Acquisition fund, which combined public and private funds to provide incentive for developers to include more affordable housing in their buildings.

Bloomberg and Donovan worked closely together on such projects and developed a camaraderie, so much so that Bloomberg is quoted in the Dec 14th issue of the NY Daily News as having said, “I think Donovan walks on water…the Obama administration is very lucky to have him.” Donovan has been working as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development since 2008.

Over the past few years, many new public housing projects have surfaced, most of which have remained out of the public eye and mainstream localized or national media.  With the financially inept population of tenants on the rise, companies such as SMART have been established to improve the entire application process for public housing vouchers and section-8 eligibility. These firms have facilitated a shift from manual systems to automated forms that can be submitted and processed electronically.

“A lot of it is streamlining, we are able to pump people through the system quicker now and allow the index staff to work more effectively,” says Cliff Diaz.

If the past serves as any indication of the future, Bloomberg’s public housing policies will remain at the forefront of his administrative duties. There will certainly be the demand. He and his appointees will have a full plate this upcoming term: leveraging the stimulus funds, sifting through budget issues, organizing money to rehabilitate the aging infrastructure and revamping a dilapidated housing stock.

“You have to give credit, where credit is due. The man is doing a good job,” says Ishmael Randall, President of Fortune Hunter Realty in Harlem .

HALLOWEEN PARADE IN THE WEST VILLAGE, A FIRST FOR ME!

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