Latest news with #Queens-based
New York Post
23-07-2025
- Automotive
- New York Post
500 NYC cabs will use cameras to fight fraud ‘cartels' that stage phony accidents, ditch fares
A new pilot program will equip 500 New York City cabs with vehicle surveillance cameras in a new effort to combat the 'cartel' behind a $1 billion insurance fraud scam targeting taxis. 'Operation Bright Eyes' puts eyes inside Big Apple cabs to snuff out ride-and-run scammers and insurance fraudsters who fake accidents to cash in on potentially lucrative payouts. 'We have cartels that have built their fortune on our industry,' Fernando Mateo, a spokesman for the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers, told The Post this week. 'These cartels fabricate car accidents to the tune of 70% of every car accident for livery and black cars are fraudulent. Advertisement 3 Livery driver and taxi advocates said insurance fraud schemes cost the industry about $1 billion every year. Christopher Sadowski 'They're fabricated. And these cartels are comprised of lawyers, doctors, physical therapists, and of course those that are making these accidents happen. They are making billions of dollars on us.' The project, a partnership with dashcam company Displayride, American Transit Insurance and Queens-based NYAB Brokerage, will equip the 500 cabs in less than 30 days — with a goal of eventually having 100,000 taxis wired for video, organizers said. Advertisement Abdul Kasim, CEO of Displayride, said the gear typically costs about $250, but drivers in the program will get wired up free of charge for the first year or so — and said the installation is a breeze. 'You just plug it in, it turns on,' Kasim said. 'It takes about 30 seconds to actually install, self-install. So that's not a question that you get. I think the question they ask is, How do I access the data and all that. 3 'Operation Bright Eyes' will install surveillance cameras in 500 Big Apple taxis and livery vehicles in the next 30 days. photobyphotoboy – 'But that's again, they just need to press a button on the device. It connects,' he added. 'There's no apps to download.' Advertisement Under the program, a camera is installed inside the car, with lenses facing the front and the back of the vehicle, capturing both the traffic outside and the customers inside. Taxi federation president Steven Rivera called the program 'a declaration of war' against fraudsters. For taxi drivers in the five boroughs, it's a much welcomed gizmo. 'Sometimes, a lot of passengers, they want to insult you,' said driver Francisco Jorge, a Bronx resident. 'Also, we have accidents with cars that they push the brake hard and then you hit them to the back because they want to make a fraud accident where they can get some money from you. Advertisement 3 Big Apple cab drivers said scammers slam on the breaks to get rear-ended by their vehicles, then claim damages. Christopher Sadowski 'So, having a desk camera is very important, because it's going to be recording everything around you – the front, the back – around you,' he said. Another Bronx driver, Eltayeb Mohamed, said one pal had to dole out $24,000 in one insurance scam. 'The lady backed up and said, 'I'm OK, are you OK? OK, you can leave,'' Mohamed said. 'My friend left and then she called the police and say he hit and run.'
New York Post
16-07-2025
- Climate
- New York Post
Quirky NYC art project finds subway stations with ‘feels like' temps well above 100 degrees: ‘It's unbearable'
This quirky campaign is heating up. A Queens-based artist and software developer is shedding light on the subway system — with a project showing temperatures regularly surpass 100 degrees at popular train stops across the city. Advertisement @ Dangerously hot in NYC subway stations #mta #nyc @MTA ♬ sonido original – New York Lab Jack Klein of the TikTok account New York Lab has recorded 'feels like' temperatures at New York City subway stations above 130 degrees Fahrenheit, including the 6th Avenue/14th Street L train station last week. Jack Klein has been sharing his shocking findings with hundreds of thousands of viewers on TikTok as he treks underground with a thermometer to log 'feels like' temps, which hit a scorching high of 120 degrees at Union Square's during the recent heatwave. 'It's a very kind of visceral, shared experience among people living in New York — but it seems to be sort of under-reported and brushed off,' Klein told The Post of why he started his viral account, New York Lab, last August. Advertisement 'But in reality, it's like a public health issue that I think could be handled better.' Klein, 30, said he spent nearly a thousand dollars on several Kestrel Drop 2 sensors to record heat index, temperature and relative humidity at subway stations after a brutal summer commute from Ridgewood to Hell's Kitchen last year. 5 From June 4 to June 8, one 181st Street station elevator's 'feels like' temperature was at 90 degrees or above more than 90% of the time, Klein said. TikTok/@ 'There's no concrete data set about heat within train stations, and how heat travels [there],' he noted. Advertisement But through his social media project, Klein has been able to show just how much New Yorkers are slow-cooking underground. During June's heatwave, he logged the 120-degree 'feels like' high at Union Square, while Herald Square notched 112 degrees, and the mercury hit 111 degrees at the Dekalb Avenue L station. 5 While end goal is to be determined, Klein's independent New York Lab hopes the current project will inspire advocacy, art or simply start a conversation about climate change effects. Michael Nagle He recorded 'feels like' temps of above 130 degrees in front of an idling train at the 6th Avenue/14th Street L train station — even as the weather cooled off above ground last week. Advertisement The Ohio native has also hidden smaller sensors around eight train stations – including one elevator in a 'notoriously hot area' – since May to collect long-term data. 'Some of the hottest places in New York City might actually be the underground elevators that our most vulnerable populations use to get in and out of train stations,' he said. 'I'm thinking about disabled people, or pregnant women or elderly people who are susceptible to heat exposure, that are being forced to take this elevator.' 5 'Some of the hottest places in New York City might actually be the underground elevators that our most vulnerable populations use to get in and out of train stations,' Klein said. Stephen Yang While the end goal of the endeavour is to be determined, he hopes the project will inspire advocacy, art or simply start a conversation. But while social media users in the comments section appear shocked at the 100-plus readings, some New Yorkers seemed less surprised. 'During the day, especially in a heatwave, this place is an oven: It's unbearable,' Markus Achen, 39, of Flatiron, said of the Union Square station. 5 Some New Yorkers have to get creative to beat the heat underground. LP Media 'Some days it gets so bad that I'll splurge on an Uber because I can't take the thought of standing on that platform and waiting for the train,' said Adanna Okafor, 26, of Crown Heights, whose regular station is Crown Heights-Utica Avenue. Advertisement Another straphanger was more hard-boiled about the heat. 'To me, all the subway stations are equally hot in the summer – they're just hot, hellhole hot. But it's a part of living here,' said David White, 42, of Harlem, whose regular station is the 135th St 2 and 3 line. 5 Jack Klein 30, from Ridgewood, Queens has launched a quirky art project to find the hottest subway stations. TikTok/@ 'It's like a rite of passage that you just have to live with.' Advertisement Subterranean subway stations are oftentimes much hotter than their above-ground counterparts, according to Probable Futures, a climate literacy nonprofit that is helping Klein analyze his findings. Reasons include underground infrastructure built with heat-trapping materials, lack of air flow and vegetation, human body heat and idling trains expelling hot air into a 'concrete box underground,' according to the group. Alison Smart, executive director of Probable Futures, said Klein's project should serve as a wake-up call for New Yorkers, noting heat on the subway will likely only continue to increase due to climate change. 'The subway system needs to be prepared for multiple months of very high temperatures,' she said, noting the hellishly hot platforms could cause both human health problems and destroy the aging system's infrastructure — leading to even longer wait times underground. Advertisement 'The NYC subway system was designed for certain temperatures and certain weather conditions,' Smart said. 'Everything in civilization that we have built was designed and specified for a past climate, and that climate doesn't exist anymore.' Some New Yorkers said it's on the MTA to fix the problem. 'It's like an oven,' Talia Muro, 28, of Midtown East said of the Herald Square stop. 'I would think it's an easy enough problem to fix to get some airflow, but maybe it's a money issue — I know the MTA is always complaining it never has enough money.' Advertisement The MTA noted in its Climate Resilience Roadmap released in 2024 that it has improved air circulation on passenger platforms, and even started using white reflective paint to lower rail temperatures. But the roadmap also outlined a $6 billion budget of future investments 'that will be needed to address climate change in the coming years.' 'The MTA will be looking to future capital programs to provide the funding to make the system resilient to heat and other climate threats,' the agency said at the time.
Fox Sports
19-06-2025
- Business
- Fox Sports
Top 10 Richest Team Purchases: Lakers Sell for Record $10 billion
The family-owned Los Angeles Lakers are about to be sold at a valuation of $10 billion, smashing the previous record for the purchase price for a team sport. The cross-country rival Boston Celtics went for $6.1 billion just three months ago. With team values soaring, there have been a number of notable franchise transactions in recent years: Los Angeles Lakers The Lakers have been in the Buss family since 1979, but Jeanie Buss has agreed to sell the NBA's most valuable franchise to L.A. Dodgers owner Mark Walter. Boston Celtics The Celtics, who won their record 18th NBA championship last year, went for $6.1 billion in March to private equity mogul Bill Chisholm. Washington Commanders Josh Harris, who with David Blitzer owns the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers and NHL's New Jersey Devils, added to his sports portfolio in 2023 by purchasing the Commanders for a then-record $6.05 billion. Chelsea The English Premier League team went to a consortium fronted by Dodgers part owner Todd Boehly that also includes Walter in 2022 for $3.2 billion. Another $2.2 billion was pledged for infrastructure and associated teams. Denver Broncos The Walton-Penner ownership group led by Walmart heir Rob Walton bought the NFL team in 2022 for $4.65 billion. Phoenix Suns Mortgage executive Mat Ishbia purchased the team for a then-NBA record $4 billion in 2022. Dallas Mavericks Mark Cuban sold the NBA franchise in 2023 for $3.5 billion to the Adelson family, which owns the Las Vegas Sands casino company. Charlotte Hornets Michael Jordan agreed to sell his majority share in the NBA's Hornets in 2023 for $3 billion to Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin. Schnall had a minority ownership in the NBA's Atlanta Hawks and Plotkin in the Hornets. New York Mets Steve Cohen completed one of the richest purchases of an MLB team in recent memory, acquiring the Mets for $2.4 billion in 2020. It marked a monumental shift for the Queens-based New York franchise as they had been under the control of the disgraced Wilpon family. Brooklyn Nets Joe Tsai purchased the Brooklyn Nets for approximately $2.5 billion in 2019. He paid a total of $3 billion, but that included acquiring the Barclays Center in the deal. He bought the team from previous owner Mikhail Prokorov. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
New York Post
19-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
NYC, comptroller frontrunner backed by MAGA supporter after he campaigns that he will ‘take on Donald Trump'
City comptroller frontrunner Mark Levine cozied up to a Big Apple MAGA supporter and election denier while locking down the Jewish bloc — after the Democrat campaigned that he would 'take on Donald Trump.' Incumbent Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine recently accepted the endorsement of Victoria Zirkiev, a self-proclaimed Trump supporter, and touted the backing in a photo on his Instagram while meeting with a Jewish Charity last week. 'Today our community welcomed @marklevinenyc the Manhattan Boro President who is running for NYC Comptroller. It's important to vote for the right mayor but it's also important to elect the right people for the other positions in NY,' she said, issuing her endorsement. Mark Levine received the backing from Victoria Zirkiev last week. Advertisement Levine's pal has posted many times in support of the current president, including selfies in a Trump 2024 hat, and wrote, in a since-deleted story, Zirkiev suggested the 2020 election was stolen, according to the Times of Israel. 'Can you guess who I voted for? Only TRUMP!' reads one of Zirkiev's posts. Zirkiev serves as the president of the women's division of Queens-based nonprofit, Chazaq. Advertisement The campaign brushed off the endorsement as simply a photo from the campaign trail, taken with leaders of a group that receives some of its funding from the City Council. 'This is absurd – Mark Levine has been standing up to Trump for over a decade and as Comptroller will be New York's firewall against his fascism,' said campaign manager Matt Rubin. 'Suggesting anything more is campaign non-sense and insulting to Jewish communities across the city that are facing real challenges and threats.' Levine's camp has since removed the photo from his Instagram. The group distanced itself from the public support, telling The Post, 'The Chazaq organisation does not endorse anyone.' Advertisement Zirkiev could not be reached for comment. The photo emerged in the final days of the comptroller race for the Democratic nomination, while one of the main issues has been how the next fiscal watchdog will deal with President Trump, who has vowed to target all sanctuary cities. 'As comptroller, I will take on Donald Trump,' Levine promised during a debate in May. In February, Big Apple officials were left stunned when $80 million in federal funds was siphoned out of city accounts by DOGE, following tweets from Elon Musk that the money was used to house migrants in luxury hotels. Advertisement President Trump backed up his then-ally Musk, condemning the city's use of federal dollars. 'This is a massive fraud that's taking place,' Trump said at the time. Brad Lander, the current city comptroller and candidate for mayor, called the stunt a 'highway robbery' and demanded that Mayor Eric Adams get the money back, but it was never returned. Levine has a hefty lead over his opponent, current councilman and finance chair Justin Brannan (D-Brooklyn), who is term limited. Levine was polled at 44% compared to Brannan's 14% in a Honan Strategy Group poll released on June 11, which had the undecided votes just over one third. Brannan's internal poll had him trailing Levine by 11 percentage points with 44% of voters still undecided with the primary set to be held on June 24. Brannan, who also claims he'll go toe-to-toe with Trump to defend the City's coffers, also has some loose ties to the MAGA world. The super PAC, New Yorkers for Accountablitly, backing his run is run by lobbyist Patricia Lynch and former Republican Assembly candidate Dmitriy Kugel, who has openly supported Trump. Advertisement 'What we need right now is a fighter and not a letter writer,' Brannan said at a debate on June 10.
Time Out
18-06-2025
- Time Out
This New York airport was ranked the most expensive airport in the whole country
LaGuardia has come a long way from being dubbed the 'third-world airport' of New York. Thanks to a multi-billion-dollar makeover that wrapped earlier this year, the Queens-based travel hub now boasts state-of-the-art terminals, sleek lounges and even a Delta Sky Club that feels more five-star hotel than departure hall. But all that shiny newness comes at a steep cost—and not just to the Port Authority's budget. According to a new report by ranking the most and least affordable airports in North America, LaGuardia Airport is now officially the most expensive airport on the continent. Researchers tallied the average cost of a one-night hotel stay, overnight parking and a single pint of pre-flight beer, and LaGuardia topped the list with a whopping $381.41 tab. So, where's your money going? Nearby hotel rates average a staggering $332 per night, which is $167 more than the national airport average. Overnight parking will set you back another $37. And if you're hoping to calm your travel nerves with a drink, expect to pay $12.41 for a brewski, second only to Cancun International's record-setting $14.92. Rounding out the top three were Denver International Airport, with a total cost of $351.41 and Boston Logan at $335.91. Meanwhile, Tijuana International Airport in Mexico claimed the crown for affordability with an all-in cost of just $105.08, thanks to budget-friendly hotel and parking rates and beers under $8. With airfares already up 25-percent—the steepest increase since 1989—these hidden pre-flight expenses are catching more travelers off guard. And while LaGuardia's new amenities may dazzle, they're clearly not doing your wallet any favors.
