The New York Times' City Room blog March 27 notes the ruckus raised by NYC's tabloids upon hearing that the Port Authority has dropped the name "Freedom Tower" for the monstrosity going up at Ground Zero in favor of the more prosaic "World Trade Center 1" (NY Post front-page hed: FREE DUMB TOWER). Noted City Room:

From WPIX-NY, Jan. 22:

Child Killed in Chinatown After Van Jumps Curb
One child is dead and at least four or five others have been injured after a catering van belonging to China Chalet jumped the curb in Chinatown striking the children.

From Times Up!, Dec. 16:

NYPD Police Officer Patrick Pogan, who was caught on video aggressively knocking cyclist Christopher Long off his bicycle during the July 25, 2008 Critical Mass bicycle ride, has been indicted on five charges, including Falsifying Business Records and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, both Class E felonies, and Assault in the Third Degree, a Class A misdemeanor. The felony charges stem from the false arrest report and criminal court complaint that Police Officer Hogan allegedly filed about the incident. Officer Pogan's aggressive behavior and subsequent falsification of official documents are not isolated events in NYPD's dealings with cyclists.

The New York Police Department has beefed up security at the city's subway and train stations after federal authorities warned of a possible suicide bombing over the Thanksgiving holiday. "Transit passengers in larger metropolitan areas like New York may see an increased security presence in the coming days," Homeland Security Department spokesman Russ Knocke said. "The increased personnel could include uniformed and plainclothes "behavior detection" officers, federal air marshals, canine teams, and security inspectors."

Via NYC Indymedia, Aug. 19:

August 19, 2008, New York – A group of 52 local activists today announced a $2 million settlement in their lawsuit against the City of New York. The activists were illegally arrested on April 7, 2003 while protesting against the Iraq war in front of a military contractor's offices in midtown. The settlement in Kunstler et al v. New York City follows the dismissal in 2003 of all criminal charges brought against these individuals and four costly years of delays by the City in negotiating an end to the civil lawsuit.

A glimmer of hope that this has, at least, sparked an outcry—thanks to a tourist with a video-camera, and YouTube. From the New York Times, July 29:

Officer Investigated in Toppling of Cyclist
A New York City police officer was stripped of his gun and badge on Monday after an amateur video surfaced on the Internet showing him pushing a bicyclist to the ground in Times Square during a group ride on Friday evening.

From the WCBS-NY, June 23:

Truck Hits Bus; Bus Crashes Into Bank
One person is dead and four people are injured after an out-of-control dump truck coming off the Manhattan Bridge slammed into a waiting bus that was loading people for a trip to Boston.

The Rev. Al Sharpton joined New York City's monthly Critical Mass bike ride May 30 in another protest over the Sean Bell verdict. "Whether you're fat or skinny, gay or straight, we are all Sean Bell. We are all riding for justice," he told the Union Square crowd to enthusiastic applause. Standing beside Sharpton were Bell's fiancée, Nicole Paultre Bell; his father William, and civil rights attorney Norman Siegel. Sharpton then jumped on a bike and headed west on 14th St., followed by a swarm of fellow riders, NYPD and paparazzi. Bell's father drew laughter, quipping, "Justice is nice, but I just wanted to see Rev. Al ride a bike." (Daily News, May 31) Photos online at Gothamist.