On Dec. 15, nearly a thousand people attended a candle light vigil for Barnard College freshman Tessa Majors stabbed to death in Morningside Park Dec. 11, sparking city-wide outrage about crime in the park and city. Murder rates in the city as of Dec. 29, hit 311 exceeding last year’s total of 290. (Photo by Todd Maisel)
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The year in pictures was both joyous and tragic. There were more murders than last year, more bicyclists killed and more pedestrians struck despite Vision Zero initiatives.
But there were moments of hope and gladness that seemed to shine through in the toughest of times.
Here is a review of 2019 in pictures, as this editor photographed them.
January
On January 7, Firefighter Steven Pollard of Ladder 170 fell off the Mill Basin Bridge on the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn as he went to render aid in a car crash and was killed in the 52 foot fall. (Photo by Todd Maisel)On January 8, Northern Blvd closed due to street collapse from construction site. The street was completely undermined until crews could come in and sure up the collapse zone. (Photo by Todd Maisel)On January 31, Entertainer Cardi B showed at Queens Supreme Court – always a fashion statement even at a hearing on an assault charge. (Photo by Todd Maisel)
February
On February 2, protestors massed at the Federal Prison in Sunset Park Brooklyn where families from throughout the tai-state area massed to protest that their family members incarcerated there are without heat and electricity for days. Alicia Rodriguez and Nilda Santiago of the Bronx protest on behalf of her brother Miguel Guzman who has not been convicted of a crime. (photo by Todd Maisel)On February 13, the day after Det. Brian Simonson was killed by friendly fire, police investigators were on scene at the T-Mobile on Atlantic Avenue in Richmond Hill Queens where the shooting occurred yesterday. Bullet holes were clearly visible in T-Mobile store. (Photo by Todd Maisel)On February 3, riding the J train from Marcy Avenue in Williamsburg was Adrienne Stone of Bed Stuy and her trusty dog Kylo Ren a 2-year-old Shiba Inu who doesn’t mind mass transit at all. She says she takes him along “all the time.” (Photo by Todd Maisel)On February 22, the family of Samuel Joseph, 15, of 1395 Flatbush Avenue in Flatbush Brooklyn, mourn after he is taken by ambulance to Kings County Hospital with two gun shot wounds last night in the hallway of his home. Police look for suspects in the shooting. His mother, in the white outfit, is comforted by another son after the shooting. (Photo by Todd Maisel)
March
On March 1, Aurilia Lawrence, 25, died after being hit on her bicycle by a tanker truck, one of 29 to die this year. Bike messengers came out to honor her memory. (Photo by Todd Maisel)On March 11, a fatal crash in front of 5625 Kings Highway was still active this morning after the driver of a Honda Fit struck a light pole traveling at high speed. The car went on fire, was was put out quickly. Both men later died. (Photo by Todd Maisel)
April
On April 2, more than 20,000 people jammed the streets of Borough Park in Brooklyn for the funeral and procession of the Grand Rebbe Yisruel Avrohom Ztz”L who died yesterday at the age of 96. Two police officers were injured, one hit by the hearse and the other hit by a drone. (Photo by Todd Maisel)On April 2, at least one person was killed on impact, at least one other passenger is in very critical condition after the speeding Mercedes Benz struck a tree and split into a million pieces just after passing Avenue D heading east on Kings Highway this evening. Police were still trying to find the heard of the driver, who was decapitated in the crash.The car was torn apart. (Photo by Todd Maisel)On April 3, a six alarm fire ripped through 702 44th Street in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, injuring several civilians and firefighters. Hundreds were left homeless in this rare daylight fire. (Photo by Todd Maisel)On April 12, and through June, the Nerdy Burlesque at the Nerdlesque Festival in Coney Island was a great attraction with talent from throughout the country. Kita St Cyr of New York, NY is a fire breather. (Photo By Todd Maisel)
May
On May 2, 2019. 3-year-old child was struck and killed as he was crossing the street with his mom at the corner of Bay 25th Street and Benson Avenue when he was hit by a van making a turn onto Benson Avenue in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn This was one of many people killed despite Vision Zero initiatives.On May 7, a car smashed into building on Avenue P in Midwood Brooklyn collapsing the building. The passengers fled the scene, but the driver was caught by local volunteer patrol. (Photo by Todd Maisel)On May 11, A film crew took over Dittos Park on Strafford Road today where they were filming “21 Bridges” starring Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther fame) and JK Simmons both on set. Here, Boseman tries to avoid being photographed – no such luck for him despite their best efforts. The film was panned by critics as “too anti cop.” (Photos by Todd Maisel)On May 25, The L train line at Bedford Avenue had numerous signs telling commuters their options on taking the under construction line to Manhattan, or getting a shuttle to the city, meaning that construction had started. (Photo by Todd Maisel)
June
On June 5, nearly 50 ice cream trucks from New York City Ice Cream were seized by Sheriffs officers this morning in Astoria and Long Island City as part of a multi million dollar scam in which vehicles were immune to tickets, many red light and speed camera tickets that were never paid. The scam evaded the Dept of Finance and DMV officials were also on scene because many trucks were unsafe, including not having proper breaks. The trucks work city-wide and into Long Island. (Photo Todd Maisel)On June 9, Brooklyn celebrated the Gay Pride Day Parade on Seventh Avenue, bringing out lots of color and good spirit. Ten-year-old Desmond Napoles, #DesmondisAmazing, shows off to the crowd as grand marshal. (Photo By Todd Maisel)On June 22, The Mermaid Parade brought out tens of thousands of people to the event this year in Coney Island. (Photo by Todd Maisel)On June 13, a five alarm fire raced through three 100+ year-old houses in Midwood Brooklyn early this morning, resulting in 13 injuries, though non-life threatening. The original fire started in 1488 East 17th Street at about 4:10 a.m. and spread quickly to two other houses of the same of the same Queen Anne style. A man was arrested for the arson, aimed at a local rabbi. (Photo by Todd Maisel)
July
On July 4, Joey Chestnut again won the Nathan’s Hot Dog eating contest in Coney Island. Thousands watched as contestants took part in the contest. Chestnut shows why he is the champ. (Photo by Todd Maisel)Thousands watched as contestants took part in the contest. Chestnut shows why he is the champ. (Photo by Todd Maisel)On July 21, many parts of the city suffered a power outage, most prominently in Canarsie Brooklyn, pictured here, with no power, no air conditioning and not light. But residents somehow made it through. (Photo by Todd Maisel)On July 28, Old Timers Day turned into a mass shooting where one man was killed and 11 others wounded in the Brownsville event, a normally peaceful day. Police later made an arrest in the shooting. (Photo Todd Maisel)
August
On August 25, hundreds of bicycle riders joined a caravan from Park Slope to Avenue L and Coney Island to honor the memory of Jose Alzorriz who was killed on his bicycle two weeks ago at that Midwood intersection. They called for more bike lanes and better traffic enforcement. (Photo By Todd Maisel)On August 25, hundreds of bicycle riders joined a caravan from Park Slope to Avenue L and Coney Island to honor the memory of Jose Alzorriz who was killed on his bicycle two weeks ago at that Midwood intersection. They called for more bike lanes and better traffic enforcement. Irene Hanna, Alzorriz’ partner, affixes a sign indicating where her boyfriend was killed. (Photo By Todd Maisel)
September
On September 2, revelers get crazy with motor oil and paint at the annual J’Ouvert on Empire Blvd – but there was no violence at this event as had plagued it in the past. (Photo By Todd Maisel)On September 2, while there was no violence at the J’Ouvert, this woman was killed when two groups became engaged in a dispute and one man shot at them on Newkirk Avenue in Flatbush, Brooklyn. Another man later died from his wounds. Police also shot and killed a man that shot at them in Brownsville. (Photo By Todd MaiselAlso on September 2, the annual West Indian Day Parade was a soggy affair as rain poured on revelers, but didn’t dampen spirits. (photo By Todd Maisel)On September 11 this was the 18th anniversary of the 9-11 attack on the World Trade Center that killed thousands. (photo By Todd Maisel)On September 11 on this the 18th anniversary of the 9-11 attack on the World Trade Center that killed thousands. The flag is brought in for the start of the ceremony. (Photo by Todd Maisel)On the evening of September 11, on this the 18th anniversary of the 9-11 attack on the World Trade Center that killed thousands, the twin lights lit up the skyline. (photo By Todd Maisel)On September 22, thousands of school children went on a day strike and instead went on a climate march, thousands of those from Brooklyn over the Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan. Swedish activist, Greta Thunberg, led the charge, but came under fire from President Donald Trump. (photo By Todd Maisel)
October
On September 29, Officer Brian Mulkeen was shot by fellow officers who opened fire as he struggled with an armed man in the Bronx. Among his last words were, “He’s reaching for it.” Funeral was October 4. (Photo by Todd Maisel)On October 6, firefighters battling a fire in a Park Slope apartment sprang into action and rescued two cats, one dangling from a fire window that jumped to a fire escape and was dangling from a ladder, the other that ran to the roof. Hold on kitty. (Photo By Todd Maisel)On October 14, a fatal bicycle crash occurred at 329 Cross Bay Bvd in Broad Channel, Queens the bike ripped into pieces and the bicyclist rendered unconscious, his helmet thrown 30 feet away after he hit the windshield of the Ford Explorer. He was one of the 29 bicyclists killed this year. (Photo By Todd Maisel)
November
About 50,000 runners took part in this year’s TSC New York City Marathon in the five boroughs. Three years after NYPD Sgt. Paul Tuozzolo died in the line of duty, his wife Lisa is running the TCS New York City marathon in his honor. She is accompanied by Chief of Department Terry Monahan.(Photo by Todd Maisel)On this 100th year anniversary of the Veterans Day Parade and President Donald Trump and wife Melania saluted the veterans at the parade on Fifth Avenue. (Photo by Todd Maisel)This was the 100 year anniversary of the Veterans Day Parade Marine Sergeant Joseph Cedeno married Queens resident Helen Ramierez Espinal much to the delight of the thousands in attendance. (Photo by Todd Maisel)On November 24, a massive water main break opened up at 30 foot crater on Fifth Avenue and 44th Street, causing a huge flood down the avenue onto side streets, but luckily, no stores or homes were flooded as yet. The geyser went for more than six hours.. (Photo by Todd Maisel)
December
On December 11, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a new unit to battle anti-Semitism in the NYPD, the announcement the day after the brutal attack on jews in Jersey City yesterday. He embraced Rabbi Daniel Neiderman. He was surrounded by representatives of the Jewish community and flanked by Commissioner Dermot Shea. (Photo by Todd Maisel)On December 10, the city mourned Barnard College freshman Tessa Majors, robbed and stabbed to death inside Morningside Park. One teen is being held. (Photo by Todd Maisel)On December 15, nearly a thousand mourners gathered for a candlelight vigil inside Morningside Park to mourn Tessa Majors, murdered inside the park. (Photo by Todd Maisel)On December 27, orthodox Jews prayed for peace in the World Lubavitch Center in the main synagogue in light of anti-Semitic attacks on their neighbors. (Photo by Todd Maisel)On December 27, Mayor Bill de Blasio visited the Lubavitch Center on Eastern Parkway after numerous anti-Semitic attacks on orthodox Jews throughout the city. (Photo by Todd Maisel)
