Latest news with #KazDaughtry
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Chell, Daughtry golf outing with Trump sparks inquiry over use of NYPD security detail
NEW YORK — NYPD Chief of Department John Chell and Deputy Mayor Kaz Daughtry brought their police security details along last month when they visited President Donald Trump on their personal time at Trump's Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club — and the deployment is now attracting scrutiny from a city government watchdog, the Daily News has learned. Police and City Hall sources confirmed Chell and Daughtry brought their details. The City Hall source added the cops did not actually join the men on the golf course. The episode has since led to an inquiry by the city Department of Investigation after activist Brooklyn Rev. Kevin McCall filed a complaint on June 20. In his complaint, McCall said the matter 'involves the public trust' and asked DOI to determine whether the use of NYPD resources such as personnel and vehicles for the jaunt 'violated any NYPD codes of conduct or city ethics rules.' He wrote if Chell was off duty, as the department later said, 'this raises serious concerns regarding the misuse of public resources.' 'As a leader in the community, I am obligated to report concerns through the appropriate channels,' McCall said. 'At a time where we are dealing with cuts from the Trump administration, NYPD personnel resources are being used for personal gain. If this is confirmed, Chief John Chell should be fired immediately.' A city government source said the detail remained a mile or two away while Chell and Daughtry hit the links with Trump before having lunch. The City Hall source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, maintained it was within Chell and Daughtry's rights to have detail members with them, saying they're entitled to protection even on private time. Neither Chell nor Daughtry had been contacted by DOI investigators as of Friday, the source said. Kayla Mamelak, a spokeswoman for Mayor Eric Adams, said city officials are entitled to security at all times if the NYPD determines it's necessary. Mamelak also noted that a DOI complaint doesn't mean anyone has been found liable for any wrongdoing. An NYPD spokesman said the department will 'cooperate with any DOI investigation of this matter' and added that it 'complies with the applicable rules regarding the use of Department resources and personnel.' A spokeswoman for DOI declined comment. McCall said he has been interviewed by a DOI investigator. The golf outing on the weekend of June 7 and 8 prompted broad interest as it took place as tensions ratcheted up over Trump's nationwide immigration crackdown. The outing also came amid continued scrutiny over Adams' relationship with Trump amid fallout from his corruption indictment. Chell and Daughtry, who is Adams' top public safety deputy, posted photos of themselves with Trump June 8 on social media with Daughtry calling it a 'fantastic afternoon.' Chell dubbed it 'good conversation with a few laughs and a great lunch.' 'Even the wife received a call from the big guy!' Chell added, as The News previously reported. Chell and Daughtry have landed in hot water with DOI before, including earlier this year when the watchdog agency determined they violated city rules by going after critics and journalists on social media using their official accounts. A source familiar with their Trump meeting previously told The News there was no talk about politics or immigration. But another unnamed source told the New York Post Trump promised Chell and Daughtry he wouldn't deploy the military to NYC to quell protests as long as the NYPD handled things to his liking. Trump's decision to send National Guard troops to Los Angeles amid ICE protests around that time has sparked widespread concern and criticism. Christopher Ruddy, CEO of Newsmax, previously told The News that Trump personally invited Chell and Daughtry.
CBS News
06-07-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
NYC Deputy Mayor Kaz Daughtry on cooperating with ICE: "It's important to have a seat at the table"
New York City's Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry sat down with CBS News New York's Marcia Kramer for this week's episode of "The Point." Kaz Daughtry on immigration enforcement A new poll shows public opinion has shifted on cooperating with ICE agents, with the public now just about evenly divided between those who support cooperating with ICE and those who don't. Why is that? "When it comes to working with the feds in regards to immigration, we only deal with criminal enforcement, Marcia. That's it. And the feds know ... we can not get involved involved in civil immigration matters. Criminal matters? We are all in," Daughtry said. "We can not get involved ... for civil immigration stuff. We can't do that. Hands off. They know it, we know it, and we don't try to skirt around it and see how we can work with them." Daughtry said he's been criticized for working with the feds on criminal investigations involving transnational gangs. "These are people ... bad people, bad people ... murders, robberies, they came here and they victimized New Yorkers," Daughtry said. "Taking these transnational gang members off our streets is helping New Yorkers." What about the concerns of the immigrant community about using city services? "Have you ever heard of a case where the feds, ICE, HSI going into one of our public schools?" Daughtry said. "Have you ever heard of an incident where the feds or ICE were going into a house of worship? This is why it's important to have a seat at the table, to see what's on the menu, and to be on the menu. And that's what the open dialogue between this administration and the federal authorities is all about." Daughtry also spoke about the meeting he had with President Trump. "We had conversations on the golf course. They will remain private," Daughtry said. "I will share this piece of information with you. The president is all about public safety. New York is a very special place to him. We have a connection - he was born in Queens. I was born in Queens. And he wants the best stuff to happen for New York City." Daughtry on use of drones in public safety Daughtry said he's hoping to install drones on the roofs of certain police precincts and fire department stationhouses. "I want the drones on top of the firehouses, so when they get the call ... as soon as the drones get that alert, the drone would dispatch before the fire truck even comes out of the house," Daughtry said. "Then they can see exactly where the fire's at, and they can have an attack plan ... in place before they even get to the fire." Daughtry also talked about the NYPD pursuing anti-drone technology, to take down hostile drones. He described using drones to shoot nets around hostile drones, which then deploy parachutes so that the hostile drones can safely land. Daughtry also described his desire to have a public-facing drone dashboard, so people can see how the NYPD drones are being used. "They can see exactly what the call is, and they would know that that drone was there to help them, instead of spy on them," Daughtry said. Ken Jenkins on Westchester County and immigration enforcement Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said police in his county would work with the feds on criminal matters, not civil. "As far as civil immigration matters, the county's not doing the federal government's job. If someone comes in with a judicial warrant, we honor those judicial warrants and we follow the law. But as far as just working with someone on a civil immigration matter, that is not our job to do. We help our federal law enforcement partners do what they need to do," Jenkins said. Jenkins also spoke about the impact on Westchester County from the so-called "Big Beautiful Bill" passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump. "The impact is huge. Six billion dollars of impact to all of our hospitals. We have world-class hospitals in Westchester County," Jenkins said. "The reduction is two-fold. So if someone is not on Medicaid anymore, they don't even have the insurance even at a minimum level, that hospital now is going to take that person in in the most expensive care possible - in an emergency room. And now, they're not going to get reimbursed for even that. So now the hospitals are going to be having challenges, which they already are, and people are not going to get served." Your Point: Should bodega cats be legal? Bodega cats, though beloved by many, are technically not legal. A new law looks to change that. What do New Yorkers think?
New York Post
06-07-2025
- New York Post
Another shark spotted 100 feet away from swimmers at Rockaway Beach, prompting closure
It's 'Shark Weekend' in New York City. Another shark was spotted swimming precariously close to swimmers at Rockaway Beach Saturday — just 100 feet away — prompting the closure of the popular watering hole for the second day in a row. NYPD drones captured the toothsome predator around 6 p.m. in the area of Beach 113th and Beach 115th streets in Rockaway Park, Queens — with video showing the shark writhing just beneath the surface of the water, shockingly close to oblivious swimmers. The shark's fin seemed to sneak above the surface of the water for just a moment before it disappeared back into the Atlantic's murky depths. 'The shark was last seen swimming back into open waters,' the city's Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry tweeted. 'From the sky to the surf, we are constantly patrolling with drones to detect both shark activity and distressed swimmers. This is how we stay ahead of danger — and keep New Yorkers safe.' Saturday's sighting, the fourth in two days, shuttered the shore from Beach 92nd to Beach 124th streets. Drone footage showed two swimmers practically within spitting distance of the seasonal predator. X/@kazdaughtry Big Apple shores are apparently drawing more than just tourists and sun-seekers this summer. The silver-skinned big mouth was captured peaking its fin out of the waters near Beach 111th Street in Rockaway. X/@kazdaughtry On July 4, there were three shark sightings off the coast of Rockaway Park — at Beach 32nd Street, another at Beach 144th Street and a third at Beach 30th Street. 'These sightings were very close to beachgoers,' Daughtry warned in a post to X on Friday. Officials have not said which type of sharks were spotted. However, species like Atlantic Menhaden and smooth dogfish have been known to favor New York waters. In a statement Thursday, Gov. Kathy Hochul said New York park officials are utilizing drones and helicopters to beef up shark patrols in an effort to prevent any man-eater encounters. 'We are continuing to strengthen our shark surveillance capabilities and safety tactics at these beaches to help protect these treasured summertime traditions,' Hochul wrote. 'I encourage all beachgoers to stay safe, stay alert, and always follow the direction of lifeguards and park staff,' the governor advised.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Shark sightings force some New York beaches to close on busy July 4 weekend
Shark sightings forced some New York beaches to close on the busy Fourth of July holiday weekend. Millions of Americans celebrated Independence Day on Friday, with many opting to hang out at the beach. New Yorkers who wanted to take advantage of the sunny weather may have been disappointed to find Rockaway Beach in Queens was closed after shark sightings. New York City Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry alerted the closures in an X post Friday afternoon. Daughtry said two sharks were spotted near Beach 32nd Street shortly before 11:30 a.m. ET. He said 'one marine animal' was also seen at Beach 144th Street and the latest sighting was at Beach 30th Street. 'These sightings were very close to beachgoers. But thanks to drone tech, lifeguards, and the dedicated professionals at [NYC Emergency Management], we're keeping everyone safe as they enjoy the holiday.' Beach 30th Street was only closed for an hour on Friday, according to Daughtry. New York takes shark monitoring seriously. Lifeguards continuously patrol the water and beach police and staff use drones to spot 'dangerous marine life,' such as sharks, and large schools of fish that may attract them, according to a recent press release from Governor Kathy Hochul's office. The Empire State has increased its surveillance capabilities this summer, which includes six new drones, marking 28 drones total, and training eight new drone operators for a total of 48 operators. New York also gave beach police one large 'enterprise drone' with thermal imaging, among other capabilities. The drone can also drop personal flotation devices into the water in emergencies. 'Our Long Island State Park beaches are cherished by New Yorkers and visitors alike — perfect places to get offline, get outside and enjoy the outdoors,' Hochul said in Wednesday's release. She continued: 'We are continuing to strengthen our shark surveillance capabilities and safety tactics at these beaches to help protect these treasured summertime traditions. I encourage all beachgoers to stay safe, stay alert and always follow the direction of lifeguards and park staff.'
The Independent
05-07-2025
- The Independent
Shark sightings force some New York beaches to close on busy July 4 weekend
Shark sightings forced some New York beaches to close on the busy Fourth of July holiday weekend. Millions of Americans celebrated Independence Day on Friday, with many opting to hang out at the beach. New Yorkers who wanted to take advantage of the sunny weather may have been disappointed to find Rockaway Beach in Queens was closed after shark sightings. New York City Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry alerted the closures in an X post Friday afternoon. Daughtry said two sharks were spotted near Beach 32nd Street shortly before 11:30 a.m. ET. He said 'one marine animal' was also seen at Beach 144th Street and the latest sighting was at Beach 30th Street. 'These sightings were very close to beachgoers. But thanks to drone tech, lifeguards, and the dedicated professionals at [NYC Emergency Management], we're keeping everyone safe as they enjoy the holiday.' Beach 30th Street was only closed for an hour on Friday, according to Daughtry. New York takes shark monitoring seriously. Lifeguards continuously patrol the water and beach police and staff use drones to spot 'dangerous marine life,' such as sharks, and large schools of fish that may attract them, according to a recent press release from Governor Kathy Hochul 's office. The Empire State has increased its surveillance capabilities this summer, which includes six new drones, marking 28 drones total, and training eight new drone operators for a total of 48 operators. New York also gave beach police one large 'enterprise drone' with thermal imaging, among other capabilities. The drone can also drop personal flotation devices into the water in emergencies. 'Our Long Island State Park beaches are cherished by New Yorkers and visitors alike — perfect places to get offline, get outside and enjoy the outdoors,' Hochul said in Wednesday's release. She continued: 'We are continuing to strengthen our shark surveillance capabilities and safety tactics at these beaches to help protect these treasured summertime traditions. I encourage all beachgoers to stay safe, stay alert and always follow the direction of lifeguards and park staff.'
