911 Overhaul
New York City's 911 call system will get a $1.5 billion overhaul that will create a backup center and consolidate operators and dispatchers from all of the emergency services, according to an article in the New York Times. The city will soon open a new call center in Brooklyn, build another one in the Bronx, and integrate the city's three 911 computer systems. For more, see Crime Links in the News.

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In the Press...

Spitzer and Bruno Battle Over State-Financed Trips (NY Times)

New Priorities, New Jobs for NYC Transit Officials (Daily News)

Audit Finds Public Advocate Violated Purchasing Rules (NY Post)

Police Prepare For Terror on July Fourth (NY Sun)

Performance Artist Arrested for Reciting First Amendment (Associated Press)

Schoolyards Become Local Parks (Metro)

New York Malpractice Insurance Rates Surge (Crain's)

Fireworks Ban Makes for Quieter Holiday (AM New York)

Trans Fat Ban Goes Into Effect (WNYC)

1=10243" target="new">Has Booming Big Apple Lost Its Bite? (MSN.com)

Access to the HPV Vaccine in NYC (Gotham Gazette)

Health Links In The News (Gotham Gazette)

Today's Report...
Department of Youth and Community Development Losing Sight of Beacon Centers
An audit by Comptroller William Thompson finds that the Department of Youth and Community Development has not maintained adequate oversight and monitoring of Beacon Program contractors to ensure they are providing services and activities to achieve program goals. Beacons are school-based community centers where young people can go when school is not in session. They are operated by community-based organizations and are expected to provide a combination of services and activities consistent with their respective neighborhood needs and interests.

For the full report, visit here.

Recent Reports
Strengthening Communities Through the Innovative Use of Public Space...A Report Card for Parks...Taxis for People with Disabilities...

Topic of the Day...
Health
A new – and expensive – vaccine could prevent thousands of fatal cases of cervical cancer. Is the shot getting to the young women in New York who need it most? Read more ...

Health Links In The News
New York Malpractice Insurance Rates Surge; Trans Fat Ban Goes Into Effect; A Proposal Emerges to Keep Cold Remedies Behind the Counter;

Wonkster, our new blog, directs you to the views and spews of editorial writers, bloggers and other opinionated New Yorkers the way for six years Gotham Gazette has directed you to the news.

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