Community Corner
🌱 Hospital Cyberattack + Antisemitism + Bad Luck BQE + Free Portraits
The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Brooklyn.
Good morning, Brooklyn! I'm back with your fresh edition of the Brooklyn Daily. Follow along to find out everything you need to know about what's happening around town. Today we'll cover these stories and more:
- Brooklyn hospitals forced to go retro after cyberattack
- Another antisemitic attack adds to NYC's rising incident tally
- A Brooklyn artist is painting 200 more portraits for next wave of project
But first, today's weather:
☀️ Plenty of sunshine. High: 43 Low: 27.
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Here are the top stories today in Brooklyn:
1. A Brooklyn hospital network serving some of New York's poorest communities has been forced to revert to pen-and-paper care following a cyberattack that forced some critical services offline. According to officials, the attack happened in November cybersecurity and experts are working to get One Brooklyn Health's three hospitals fully back online. Meantime, nurses and doctors are relying on methods — like hard-copy charts and patient records — that most hospitals left behind in the 1990s. It has not been disclosed whether this was a ransomware attack, in which the hackers demanded payment. The F.B.I. declined to comment on the case, citing its policy of not discussing ongoing investigations. One Brooklyn is not alone, however, as hospitals across the country have recently become popular victims of cyberattacks.
Subscription / The New York Times
2. "Run Jews, get out of here," yelled a group of men, one armed with a taser, as they chased Jewish boys down in Flatbush. The incident was reported by a local Jewish community watch group, Shmira Public Safety, who said the boys were heckled and chased down near Avenue J and East 16th Street. The incident comes amidst an ongoing wave of antisemitic violence in New York City, including the egging attack of a 15-year-old boy in traditional Jewish garb just last month. Last month, The New York City Police Department released data showing a 125 percent increase in antisemitic hate crimes during the month of November.
3. Commuters on the BQE had an unfortunate start to their Monday when giant crane fell off a truck at the expressway entrance in Brooklyn Heights. "It was a mess, probably still a mess," said president of the Willowtown Association Linda DeRosa. (Willowtown is a dub-neighborhood tucked into the southwest section of Brooklyn Heights.) It was unclear whether the crash resulted in any injuries or infrastructure damage, and New York Department of Transportation declined to make a statement.
4. The Crown Heights Free Portrait Project is on the move, as Brooklyn creator Rusty Zimmerman makes a "fancy" medium accessible and shareable. Back in 2015, Rusty advertised free portraits in Crown Heights with the goal of connecting a changing, diverse neighborhood. He got 500 applications. He painted 200 of those applicants and collected their oral histories, and exhibited his project at the Brooklyn Children's Museum, Brooklyn Borough Hall and a documentary screening at Brooklyn Museum. Now, Zimmerman is moving to south Brooklyn with his wife and stepchildren and hopes to paint another 200 portraits that document the diverse canvas of Brooklynites from Sunset Park to Kensington to Coney Island. Read more about the artist journey, philosophy, and memorable moments at the link.
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Today in Brooklyn:
- Family Game Night, Brooklyn Public Library (Midwood), Today @ 4 p.m. | Details
- Disco Tree TuTuTuesday Open Mic, Secret Pour, Today @ 5:30 p.m. | Details
- Tuesday Jam Sessions, Manado's Jazz Lounge, Today @ 6 p.m. | Details
- "No Food Left Behind" Holiday Dinner, Farm to People Kitchen & Bar, Today @ 6:15 p.m. | Details
- Bonsai Bar, Brooklyn Brewery, Today @ 6:30 p.m. | Details
🐝 Brooklyn Buzz:
- #BlackVisionaries grant awardees announced! "For the second year in a row, the Brooklyn Museum is partnering with Instagram to uplift Black voices via the #BlackVisionaries grant program — and 10 new grant recipients were announced in late November." Learn more about the winners and their creations at the link. (Brooklyn Paper)
- For the ultimate gift procrastinator: At the link, check out 9 last-minute gift ideas "for the Brooklyn obsessive in your life." (Brooklyn Magazine)
More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!
Featured businesses:
- Cool Hand Movers — (Visit website)
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Events:
- Holiday Party at Designers Collab (December 13)
- Berkeley College Legal and Justice Studies/National Security Career Seminar (December 14)
- Success Academy Crown Heights and Prospect Height In-Person Tours (December 15)
- Greene Hill School Lower School Tour (December 15)
- Mid-Century Modern and Design | Online Auction (December 15)
- Victorian Carol Sing-Along with Two 19th Century Pipe Organs! (December 15)
- AllIOne Collective's Holiday Fundrasing Event (December 17)
- The OMNI Ensemble Continues its 40th Season with a Holiday concert of Quintet and Electronics (December 17)
- Holiday Lights At The Bronx Zoo (December 23)
- Add your event
You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update.
— Carlie Houser
About me: I'm a recent grad based in Brooklyn, NY. I love to write, run, read, and find new restaurants and venues around the city.
Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Brooklyn Daily? Contact me at brooklyn@patch.com
