Gothamist reports that on Thursday, June 23, cops shut down a Rooftop Films screening on Wythe and South 2nd for public drinking despite having a valid liquor license.

Calling the incident a “permit misunderstanding,” Rooftop Films issued a statement saying:

If any patrons received summonses at the event, we will be more than happy to provide a copy of the valid liquor permit that covered the event, and Rooftop Films and the owners of the establishment will assist those patrons in dealing the NYPD in any way we possibly can. Please email Lela Scott MacNeil at lela@rooftopfilms.com.

Rooftop Films will also refund ticket sales from that night and offer two additional tickets to another show. Simply email lela@rooftopfilms.com.

Police arrested two men attempting to climb the Williamsburg Bridge for a photo shoot reports the Daily News.

Everybody loves the view from the bridge but James Stafford of Connecticut, and Brice Farrell of Maryland wanted to find that perfect spot for their snap shots.

Around 3 a.m. NYPD Aviation Unit officers spotted the urban explorers scaling the Williamsburg Bridge according to Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly.

The death-defying duo were arrested and charged with reckless endangerment. They told authorities they simply wanted to take photos, and police say both men had cameras.

“We don’t see anything in terms of an attempt to damage the bridge,” said Kelly, but worried about the safety of citizens as well as officers. “What it does is put our police officers at risk to climb up on the bridge to get people down,” he said.

It is unclear at this time if the men will face additional charges, if they’ve acquired a lawyer, or just how crazy they must be to boulder that bridge.

Jesse S., who took this photo, tells me officers were handing out pamphlets on bike safety and “ticketing everybody for everything.” My favorite part, as you can see above in Exhibit A, is the helpful construction sign asking, “What’s going on here?” on behalf of us humans. Somebody, answer this bridge’s sign.

The junkies in Williamsburg will have to wait longer, or maybe clean up their act and get a job.  Okay, the job part might be crazy, it is Williamsburg.

The NYPD announced today they have shut down the drug-ring which investigators claim ran the North Williamsburg heroin game.  After a four month long sting officers arrested seven alleged dealers who had sold heroin to undercover narcotics agents over 20 times throughout the investigation.

According to the police, these guys were devoted.  They stood on the corner of Jackson Street and Kingsland Avenue near the Cooper Park housing projects, so much that investigators say they showed up on a Google Earth photo of the intersection.  On a more disturbing note, these guys didn’t seem to care they were selling smack within 1000 ft. of a preschool.  Authorities went on to explain that the ring allegedly had a clever method of peddling dope.  From MSNBC:

The suspects, who range in age from 18 to 32, were seen on surveillance cameras hiding heroin by stuffing it in a magnetic lock-box behind a metal sign on a storefront…The heroin sold was packaged in glassine envelopes and was stamped with different logos including “Fed Ex,” “KFC,” “Powerful Impact,” and the “Monster” energy drink logo.

Criminals beware, the NYPD is on a roll.  In addition to busting these drug dealers, authorities also charged several employees at the surrounding bodegas with possession and sale of untaxed cigarettes.

A reader sent in the below footage of a little situation involving an upset police officer interacting with multiple people on the 8th Avenue L Train platform and a superior officer scolding him as he tries to calm him down.

The tipster writes:

Me and my buddy were attacked in the subway station tonight by an office [sic] Kann from the NYPD bag [sic] # 13225. And we were hoping you guys might know anyone or could get the word out to anyone who was one the 8th Ave L train stop Friday July 9th 2010 around 11:20PM. Any help would be appreciated, for this abuse in power.

We need a little more context before coming to any conclusions. This doesn’t really constitute an “attack,” when compared to others, but it does offer a rare glimpse at how a senior officer acts when a junior cop is a bit out of control.

Kudos to him for keeping his head in the situation.

Watch it and tell us what you think:

This sucks. After playing an amazing show last night with Dawes, a van was stolen in our ‘hood filled to the brim with custom and vintage gear of the lovely Brooklyn crooner. From Phosporescent’s management:

Last night, after an amazing show at Pier 54 in New York City, Phosphorescent’s rental van -along with all of their equipment – was stolen from outside a residence in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Last night’s show was the first night of their scheduled six-weeks US Tour.  Among the stolen items was Matthew Houck’s custom, irreplaceable 1955 Gibson ES-125 guitar, vintage amplifiers, and a vintage pedal steel with losses totaling around $40,000.  If anyone has ANY information or leads on what might have happened, or if you see any of this gear in pawn shops, on Craigslist, etc, please call the NY Police Department, Vector Management, or anyone you think might be able to help recover this gear.  The van rental company is insured – they are covered for their van and are therefore not greatly concerned with recovering it.  Phosphorescent DOES care though, greatly, about recovering any of this gear possible, and figuring out how to rally up and make this US Tour happen.  Anything anyone can do to help would be simply amazing.  We have set up a Paypal account for anyone wishing to donate funds to help replace gear – anything helps.  We will be sending updates about the upcoming tour dates ASAP.  Thanks in advance for any goodwill and assistance and thank you for your support over the years.