NYC Now: Seaside Heights Beach Access, Paterson Water Issues, and ACS Surveillance Ruling

Seaside Heights Beach Access Tightened

• 🏖️ Seaside Heights is implementing stricter beach access rules, closing beaches once lifeguards leave at 7 PM.
• ⚠️ This measure follows a deadly weekend with one death and six rescues due to rip currents after hours.
• 👮 Police will enforce beach closures and issue summonses to those who remain on the beach after hours.

Paterson Water Service Restoration

• 💧 Most residents in Paterson, New Jersey, now have running water again for basic needs like showering and flushing toilets.
• 🚱 However, a boiled water advisory remains in effect as the water is not yet safe for drinking following a major water main break.

PATH Station Disruptions

• 🚆 The Hoboken PATH station will face further disruptions, including a shutdown for Labor Day weekend, due to contractor errors in designing key components.
• 🚧 This impacts the original plan to complete repairs in February and has led to slower peak service.
• 🎟️ During the Labor Day weekend outages, PATH tickets will be cross-honored on NJ Transit, and New York Waterway ferries will offer discounts.

ACS Surveillance of Domestic Violence Survivors

• ⚖️ A new ruling in New York City states that the Administration for Children's Services (ACS) cannot surveil parents who are not accused of abuse or neglect, even if the other parent is under investigation for domestic violence.
• 🏠 This practice, which involved intrusive home visits and inspections, was found to violate New York's Family Court Act.
• 💔 Attorneys argue that this surveillance can be humiliating, intrusive, and traumatizing for survivors, mimicking coercive control and potentially disincentivizing them from seeking help.
• 📈 The ruling also noted a disproportionate impact on Black and Latino families.
• 🗣️ ACS acknowledges the ruling and is reviewing its legal options but states it aims to reduce unnecessary monitoring while retaining options to protect children.