NEW YORK CITY BRIEFS

Annual AIDS Walk raises over $6 million

Some 45,000 people took part in the city's 26th annual AIDS Walk yesterday, which raised more than $6 million for organizations that provide services for people with HIV and AIDS.

The annual walk through Central Park and the Upper West Side benefits Gay Men's Health Crisis and 41 other organizations that provide food, housing and medical care to people with HIV and AIDS in the tri-state area.

Also yesterday, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Forest Hills) and New York State Assemblyman Richard Gottfried (D-Manhattan) called on the Food and Drug Administration to approve the sale of over-the-counter rapid HIV test kits.

-- AP

Man accused of trying to run down cop

A Westchester man who authorities say tried to mow down a plainclothes New York City police officer with a minivan was ordered held on $750,000 bail yesterday by a Manhattan Supreme Court justice.

Joseph Dellutri, 59, of Hartsdale, did not enter a plea. His attorney said his client will not fight the plethora of charges against him, which include attempted murder.

Police said Dellutri rammed his van into a police officer Friday night in Greenwich Village, then backed up and accelerated toward the police officer again, prosecutors said. The officer suffered minor injuries.

Dellutri's next court date is May 19.

-- Emily Ngo

Crackdown on illegal hotels set to continue

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said yesterday the city has cracked down on 15 illegally converted hotels since May 1, when a state law targeting illegal hotels went into effect. He said vacate orders were issued at eight locations.

City inspectors found one three-family house in Brooklyn occupied by 44 guests. They said the building had no sprinkler or fire alarm system.

Bloomberg said owners of illegal hotels put profits above safety. He said officials will continue to do all they can to enforce the laws against them.

State Sen. Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan) said the crackdown on illegal hotels will improve the security and quality of life for New Yorkers.

-- AP