The killing on Aug. 5 of 14-year-old local resident Ángel Miguel Mendoza Hernández in the Williamsbridge Oval park in Norwood, allegedly by an armed gang, some of whom have been arrested, shocked the community and lead to numerous calls for the installation of better lighting and security cameras in the Oval, and while every measure taken to date to address public safety for all is, of course, valued, necessary, and appreciated, it won’t, unfortunately, bring Ángel back.

 

His grieving family continue to mourn his loss with the knowledge that he was killed in the end in broad daylight in a crowded city park. And the killing continues, as evidenced by the crime statistics included in our latest crime file.

 

Though we have yet to receive the cause of death from the Office of the City’s Medical Examiner for the 53-year-old woman who was found dead inside her Norwood apartment on Thursday, Oct. 23, at 115 East Mosholu Parkway North, there have, sadly, been a host of other tragic deaths reported in our local coverage area since Aug. 5.

 

Most recently, as reported in this edition, a 35-year-old woman was stabbed to death on Sunday, Oct. 26, at 28 East Kingsbridge Road in Fordham Manor, a short distance from the Kingsbridge Armory. Police said a 30-year-old male pedestrian was found dead on the Major Deegan Expressway in Van Cortlandt Park in the early hours of Sunday morning, Sept. 7.

 

They have since said that they are investigating the incident as a hit & run. Further afield, on Aug. 23, in Westchester Square, four teenagers aged 13 to 15 were injured in a nonfatal shooting. This is the reality. So, what more can be done? One possible solution is to get as many Bronxites as possible trained on how to “Stop the Bleed” in the event of a massive wound to a limb, as it can make the difference between life or death while a victim waits for emergency services to arrive.

 

On Oct. 23, Norwood News participated in part of a series of “Stop the Bleed” training sessions run by NYC Health + Hospitals | Jacobi | North Central Bronx (NCB) in conjunction with the American College of Surgeons (ACS). The NCB course is run by Carrie Shumway, M.S., CHEP, associate director in the emergency management unit, and she is also a Spanish speaker.

 

According to ACS experts, the average human body contains only about 5 or 6 liters of blood, and severe blood loss can occur within minutes and can be catastrophic: blood is literally life. They say loss of a significant amount of blood depletes the ability of vital organs and cells in the body to function properly, setting off a series of life-threatening events that can lead to worsening clinical outcomes and even death.

 

Experts say controlling bleeding helps by keeping the blood inside the body. Rapid blood lost over five minutes or maybe less can reportedly be deadly and therefore stopping the bleed is a priority.

 

Norwood News asked for some statistics from NYC Health + Hospitals on the number of fatalities due to massive blood loss after a serious blood injury compared to those who are injured and treated rapidly for blood loss, and while we did not receive a response as of press date, Shumway had said that the main message from surgeons is that they can only obviously treat a person who is alive.

 

The course is clear, thorough, easy to follow, empowering, and lasts maybe less than an hour, including time for some hands-on practice. One question raised was if a person is wounded in several places and bleeding from multiple areas e.g. abdomen, leg, arm, what is the recommended course of action in terms of priority.

 

Shumway said that a person who completes the “Stop the Bleed” training is considered a “non-clinical, immediate responder” and therefore it is recommended that they simply work on whichever wound seems to be losing the most blood [in the most effective way]. Tourniquets, for example, are only used to stop rapid blood flow on limbs. Wounds to be abdomen could potentially be “packed.”

 

An official “Stop the Bleed” kit includes a tourniquet and other helpful materials like “packing” materials which can be used to treat a wound. Unfortunately, no such kit, it seems, was available in the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center on the day Ángel died.

 

When no such kits are available, another question raised during the course was around fears over potentially infecting an injured person with a potentially sweaty piece of clothing like a t-shirt in efforts to pack the wound and stop the flow of blood. In response, Shumway quoted one of her colleagues who she said often said something to the effect of “Infection is the privilege of the living,” meaning the most critical action to take is to stop the flow of blood, even if that means the person gets infected.

She said infections can usually be treated with antibiotics. Sadly, death due to massive blood loss cannot, and every second counts.  Those who complete the course may be eligible to become instructors themselves and are encouraged to spread the word and encourage others in turn to take the class. [Links are provided further below.]

 

In terms of other actions taken to keep the community safe, as reported, in late September, both the NYPD and a representative from State Sen. Gustavo Rivera’s office announced that 22 video surveillance cameras would begin to be installed in the Oval. The first of several security cameras was seen in the park on Oct. 23, located close to the basketball court.

 

It has an NYPD logo on it and it was confirmed at the October meeting of the 52^nd Precinct Community Council that it can be monitored both by One Police Plaza and the 52^nd Precinct. It was reportedly installed in conjunction with the Office of the Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson.

 

In October, Rivera, who, together with Heather Guerino of Crusaders for Children’s Rights, hosted a vigil for Ángel in the Oval in August, along with members of his family and the local community, hosted a conversation with elected officials, community leaders, and residents regarding what he said were the tragic incidents that have occurred at the Oval in recent months. Two rapes were also reported since Ángel’s death, as reported.

 

“This was an opportunity to hear directly from the community about their heightened concerns, as well as the proposed solutions from local leaders to address this issue,” the senator said. “I also provided an update on the progress of the security cameras I funded through NYC Parks for the Recreation Center. I will continue working to make our neighborhoods safer places for everyone. Thank you to all who attended!”

 

Meanwhile, Bronx Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81), who represents much of the northwest Bronx, has said he is pleased to know that the City Council is moving ahead with gun reform legislation that is similar to a law he sponsored at State level which passed last year.

 

He said earlier this year, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law his bill which requires the posting of notices and handing out of those notices when an individual obtains a gun license. He said a notice is also handed out to a person purchasing a firearm and highlights the dangers of ownership, including the increased risk of suicide, death during domestic disputes, and unintentional death to children, household members, and others.

 

It also advises the person of the availability of the 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Meanwhile, The Office of the Bronx District Attorney held a recent gun buyback event in Fordham Manor and will hold another on Saturday, Dec. 13, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 777 East 222nd Street, The Bronx, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Turn in guns for cash. A $500 bank card will be exchanged for an operable handgun or assault rifle.

 

A $200 bank card will be exchanged for a ghost gun or 3D printed gun. A $75 bank card will be exchanged for a rifle or shotgun, and a $25 bank card will be exchanged for an airgun, a non-operable handgun or an imitation pistol. There is a three-gun limit per participant, and a two-ghost gun or 3D printed gun limit per participant.

 

For a list of remaining “Stop the Bleed” training sessions and to sign up for a slot, visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4AADAF23AAFAC25-stop#/.  For a list of Jacobi sessions, visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4AADAF23AAFAC25-59439856-jacobi#/.

 

Norwood News had planned to launch a gofundme page to fund an official “Stop the Bleed” kit and install it at the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center. However, having checked with NYC Parks if this would be feasible from their standpoint, a spokesperson has since advised that it would not be. “Thanks for offering to create a Go Fund Me for the kits,” a Parks spokesperson said. “I ran this by our borough team as well as our health & safety and legal divisions, and it is not feasible for us to do this.”

 

The spokesperson said they appreciated the thought and suggested liaising with one of the Bronx cure violence groups or other community groups on the matter. The issue is that none of the cure violence groups have a physical base in Norwood where the kit could be installed. We are now looking into installing it at the Keeper’s House instead, since it’s near the Oval. We’ll keep everyone updated.

 

The Bronx District Attorney’s domestic violence unit can be reached on (718) 838 6688. Call the NYC 24/7 Domestic Violence Hotline on 1-800-621-4673, or visit the NYC Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence for more information.