52nd Precinct Increases Patrols at St. James Park

52nd Precinct Warns of More Patrols at St. James Park

By REGGIE FRANCOIS

The 52nd Precinct is upping patrols in and around St. James Park in Fordham after noticing a rise in gang-related disputes over the last month. “St. James Park is going to be a big concern for us,” said Deputy Inspector Peter Fiorillo in a 52nd Precinct Community Council meeting. “I’m already starting to see problems in there.” The precinct has identified four gangs that have been involved with the activity: Bloods, Crips, Black Kings and Trinitarios. Over the past month, Fiorillo cited two shootings with no injuries and four stabbings. He said the goal is to make the park, and surrounding

Celebrating Centenarians at St. Patrick’s Home

By DEVIN DAE TUCKER

St. Patrick’s Home for the Aged and Infirm held its annual Centennial Celebration for their residents who have reached the milestone of 100 years of age. The senior residence honored five centenarians: Julia Bizarri, 104, Annina Walsh, 102, Antoinette Cortina, 102, Sr. Benigna Consolata, O. Carm., 101, and Mary Palermo, who is 99 years old and hitting the century mark in November. Honorees Irene Kuchma, 100, and Mary Cordillo, 99, also received recognition but were not present. “This is indeed a wonderful celebration for all of us who have the privilege of knowing or being related to these wonderful women,”

Dear Fellow Readers! The latest edition of Norwood News, covering community news in the Bronx, is out with plenty of stories that will get you talking. We can start with the beginning, with page 1 and a local story on Whalen Park receiving a $2 million upgrade. We go back in time to the days that Henry Whalen, the civic activists named after the eponymous park, was alive and making a positive contribution to Norwood in the 1960s and 70s. Read what his daughter had to say about him and the pending renovations for the park. Norwood News would also like to

By REGGIE FRANCOIS

A popular bar lounge in Norwood had its final hurrah the weekend of June 9, closing its doors after its restaurateur couldn’t agree on a lease renewal deal with the building’s owner. Gino Pacheco, owner of Beso Lounge, said the nighttime bar underwent renovations for three years and had been promised a lease for five more years. Despite a new owner buying the building for more money, Pacheco negotiated the lease in hopes for a similar lease deal he had when he first opened the business. The lounge’s original rent was $3,000 and the new building owner doubled the rent

Ahead of Mayoral Control of Schools Fate, Bronx BP Releases Report on G&T Inequity Fix

By DAVID CRUZ

Under a cloud over whether the fate of mayoral control of schools will be killed by the Albany Legislature, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and his Brooklyn counterpart released a report outlining ways to equalize the public school system’s gifted and talented program (G&T), claiming it grossly excludes minority students. “We are totally optimistic…that before 12 o’clock strikes tonight the Legislature will come up with mayoral control expansion,” Diaz, standing next to Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, said at a press conference in front of the New York City Department of Education (DOE) headquarters. “Should we go back to

Many of the residents of 3050 Perry Ave. returned home the day after a two-alarm fire tore through three apartments and injured 7, including four children June 15 in the Norwood section of the Bronx. The fire was the talk of the neighborhood. Perry Avenue resident Sonia Gonzalez heard screams moments before the sounds of several dozen emergency vehicles converged on the block. “I saw the flames when they started to blow out the front windows and some people were on the fire escape and they climbed down and the fireman went up,” Gonzalez recalled. Gonzalez added, “I just know one family

Inspirational Stencils, Courtesy of Bronx Community Charter School Students

By DEVIN DAE TUCKER

Six graders from Bronx Community Charter School (BCCS) are taking on a year-end street art project, creating stencil art to be displayed around Norwood. They feel their artworks will have a powerful impact on the community. “I think any time kids have an opportunity to do something authentic and real in their own community, the benefits are huge,” said Kendra Sibley, sixth grade teacher at BCCS leading the class. “It is incredibly empowering to them to know that their work is appreciated and that their voices can be heard.” Students were able to incorporate their stencil art with a

By DAVID GREENE

Seven people were injured, including four children, after a fast moving fire broke out in a six-story, non-fire proof building on Perry Avenue. A massive response by police and fire officials began moments after the blaze broke out on the fourth floor of 3050 Perry Ave., a six-story residence between East 204th Street and Mosholu Parkway North, at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 15. Fires crews closed off the street, a neighborhood comprised mostly of two-family homes and residential properties mostly facing Mosholu Parkway. Fire officials could only say that ten victims were removed from the building, all suffering minor

The 52nd Precinct saw seven car thefts last month, and police say Ford models are the prime target. “There’s a lot of parts on Fords that are valuable like catalytic converters,” Deputy Inspector Peter Fiorillo, commanding officer of the Five-Two, said at the recent community council meeting. Ford motorcycles equipped with expensive Econoline headlights are also being swiped, Fiorillo said. “I’m expecting to see that go up more now that we’re in motorcycle season,” he said. “That’s something we have to look out.” Honda and Nissan vehicles are also being targeted. In May, the precinct, covering Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham, Kingsbridge