Black, Brown and Blue in the Bronx: Stories of Pain, Profiling, and Measured Promise – Part II

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

The following article is the second of a two-part feature story on the resonance of the Black Lives Matter protests in the Bronx. Part II Stories like the ones that follow are all too familiar in the Bronx. It is not only in the streets of the City where tensions are rising between law enforcement officers and the public. The incarcerated population has also been the subject of abusive practices by those sworn to protect. Norwood resident, José Saldana, is the director of Release Aging People in Prison (RAPP) and has firsthand knowledge of how the

By SÍLE MOLONEY

With a heat wave expected this week, the American Heart Association is advising people to protect their hearts in the heat. With temperatures forecasted in the 90s, it’s important to know that extreme heat can be hard on the heart. As the temperature rises, so can the risk for suffering health issues like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Doctors recommend using good judgment when it comes to activities outside in the heat, and that people stay hydrated. During hot weather, it’s important that to take the right precautions: Watch the clock: It’s best to avoid the outdoors in

By David Greene

On Thursday, July 11 Mayor Bill de Blasio joined Black Lives Matter (BLM) supporters in painting the now-famous Black Lives Matter words in giant yellow letters outside Trump Tower on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue. On seeing the group on television paint the street outside his former residence, President Donald Trump called the BLM words “a symbol of hate”. The following day, the mural site attracted both Trump and Black Lives Matter supporters, with members of the NYPD standing between the two groups to keep the peace. However, the NYPD is now asking the public’s assistance in identifying individuals

By Síle Moloney

The City’s three library systems—The New York Public Library (NYPL), Brooklyn Public Library (BPL), and Queens Public Library (QPL)—are reopening 22 branches for grab-and-go service in all five boroughs, starting Monday, Jul. 13, 2020. In this first phase of the libraries’ gradual reopening, patrons can access a small area of these branches to pick up and return checkouts placed online or on the phone. Masks will be mandatory and social distancing guidelines enforced. The first Bronx based libraries to physically re-open are Belmont, Parkchester and the Francis Martin Library on University Avenue. NYPL confirms there is no specific

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Council Member Fernando Cabrera, in conjunction with Bronx Parent Housing Network community residents, will be distributing free food and face masks on Tuesday, Jul. 14, 2020 at 12:30 p.m. at Devanney Triangle, 2030 Creston Avenue Bronx, NY 10453. “As a community and a city, we’ve made tremendous progress in stopping the community spread of COVID-19, but we still have work to do,” said Cabrera. “People still need help and support and will for some time, including food for their families and face coverings. This is one of the communities hardest hit by the coronavirus in the entire city, with

By SÍLE MOLONEY

In honor of Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, join Brave Souls on Fire as the group hosts a virtual panel discussion on Racism, Mental Health and Police on Wednesday, Jul. 15, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. EDT. Panelists will include Princess Blanding of Justice for Marcus David Peters, Richmond, VA, Chief Rashall Brackney from the Charlottesville Police Department, Celia Brown from Surviving Race, Bronx, NY, Shaniqua Smith-Spann of Uponyaji, Philadelphia, PA and George Monroe who holds an MA in Counseling from Glenn Allen, VA. There will be a Q&A session at the end of the

By Síle Moloney

The New York State Department of Labor announced on Jul. 10 that the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers, and Allied Workers, Local Union #8 will conduct a recruitment drive from Aug. 12, 2020 through Aug. 21, 2020 for 25 roofer apprentices. Please note the 25 openings listed for roofer apprentices represent the total for two recruitment regions – the Hudson Valley and New York City regions of the state. Applications may be completed and submitted online only, starting at 8:00 a.m. on Aug. 12, 2020 at www.roofers8.org. This is a limited-application recruitment. Only 250 applications will be accepted, on

By Síle Moloney

The New York City Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the individuals who appear in the attached surveillance photos and video in connection with an attempted robbery which occurred, in transit, in Kingsbridge Heights within the confines of the 52nd precinct / Transit District #11. It was reported to police that on Saturday, Jul. 4, 2020 at approximately 3:10 p.m., a 16-year-old male victim and an 18-year-old male victim were standing on the mezzanine of the Kingsbridge Road subway station at the junction of Jerome Avenue and East Kingsbridge Road, when they were approached

By Síle Moloney

The New York Lottery announced on Jul. 8 that there were multiple top-prize winning tickets sold for the Jul. 7 TAKE-5 drawing. The tickets were sold in Co-op City in the Bronx, and in Manhattan at the following locations: SHREE NAANSHARDAMA CONVENIENCE located at 113 DREISER LOOP in the Co-Op City section of the BRONX, which sold 1 prize winning ticket worth $31,561.50 HEIGHTS TOBACCO AND CANDY INC located at 188 AUDUBON AVE in MANHATTAN, which sold 1 prize winning ticket worth $31,561.50 Take-5 numbers are drawn from a field of one through 39. Drawings take place every