Bailey Forms Criminal Justice Reform Council, Gauges Input

By SHA-NIA ALSTON

State Sen. Jamaal Bailey, representing Norwood and chair of the Senate Committee on Codes, recently announced the creation of a Criminal Justice Reform Council, attracting advocates from the district to help reshape the state’s criminal justice system. The council is comprised of several advocates on criminal justice reform that hail from the Bronx, and Westchester County. Members on the council are representatives from an array of organizations that include the Legal Aid Society, Vocal-NY, CUNY Law School, Discovery for Justice, B.R.A.G., Not On My Watch, RAPP Campaign, and 100 Suits for 100 Men. Bailey felt it was imperative to develop

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By DAVID CRUZ

An unidentified teen was stabbed to death in Fordham, marking the first homicide for the 52nd Precinct. Details are sparse, but police say the killing was reported at around 7 p.m. on Feb. 13 as officers responded to an assault of a 17-year-old boy near East 193rd Street and Decatur Avenue, a known gang area in the Five-Two. Officers found the victim with stab woulds to the body. EMS rushed the victim to St. Barnabas Hospital where he was pronounced dead. His name has not been released until the family gets the news first. The 17-year-old was killed two blocks

Snow Postpones Stagg Meeting at Community Board 7

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Snow and ice caused the cancellation of Community Board 7’s Housing, Land Use & Zoning committee meeting of Feb. 12, in which residents from 2985, 2987, and 2999 Webster Ave., owned by the Stagg Group, were prepared for a heated confrontation with the landlord’s representatives. As previously reported in the Norwood News, residents of the three buildings have intensified their complaints over repairs not being tended to, security cameras not working, dirty hallways not being regularly cleaned, and just the overall difficulty of getting the management team to respond. Led by Zxavier Simpson, from 2985 Webster Ave., residents are joining

Rite Aid Closure Stuns Bedford Pk. Locals

By ALONDRA VASQUEZ

Gloria Murray, 70, a resident at the Serviam Gardens senior home in Bedford Park, will no longer be able to pick up her prescriptions at her local Rite Aid. The sign taped to the pharmacy’s front door at 239 E. 198th St., just two blocks from the affordable housing complex, said it all: “Hello Rite Aid Customers. We are closing at 7 p.m. today. Thanks for choosing us as your favorite store. Sorry for the inconvenience.” The sign was posted Feb. 5, the date the store permanently closed. The closure adds a greater layer of inconvenience for residents at Serviam

By EMILY SUZANNE LEVER

New York City’s decades-long housing crisis continues, and it’s hitting the northwest Bronx the hardest. Fordham and Bedford Park were among the neighborhoods with the most evictions in the city, according to a report released by the office of City Council Speaker and interim Public Advocate Corey Johnson. From January 2017 through 2019, the Bronx led in evictions, in one eviction for every 79 units. That’s more than twice as much as in the next-most affected borough, Brooklyn, which saw one eviction in every 180 units. The 10458 and 10468 zip codes, which encompass Bedford Park, Fordham and other neighborhoods,

Ahead of Possible Government Shutdown, Bronx Locals Get Free Tax Help

By DAVID GREENE

As a possible federal government shutdown looms, Bronxites converged at one local bank for some to have their taxes prepped and filed before they’re refunds are stalled. On Feb. 7 Ridgewood Savings Bank, the largest mutual savings bank in New York State, announced it had partnered with non-profit tax professionals Ariva, in offering free tax preparation at two of its Bronx branches, including one at 3445 Jerome Ave. in Norwood. Customers arrived at the Jerome Avenue branch on Feb. 9 and 10 with documents in hand and met with a tax specialist and e-filed their returns the same day. Few seats

SEE PICTURES: Bronx Polar Bears Take Orchard Beach Plunge

By DAVID CRUZ

The cold temperatures this weekend were nothing compared to the icy cold waters of Orchard Beach. The Bronx’s Riviera was the scene for the annual Polar Bear Swim on Feb. 9. Check out these pictures by Miriam Quinones.

An Awareness Campaign to Combat Lead Exposure Beyond NYCHA

By EMILY SUZANNE LEVER

The fight against childhood lead exposure is about more than just lead paint. Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday announced his new initiative, LeadFreeNYC, which aims to completely eliminate lead poisoning in children throughout the city. “We mean literal eradication,” said de Blasio, at a news conference alongside health experts at North Central Bronx Hospital in Norwood. Children can experience learning and behavioral problems and delayed physical and mental development due to the toxicity of lead, with children 6 and under being the most vulnerable. To make lead exposure “one of those diseases of the past” requires a deeper look

By SHA-NIA ALSTON

A new no parking zone has been temporarily issued for Jerome Avenue between Woodlawn Cemetery and Shandler Road through Feb. 28 so crews can install a new 72″ Trunk Water Main. The work is part of a major renovation project to improve Norwood’s sewer system. Vehicles found in violation of signage posted in advance by the contractor will be towed to other locations nearby. Sidewalks access may a be temporarily restricted as well. For questions on the no parking zone residents can contact the 52nd Precinct or Community Construction Liaison (CCL) Yoshabelle Desulme direct line at (718) 644 2065.