Inquiring Photographer: Race Relations

This week we asked readers their thoughts on race relations in America on the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It had gotten a little better, but we still have a long ways to go. Quality of life is everything for everyone to have. But now with the first openly racist president–there’s probably been others before him–but he’s just hitting the hammer on the nail as they say. I definitely have hope that people can walk hand in hand, no matter their color. We’re all human beings and we all bleed and we should be

By DAVID CRUZ

Democrats in the Albany Senate are looking forward to April 16 when Bronx Senator Jeff Klein, who as head of the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) had caucused with Republicans for years, and will now caucus with his counterparts after agreeing to disband the IDC. The IDC wielded some of the greatest political power in Albany for nearly six years when Klein formed it in 2011 as a way to fix Albany dysfunction. Its largest criticism came when the group—comprised of eight Democratic senators—routinely caucused with Republicans, effectively broadening the IDC’s and Republicans’ influence on legislation. But with a critical November

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

In the wake of the Trump administration’s plan to ask Americans about their citizenship status in the 2020 census, city officials say answering the question is actually a way of fighting back. On April 3, J. Phillip Thompson, New York City Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives; Marisa Lago, director of the City Department of City Planning; and Bitta Mostofi, Acting Commissioner for the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, spoke at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism’s Center for Community & Ethnic Media to discuss the impact of the Trump administration’s latest move, which they say is politically motivated. Thompson,

A Tour of Bailey Houses Comes Amid NYCHA Changes

By DAVID CRUZ

Teisha Jones shows no signs of stopping her quest to increase the standard of living at her building managed by the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), the beleaguered agency that recently received a rare $550 million infusion of state funds and the resignation of its CEO. Jones has taken on NYCHA before, with a Bronx jury awarding a $57 million judgment against NYCHA for failing to inspect her apartment at Fort Independence Houses for lead. Conditions left her four-year-old daughter developmentally delayed. Jones’s daughter had lead levels 10 times the normal rate. She’s since left Fort Independence Houses,

“D” Train Robbery Three people remain on the run for allegedly attacking and robbing a woman inside the Kingsbridge Road “D” subway station on March 12. The incident transpired at 3:30 p.m., when two men and one woman approached the 34-year-old female victim. In a bizarre exchange, one of the men accused the victim of stealing his pizza and kicked her in the leg, causing her to drop her phone. The male perpetrator began to walk away, but sped up and ran off away as well. The man who initiated the assault is described as 6”3, black, and between 25

By DAVID GREENE & DAVID CRUZ

A crowd of more than 200 community residents turned out for a public safety forum organized by Congressman Adriano Espaillat of the 13th Congressional District and held on April 3 at Our Lady of Refuge Church on East 196th Street in Bedford Park. The event brought NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill, whose attempts at forging stronger community relations prompted him to hold open forums. Topics covered in the more than two-hour meeting included gangs, crime, the local opioid epidemic that’s crushing Bedford Park and Fordham. The meeting was held within the 52nd Precinct, covering Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham, Kingsbridge, Kingsbridge Heights

SEE PICTURES: Spring Egg Hunt at Oval Park

Ready, set, hunt! Families came in droves to Williamsbridge Oval Park for the annual Spring Egg Hunt on March 31. Major sponsors included Mosholu Preservation Corporation, New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, Montefiore Health System, and Friends of the Williamsbridge Oval. Check out these great photos of the family-friendly event by José A. Giralt

Torres Plugs Free Tax Service, Warns Against Predatory Tax Preparers

Torres Plugs Free Tax Service Warns Against Predatory Tax Prepararers

The warning from Councilman Ritchie Torres was dire: take advantage of his office’s free tax preparation service or risk being exploited by a predatory tax preparer. “Residents of the Bronx paid hundreds of dollars of their own pockets for tax prep services that we provide for free,” said Torres, standing outside his Hofmann Street office to plug the service by Urban Upbound, which has prepared taxes at the office for four years. “And so no longer do residents have to subject themselves to predatory tax prep.” With an April 17 tax preparation deadline looming, Torres urged locals to take advantage of his

New Organics Rules for Food Establishments Takes Effect in August

By MARTIKA ORNELLA

Changes to organic waste recycling rules this summer are set to impact some food businesses. The city Sanitation Department is now mandating businesses with a floor area of at least 15,000 square feet, chain food service stores with 100 or more locations in the city, and retail food stores with a floor area of at least 25,000 square feet must separate organic waste from garbage. The new rules take effect on Aug. 15. Organic waste usually includes vegetable and fruit debris, bones, eggshells, food-soiled paper, and garden waste. Businesses already affected by the rules as of July 19, 2016 include