Crime

NYC Parks Kicks Off the 2022 Outdoor Pool Season

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue joined Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, Assembly Member Harvey Epstein (A.D. 74), State Sen. Brian Kavanagh (A.D. 26), Manhattan Council Member Carlina Rivera (C.D.2), along with local kids and community members on Tuesday, June 28, to celebrate the start of the outdoor pool season at Hamilton Fish Pool on the Lower East Side in Manhattan.   “It’s time to make a splash: New York City’s outdoor pools are open for the season!” said Donoghue. “Our pools are popular summer destinations for so many New Yorkers, and we’re happy to provide these free places to


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Norwood: Police Search for Gunman Following Non Fatal Shooting

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  The New York City Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating the individual and vehicle seen in the attached video in connection to a burglary that occurred in Norwood, located in the 52nd precinct.   Police officials said, “On Tuesday, June 28, at approximately 7.59 a.m., in front of 3572 Dekalb Avenue, an unknown individual on a motorized scooter recklessly displayed a firearm and discharged it in the direction of an unknown victim walking at the location. No injuries or property damage have been reported at this time.”   Anyone with information in regard to this


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UPDATE Primary Election Night 2022 All Unofficial Bronx Results: George Alvarez Leads in A.D. 78

By SÍLE MOLONEY
After polls closed on Election Night, Tuesday, June 28, on the first of two separate Primary Election Days being held in 2022 due to redistricting, New York City Board of Elections released the initial, unofficial results in the races for governor, lieutenant governor and State Assembly, as well as in the following Bronx races: Delegate to Judicial Convention Alternate Delegate to Judicial Convention Female State Committee Male State Committee Female District Leader Male District Leader County Committee   Absentee and overseas ballots still have to be counted.   The biggest surprise of the night was that in the Democratic primary


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Bronx Man Charged with Alleged Rape, Kidnapping and Sex Trafficking of Teen

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Tuesday, June 28, that a Bronx man was charged with alleged kidnapping, sex trafficking and selling teen girls for sex, along with rape charges for the alleged attack of a 14-year-old girl.   According to the investigation by the NYPD and the prosecution’s case, on April 28, officers were searching for a missing 14-year-old at Hotel 95, located at 1275 Pugsley Avenue in Soundview section of The Bronx. Hotel staff informed investigators the missing teen was allegedly last seen in a hotel room with the defendant, Shamel Jones, AKA Shy, 25.  


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Biaggi Introduces Legislation to Target the Sale and Distribution of Semi-Automatic Rifles

By SÍLE MOLONEY
State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi (S.D. 34) introduced legislation S9481 on Tuesday, June 28, to allow a private right of action against individuals, firms, corporations, or associations who manufacture, distribute, or sell semi-automatic rifles, including AR-15 style semi automatic rifles, in New York State. New Yorkers will be legally permitted to bring cases against those who allow semi-automatic rifles to enter New York communities with deadly consequences.   Biaggi, who represents parts of The Bronx and Westchester counties, and who is currently running for Congress in New York’s 17th congressional, issued the following statement following the bill’s introduction. “Our nation’s deadliest shootings,


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Off-Duty NYPD Sergeant Arrested for Assault in The Bronx

By SÍLE MOLONEY
An off-duty, NYPD sergeant has been arrested in the Bronx’s 45th precinct. On Tuesday, June 28, at 6.58 a.m., Gregory Smith, 42, was charged with strangulation, assault, and harassment.   Smith is assigned to the 41st precinct in The Bronx which serves Hunts Point and Longwood. According to his file, he became a police officer in 2011 and was promoted to sergeant in November 2020.   Under disciplinary history, a note in his file reads, “This officer does not have any applicable entries.”   A person arrested and charged with a crime is deemed innocent unless and until convicted in a court


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UPDATE Elections 2022: Dinowitz, Altagracia Woolford Tussle over Housing, Public Safety, Campaign Financing & More

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81) and challenger and mutual aid organizer, Jessica Altagracia Woolford, who was recovering from a recent bout of COVID-19, discussed their positions on the priorities for voters in Assembly District 81 on Tuesday, June 21, during a debate aired on BronxNet, hosted by Gary Axelbank, and co-sponsored by Norwood News, the League of Women Voters, City Limits and The Bronx Times. Both candidates will be on the ballot in the upcoming Democratic Primary on Tuesday, June 28.   On the question of candidate experience, Dinowitz, who has represented the district since 1994, spoke to the fact that


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UPDATE Elections 2022: Jessica Altagracia Woolford Says Politics is not Binary

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  Editor’s Note: In a previous version of this story, it was stated incorrectly that a donation of $405 to the campaign for Jessica Altagracia Woolford came from Ivet Contreras, spokesperson for Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14). In fact, the donation was from Ivan Contreras from Brooklyn, unaffiliated with the congresswoman. We apologize sincerely for this error.    Jessica Altagracia Woolford is running for office in Assembly District 81 in the June 28 primaries. Growing up in Kingsbridge, she is a community organizer who has previously worked for the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s office, and has


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UPDATE State Prompts School Silent Alarm Proposal as Federal Gun Laws & School Camera Debate Continue

By EDWIN J. VIERA, New York News Connection & SÍLE MOLONEY
Gov. Kathy Hochul approved a new law requiring schools to consider installing a silent, panic-alarm system on Thursday, June 23. Approval of what’s known as “Alyssa’s Law” comes in the wake of several mass shootings, which have made many elected officials consider more strict gun safety and school safety laws.   Andy Pallotta, president of New York State United Teachers, believes the new provision in school safety plans will quell some of the anxiety students and teachers feel about whether they can be safe in the classroom. “Well, I think that we are in a position where we support anything


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