Crime

UPDATE Bronx Man Charged as Major Drug Trafficker following Seizure of 110 Pounds of Cocaine in Virginia

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York at Manhattan Supreme Court has charged Bronxite, Jose Delacruz, 57, with operating as a major drug trafficker, following the seizure of approximately 110 pounds (50 kilos) of cocaine from a tractor-trailer truck, stopped in Virginia last year. The large load of cocaine was headed towards New York City and carried a street value of at least $1.25 million.   Delacruz was hit with charges of operating as a major trafficker, conspiracy in the second degree, and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first and third


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UPDATE Wakefield: 37-Year-Old Man Arrested After Harassing Female Passenger with Human Feces

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  A 37-year-old man has been arrested following an assault on a woman at East 241st Street subway station in Wakefield, police said.   It was reported to police that on Monday, Feb. 21, at approximately 5.15 p.m., on the southbound platform of the East 241st Street subway station, an unidentified man approached a 43-year-old woman who was sitting on a platform bench, and struck her in the face and in the back of the head with human feces.     He then fled the location in an unknown direction. Photos and a video of the incident are attached.  


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28-Year-Old Man Arrested following Burglary at 52nd Precinct

By SÍLE MOLONEY
A 28-year-old man has been arrested following a burglary and criminal trespassing incident at the 52nd precinct station house in Norwood on Wednesday, Feb. 23.   The NYPD said police were alerted to the man entering a partially-open side window of the precinct building, located at 3016 Webster Avenue at approximately 10.29 p.m. Police officials said officers located inside the precinct observed the man as he gained entry and attempted to walk around the station house. He was subsequently apprehended.   No injuries were incurred as a result of the incident. The man has been identified as Carlos Luciano, 28,


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New Protections for Domestic Workers Under NYC Human Rights Law Take Effect March 12

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  The New York City Commission on Human Rights announced that, effective March 12, New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL) employment protections will apply to all domestic workers, including nannies, home care workers, housecleaners, and any other worker who is employed in a home providing childcare, eldercare, companionship, or housekeeping services in New York City. Most full-time and part-time workers are covered.   The commission provided a list of frequently asked questions for workers and their employers, covering different areas of employment and how the new protections affect them.   Hiring and References 1. Can an employer run a


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ConEd Responds to Reports of Higher-than-Average Bills This Month

By JULIAN NAZAR, SÍLE MOLONEY & DAVID GREENE
  The following is an extended version of the story that recently appeared in our latest print edition. Was your ConEd bill higher than average this month? Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) has asked residents to check. The lawmaker wrote, in a recent social media post, that Con Edison reported that bill increases are due to high demand for natural gas in winter, plus price fluctuations in the energy market. Meanwhile, she said local elected officials have asked the company to review its billing practices and improve its purchasing practices of natural gas. Norwood News recently interviewed a number of local


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Norwood: Search for Man following Bottle Assault on Security Worker

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The NYPD is asking for the public’s help identifying the person seen in the attached photograph who is sought in connection to an assault that occurred in Norwood.   It was reported to police that on Saturday, Feb. 19, at approximately 2 a.m., in front of Mar & Tierra, a restaurant and bar located at 3236 Bainbridge Avenue, a 30-year-old male victim, working as security for the business, was approached by another man who was exiting the location.   The man struck the victim with a glass bottle, causing a laceration to his right eye and face. The victim suffered


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Nonprofit Fighting Back Against Human Trafficking Opens New Office in The Bronx

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  Freedom Youth Family Justice Center Inc., a nonprofit organization founded in 2019, which provides support to people, particularly youth, affected by human trafficking and domestic violence, recently opened a new office in The Bronx, located at 555 West 235th Street, in Riverdale.   The organization runs a number of programs, one of which is the Young Adult Discovery (YAD) program. This serves victims and survivors of human trafficking and prostitution aged 12-17, who are seeking a holistic approach to making positive changes in their lives by providing tools and support for those re-entering society.   Norwood News has reported


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Fordham University Appoints its First Lay Person President in 181 Years, Tania Tetlow

By SARAH HUFFMAN
Fordham University announced on Feb. 10, via a Zoom conference, that Tania Tetlow will become the 33rd president of the University. Tetlow will become both the first woman and the first lay-person to lead the university in its 181-year history, when she assumes the role in summer, ahead of the new academic year.   “I am thrilled beyond measure that the search committee, with all of its engagement from faculty and students, and the board itself has chosen me to do this,” Tetlow said. “I will give absolutely everything I have to doing it well,” she added.   Robert D.


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on Subway Safety

By DAVID GREENE
This week, amid the mayor’s plan to remove people experiencing homelessness and who have mental health issues from the subway system, we asked readers if they felt safe riding the subway.   “I take the subway. Sometimes, I feel safe, depending on the time of day. I think they’re making efforts; I’ve been watching the news recently. I think they’ve made long-term efforts, but as of today, I think the police are relaxed when it comes to looking at potential perpetrators [of crime]. I think they can strengthen their efforts and can use more soft training skills in interacting with the


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