Norwood Neighbors for Racial Justice Pen Open Letter to City Officials Calling to Defund NYPD

By Síle Moloney

Following a historic week of legislative reform aimed at addressing racial injustice and inequality at both City and State level, a group of about 50 local residents gathered peacefully at Williamsbridge Oval Park in Norwood on Friday Jun. 19 for a kid-friendly Juneteenth celebration in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Norwood Neighbors for Racial Justice and allies is an unofficial, local group recently formed and spearheaded by four local, multiracial women, Miriam Neptune, Jatnna Ramirez, Carissa Smith and Pam Sporn. In addition to organizing the Juneteenth event, the first of its kind in Norwood, the group

By Síle Moloney

Following the conclusion of an internal investigation, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Jun. 26 that 17 uniformed Department of Correction staff will be charged for their conduct surrounding the death of 27-year-old trans woman, Layleen Polanco, at Rikers Island in June 2019. As reported recently by Norwood News, Polanco, according to earlier reports, was arrested for allegedly assaulting a cab driver and for possession of a controlled substance, and was being held at Rikers Island on a $500 bail. She died on Jun. 7, 2019 following an epileptic seizure, according to a medical examiner. She had been

By Síle Moloney

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Jun. 25, 2020 that 26 alleged Trinitario gang members, who are current or former Rikers Island inmates, have been indicted for multiple stabbings, and other acts of violence in jail, following a joint investigation by her office, Homeland Security Investigations and the New York City Department of Correction’s Correction Intelligence Bureau, with assistance from the New York City Department of Investigation. Clark said, “During their time in Rikers Island, these defendants allegedly conspired and engaged in numerous slashings and stabbings that caused grievous wounds. They allegedly carried out

By Síle Moloney

The New York City Police Department is asking the public’s assistance identifying the individual shown in the attached video who is wanted for questioning in connection with a commercial burglary that occurred within the confines of the 52nd precinct. On Monday, Jun. 22, 2020 at approximately 8:00 p.m., inside 62 West Fordham Road (telecommunications store), an unidentified male gained entry through the roof of the building. Once inside, the man removed $1,500 and approximately $25,000 worth of cell phones and accessories before fleeing in unknown direction. Anyone with information with regard to the identity of this

By Síle Moloney

On Jul. 25, three survivors of solitary confinement, along with members of the Coalition for Women Prisoners, other survivors, family members and allies will hold demonstrations across New York State to demand an end to what survivors call the racist and deadly torture of solitary confinement. Kevin Mays, campaigner for #HALTsolitary, Leonard Thomas of VOCAL-NY and Lady Kathryn Williams-Julien, along with their supporters and activists will be calling on Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, and Speaker Carl E. Heastie to enact the HALT Solitary Confinement Act, with immediate effect. Activists say that solitary confinement has killed

By Síle Moloney

On Wednesday, Jun. 24, Police Commissioner Dermot Shea announced a series of personnel changes at the New York City Police Department. In the statement, the announcements were described as key to positioning the agency for 21st century policing, by strengthening the bonds between officers and residents. Chief Jeffrey B. Maddrey, the longtime chief of the NYPD’s Patrol Borough Brooklyn North, is being promoted to the position of chief of community affairs at a moment of historic importance in police-community relations. At the same time, Shea announced that Chief Nilda Irizarry Hofmann would be designated chief of transportation, to

By David Greene

Eighteen days after rioters burned and looted dozens of stores in the Fordham Heights and Kingsbridge sections of the Bronx, police say three men have been charged with the daylight burglary of Modell’s Sporting Goods on East Fordham Road, a store that had closed due to bankruptcy on Apr. 15 following a period of poor sales, and the statewide PAUSE order which went into effect in March. According to NYPD spokeswoman, Detective Sophia Mason, the burglary was reported at 9:22 a.m. on Friday, Jun. 19. “Officers responded to a burglary at 270 East Fordham Road in the confines of

By Síle Moloney

The Office of the New York Attorney General has received a number of calls from New Yorkers reporting unemployment insurance benefits fraud. On Jun. 24, 2020, Attorney General Letitia James issued a press release warning people about new, recently reported scams using New Yorkers’ personal information to file fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits. “We must remain vigilant about potential scams and ensure residents remain alert,” James said. “During these uncertain times, unemployment benefits are a safety net for many individuals and families who have lost their jobs. To exploit the use of these funds and overload a system

Twin Children Die After Left in Car for Hours, Father Taken Into Custody

By Síle Moloney & David Greene

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Jun. 23 that Juan Rodriguez of Rockland County has been sentenced to a one-year Conditional Discharge after pleading guilty to second-degree Reckless Endangerment charges in the deaths of his one-year-old twins. According to the investigation, on the morning of July 26, 2019, Rodriguez drove to 130 West Kingsbridge Road while his one-year-old twins, Luna Rodriguez and Phoenix Rodriguez, sat in their car seats in the backseat row of his Honda sedan. Rodriguez arrived at his job at the James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center at 8:22 A.M. and