In the Bronx, State of the Borough Speech Offers Personal Retrospective

By DAVID CRUZ

Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. threw away the oft-formulaic State of the Borough speech he’s delivered over the last decade for a retrospective of sorts while honoring a who’s who of civic activists, educators, and captains of industry. His penultimate speech at Borough Hall comes a few weeks after announcing he won’t be running for New York City mayor after all. Diaz, 47, told reporters he’s “at peace” with his decision, mentioning that the Bronx certainly has a crop of elected officials ready to pick up the baton. He mentioned by name Assembly Members Marcos Crespo, Michael Blake, Victor Pichardo,

By DAVID CRUZ

The NYPD needs help tracking a suspected burglar who ransacked a locked bedroom in Bedford Park. Police from the 52nd Precinct say the thief entered the bedroom from the victim’s window on Dec. 29, 2019 at around 10:30 a.m. in the area of East 195th Street and Bainbridge Avenue. He then scored some cash from the 28-year-old’s bedroom before taking off. The police offered no official description of the suspect, though it revealed video of the suspected thief taken from inside the bedroom. Anyone with information in regard to the identity of this male is asked to call the

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By HENRY MCEACHERN

New York Attorney General Letitia James broke the seal of an extensive 107-count indictment last Thursday. The indictment charges five individuals for their roles in a gun-and-drug-trafficking scheme operating throughout the Bronx and upper Manhattan. The investigation, dubbed “Operation Iron Empire,” was a joint effort of the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force, the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, and the New York Strike Force–a unit comprised of federal, state, and local law enforcement. “It is a fact, illegal drug trafficking and gun violence threaten the lives of New Yorkers,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan. “

Inquiring Photographer: State of the Bronx

With Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. set to deliver his State of the Borough address on Feb. 20, we asked readers to offer their take on the state of the Bronx. Right now, the main thing I’m concerned about is police actions. Other than that, the Bronx is a good place to live. Yeah, they’re still doing stop and frisk. They stop people for anything: weed, guns. I don’t mind them getting the guns off the street, but stopping everyone is harassment … I do worry about gentrification and that’s scary because it pushes the poor people right out of

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s fourth edition of the Norwood News for 2020 is out with plenty of community stories to read and share. We’ve loaded up 24 pages full of news from this corner of the Bronx, so let’s start with page one! Our top story focuses on a long-awaited project announced by the New York Botanical Garden, which is now entering the residential housing market. The affordable housing residences, with one set aside exclusively to seniors, will soon pop up along Webster Avenue. The area had been rezoned in ten years, clearing the path for projects such as this.

“Save Our City”: de Blasio Outlines Two-Year Agenda in State of the City Address

By HENRY MCEACHERN

Mayor Bill de Blasio delivered his State of the City address yesterday at the American Natural History Museum, framing his points that centered around the theme dubbed “save our city” in a town hall style format. That included promises to expand education, spur small business reform, and create greater affordability. Under the enormous blue whale model inside the American Natural History Museum, de Blasio also focused on creating stronger bonds between the NYPD and young people. Last year, there was an increase in the number of youth-on-youth robberies, with 29 percent of those arrested falling under the age of eighteen,

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Local law enforcement and judicial officials in the Bronx point to the recent uptick in crime borough wide as a sign that aspects of the newly implemented criminal justice reform is making it harder to keep communities safe, following a position repeated from high-ranking NYPD officials. So far this year, the 52nd Precinct has experienced a 113 percent increase in robberies so far this year, 55 percent more grand larcenies, and a 250 percent rise in car break-ins so far this year. Rapes has also risen by 200 percent. Notably, the murder rate remains the same as last year with

Crime File: Fake Undercover Cop Allegedly Robs Teen in the Bronx

By DAVID CRUZ

Fake Cop Robs Boy A month has passed since police were made aware of a 13-year-old robbed by a man pretending to be an undercover cop inside the PC Richard in Fordham. The incident happened on Jan. 3 around 6:42 p.m., according to police, who say the teen was inside the store when he was approached by the fake cop. The victim was told that he was investigating credit card fraud and demanded money from the boy, who complied, giving the man $200. The man is described as being around 45 to 50 years old, standing at six feet, and

The Push to Expand Right to Counsel, Diaz Jr. to Retire: Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The year’s third edition of the Norwood News for 2020 is out with plenty of community stories to read and share. We have packed 28 pages full of news from this corner of the Bronx, so let’s start with page one! Our top story focuses on a bill being championed by Councilman Andrew Cohen and housing advocacy groups that expands Right to Counsel. The act–which provides free legal counsel to those facing eviction–covers those considered extreme low income. New legislation looks to expand the income eligibility standards. Jose A. Giralt breaks it all down for us. Inside the