As Flock Vows to Reinstate Bishop Jenik, Clergyman Offers Thanks in Exile

By DAVID GREENE

Forced to leave his church after 40 years of service to the Bedford Park and Kingsbridge communities after allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a minor decades ago, Bishop John Jenik offered thanks to some 300 supporters who held a rally in his honor–during a video call on a cellphone. Jenik, 74, was removed from Our Lady of Refuge after leading the church for more than 30 years. Jenik was named parochial vicar of Our Lady of Refuge on Briggs Avenue by Cardinal Terrence Cooke in 1978, and later named vicar of the Northwest Bronx by Cardinal Edward Egan in

By DAVID CRUZ

The 52nd Precinct has a new commanding officer, a month after the previous commanding officer hinted at potential changes. The change was effective at midnight, and made official on the precinct’s active Twitter account. Deputy Inspector Thomas Alps is the new commanding officer of the Five-Two precinct, succeeding Inspector Peter Fiorillo. Fiorillo was commanding officer of the precinct for a little over two years, replacing Chief Nilda Hofmann. According to the NYPD’s website, Alps was the commanding officer of the local 49th Precinct covering the East Bronx. Alps replaced Keith Walton, who was accused and vindicated in a case of official

By MARINA KOPF of WFUV

The Norwood News, WFUV Radio and BronxNet Television continue their five-part series on the impact of gangs in New York City. Kareem Nelson used to live what he calls the “street life.” He was involved in gang-like groups, sold marijuana and participated in gun violence. A gunshot wound paralyzed Nelson, but he still continued to work the streets. It wasn’t until after he did a stint in prison and was in a situation where he was forced to beg for his life, that he made the decision to change. In 2014, he created Wheelchairs Against Guns, using his experiences to

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

COMMUNITY BOARD 7 will hold its general board meeting on Nov. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at North Central Bronx Hospital, 3424 Kossuth Ave. The following CB7 committee meetings will take place at the board office, 229A E. 204th St., unless otherwise noted: joint meeting of Public Safety & Quality of Life and Sanitation Committees on Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.; Housing, Land Use & Zoning Committee on Nov. 13; Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Committee on Nov. 14; Budget, Personnel & Ethics Committee on Nov. 19; Executive Committee on Nov. 20; and Health & Human Services Committee on Nov. 20.

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers! The Norwood News is out with its latest edition covering Bronx communities. With 24 pages packed into this paper let’s get into the coverage! The front page focuses on the longstanding issue of mailbox fishing. The practice has become the ire of the NYPD, now trying to curb it with a new offensive. The Norwood News interviewed the lead cop at the 52nd Precinct behind the initiative. We also have an editorial on the NYPD’s tough task. The paper also has results on the General Election. The outcomes made the September primary official with some new faces going

Past and present faces of the Norwood News came to break bread and hail the paper’s 30-year milestone with a celebration at Lehman College on Nov. 1. The event drew roughly 130 guests to the college’s Faculty Dining Room in the Music Building, which included an awards program and keynote address by Errol Louis of NY1. Opening the ceremony was Jennifer Tausig, executive director of Mosholu Preservation Corporation (MPC), the not-for-profit that produces the Norwood News. Dr. José Luis Cruz, president of Lehman College, and Dr. Peter Semczuk, executive director of Montefiore Health System’s Moses Campus, spoke of the paper’s

It’s difficult to quantify the large amounts of money lost from mailbox fishing, the subject of our front page story. The problem is not new. Mailbox fishing has victimized scores of people who depend on the mail to send out their rent check, money orders for utilities, or even a gift card for a loved one. Yet, it hasn’t abated, and the NYPD continues to face a tough task in nailing mailbox fishers. The NYPD could be helped in curbing this kind of fraud that’s blanketed the Bronx. Yet, when reading that a bank won’t give up surveillance video of

Five-Two Part of New Major Offensive Against Mailbox Fishers

By JOSEPH KONIG

Crime Prevention Officer Frank Pacella has spent much of the last few weeks visiting at least 60 U.S. Postal Service (USPS) mailboxes within the 52nd Precinct. At each stop, Pacella pulls out a clipboard and jots down the locations of nearby security cameras he’s spotted. The initiative is the most recent step taken by the NYPD to combat mail fishing, a tactic thieves use to steal checks and commit identity fraud. The order came down from the NYPD’s Crime Prevention Division ahead of the start of the holiday season, when rates of mailbox fishing and other mail fraud typically increase.

By NORWOOD NEWS

A person was stabbed just before 7 a.m. on Nov. 6 by East Gun Hill Road and Wayne Avenue, according to paramedics. It’s unclear what sparked the stabbing, though paramedics arrived at 6:53 a.m. and transported the victim to Montefiore. It’s unclear what condition the victim was in.