A Forum on Violent Crime Turns Into Crime Fighting Debate

The recent spike in violent crimes in Fordham/Kingsbridge raised concerns from residents over policing tactics and deployment of resources in the neighborhoods. The September fatal shooting of 24-year-old David Hooks on Briggs Avenue and 194th Street has worried residents and civic leaders as shooting incidents have risen by 27 percent in the 52nd Precinct so far this year. Those concerns were loudly voiced at a recent town hall meeting organized by Councilman Ritchie Torres of the 15th Council District to discuss the violence in the community after Hooks’ shooting just blocks from Fordham University. The motive for the shooting is

The Bronx held its first K2 summit last week with lawmakers and top law enforcement and health officials from all around the state in attendance. NYPD, DEA, FBI and other federal and local officials convened at Jacobi Medical Center to discuss the growing concern and ways in which the sale and usage of synthetic marijuana, more commonly known as K2, in New York can be tackled. With nearly 700 emergency room visits in recent months, usage of K2 has been described as a new health epidemic. The forum’s aim was to come up with a coalition and a plan

By DAVID CRUZ

Community news is alive and well here at the Norwood News, serving up another edition filled with plenty of community news you can use. We take you to Bedford Park first and speculation surrounding investment speculation on Webster Avenue that’s revolving around a tiny piece of property currently occupied by the US Postal Service. Reporter William Mathis digs up what is happening at the post office that’s making residents worry. Going inside the award-winning newspaper, and a story on the Norwood News crunching some numbers on the number of 311 complaints Community Board 7 has logged. The results surprised us. And this

By DAVID CRUZ

It’s still unclear what caused an apartment to go up in flames at a Bedford Park building, which sent tenants rushing out the building. FDNY Captaion Dominic Caleri told the Norwood News the fire began at the fifth floor at 2701 Grand Concourse just before 2 p.m. Nine fire trucks rushed to the scene, finding tenants waiting outside as crews knocked out the fire. One truck utilized its turntable ladder to reach the roof of the building to knock out the blaze. Caleri pointed out no one was in the apartment. Tenants told the Norwood News the occupant of the building was at

Police are on the lookout for the husband of a woman found shot to death inside an SUV in Fordham Heights on Oct. 4. Officers from the 52nd Precinct were called to 2525 Morris Ave., between East 190 and East 192 Street’s near St. James Park, before 7:45 a.m. on Oct. 4, where they discovered the body of a 27 year-old woman in the passenger seat of a gray Chevrolet SUV. Officials later identified the woman as Jennifer Ortiz of Belmont, adding the mother of four had been shot one time in the head and died at the scene. Hours later police released a photo

By DAVID CRUZ

With lawmakers now ramping up efforts to rid synthetic marijuana from the streets, Community Board 7 is once again doing its part by sponsoring a forum on the impact the drug has had on neighborhoods. Synthetic marijuana, also known as K2, has seen a growing number of users across the city, including the Bronx. The substance, packaged as incense, causes severe side effects that are potentially fatal. They are usually sold at bodegas with little to no oversight. Details are still being worked out by CB7 organizers. The first K2 forum by CB7 was held at North Central Bronx Hospital

By DAVID GREENE & DAVID CRUZ

Questions are still lingering over the safety of a sprawling Kingsbridge street that was the scene of four children and two adults struck by a livery taxi cab Wednesday morning. The accident happened during the rush hour. Police say the driver of a taxi cab was traveling southbound on East Kingsbridge Road when he lost control and hit the pedestrians before crashing near a storefront. All victims were rushed to a nearby hospital. Pieces of the vehicle, along with a child’s umbrella, were left behind at the scene. The section of East Kingsbridge Road, leading towards Fordham Road, does

By DAVID CRUZ

Greetings, loyal readers! As expected, the digital edition of the Norwood News is out with, as you guessed it: Plenty of Community News You Can Use! We begin with a story that’s 25 years in the making: pilot access to the Jerome Park Reservoir, long a source of majesty for the Bronx, yet only experienced by a handful. Advocates are pushing, step by step, to grant access to parkgoers who have yearned to take a stroll around the man-made reservoir. Worth a read from our own Adedamola Agboola. Inside, you’ll find a story 76 years in the making: the closing of Freilich

By DAVID CRUZ

Longtime Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson ended his 27-year run as the borough’s top prosecutor, accepting the nomination as a state judge in what many deemed a plot by Bronx Democrats to deliberately replace Johnson with an appellate court judge. Johnson secured an easy primary win for reelection as DA in early September, only to relinquish the seat just a week after. This left it up to the Bronx Democratic County Committee (BDCC) with a legal obligation to find a replacement, which it did at the party’s judicial convention with party favorite Darcel Clarke nominated to replace Johnson. Many political