Criminal Justice

Elections 2023: Democratic CM Marjorie Velázquez Concedes District 13 Race to Republican Kristy Marmorato

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Democratic District 13 City Council Member Marjorie Velázquez conceded the general election in her district held Nov. 7 to her Republican opponent, Kirsty Marmorato, on Thursday, Nov. 9. As reported, Marmorato had a narrow lead on Velázquez on Election Night at poll closure with 49.97 percent of the vote to Velázquez’s 49.25 percent, but a few hours later, with 98.33 percent of voting scanners returned, Marmorato’s lead had stretched to 52.46 percent (6,571 votes) to Velázquez’s 46.81 percent (5,863 votes), based on Election Day and early votes. The Republican candidate who ran a campaign based on quality of life and public safety concerns, declared victory in the race later that night.

UPDATE “Kill Jews” Antisemitic (Darker) Graffiti Seen Once Again in Norwood

By SÍLE MOLONEY
A white van spray painted in red with the words “Kill Jews” was seen on Jerome Avenue in Norwood on Tuesday, Nov. 7 [Election Day]. It is the second such display of antisemitic vandalism seen in the neighborhood in the space of about a week, and a month after the Hamas terrorist group attacked Southern Israel on Oct. 7, causing an immediate shelling and ground invasion of the Gaza Strip by Israeli defense forces.

Concourse: 11 Bronxites Arrested & Charged after $4M Active Fentanyl Packaging Mill is Dismantled

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Up to 400,000 packages of suspected fentanyl/heroin, plus quantities of loose powdered narcotics, carrying an estimated street value of $4 million were recovered by law enforcement on Wednesday, Nov. 1, during the disruption of an active drug packaging mill operation in the Concourse section of The Bronx. The seizure was part of an ongoing investigation into fentanyl trafficking in New York City, federal, state and local law enforcement officials said.

East Bronx: One Arrested, One Sought for Armed Robbery

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The New York City Police Department is asking for the public’s help identifying the person seen in the attached photo who they say is sought in connection to a local robbery pattern identified in the East Bronx.

UPDATE Elections 2023: Sparks Fly at District 13 BronxNet Debate over Upzoning, Public Safety & Endorsements

By SÍLE MOLONEY
It was Halloween [Oct. 31] and you could pretty much cut the atmosphere with a knife by the end of the BronxNet debate held between the two candidates running in the upcoming general election on Nov. 7 in City Council District 13. Moderator extraordinaire Gary Axelbank had his work cut out for him as he tried to sign off during the recording of the debate at BronxNet’s Lehman College studio in Bedford Park, while Democratic incumbent City Council Member Marjorie Velázquez and Republican and Conservative candidate Kristy Marmorato continued to talk over one other, each with allegations of nepotism.