Traffic Twister on Webster Avenue

TRAFFIC IS A jumbled mess at the intersection of East Gun Hill Road and Webster Avenue…or as the neighborhood calls it, Friday! The jumbled mess is a typical Friday at this stretch in working class Norwood. Residents have long demanded traffic-calming measures at the strip.Photo by David Cruz

52nd Precinct CO Moves On, Reassigned to One Police Plaza

By JASMINE GOMEZ

Inspector Nilda Hofmann of the 52nd Precinct announced a reassignment from the Five-Two precinct after more than two years on the job. “It’s bittersweet,” said Hofmann, making her announcement at Community Board 7’s general board meeting April 21. Her news was met with loud sighs and a resounding “no” from CB7 chair, Adaline Walker-Santiago. “It’s been two plus years but I wanted to thank everybody here,” continued Hofmann, who was given a standing ovation from attendees at the meeting. Hofmann began her tour at the 52nd Precinct in 2013, having replaced the previous inspector, Joseph Dowling. Hofmann began her career with the

Hello Loyal Readers! The ninth edition of the Norwood News, covering community news you can use, is out, hitting over 300 locations throughout Norwood and its surrounding neighborhoods. Of course, we begin in Norwood, at the enormous Tracey Towers. There, residents are supporting a proposal to review the books of its management company’s $40 million renovation. Read why the tenants association are backing an audit proposal. We then recap a meeting involving Norwood’s community stakeholders and the Bangladeshi community. Aldo Perez organized the meeting. Learn why he believes crimes against Bangladeshis and Muslims are under-reported. There’s also a piece on the story

The authorities swept in at dawn. At the end, 120 people were rounded up for a litany of offenses affiliated with gang life. It’s now purported as the largest gang takedown in the history of the city, and in the Bronx. The NYPD led the raid at Eastchester Gardens on April 27, with authorities from the Department of Homeland Security. They went into various apartments, cuffing suspects linked to the 2Fly YGz street gang, a subdivision of the Young Gunnaz. Another group of suspects belonged to the Big Money Bosses gang, considered a rival of the Young Gunnaz. A long list of charges include

By DAVID CRUZ

There wasn’t quite much talk on bias incidents aimed at a forum for the Bangladeshi community. Instead, the meeting morphed into an information session with a message in mind: the community at large is here to help. The gathering was the brainchild of Aldo Perez, a community activist, who sought to bring representatives from the NYPD, Bronx District Attorney’s office, local Community Board 7, Public Advocate’s office, and the state Assembly Speaker’s office to introduce themselves and the powers each office brings. Two-dozen guests from the Bangladeshi community were at the meeting hearing from representatives. Norwood has seen an ever-growing

By DAVID CRUZ

Developers of the Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC) have shot down a deal with the city allowing them access to the vacant Kingsbridge Armory while their lease remains in escrow, among other things. The development came roughly a week after the city reached out to local and state elected leaders to support its new compromise that remains on the table. In a two-page letter emailed to the media before KNIC saw it, New York City Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen offered developers entry into the armory, with the lease still in escrow, so it can begin some major asbestos removal work. Glen,

By DANIELA BEASLEY

Commuters in Norwood can expect transit and pedestrian safety improvements along the Webster Avenue Bx41 Select Bus Service route now that the city green-lit a contractor to complete the project. The project is building on already completed upgrades that include one lane dedicated to buses and pockets of pedestrian islands that pepper the thoroughfare. Services included in the renovations are real-time bus arrival information and additional shelters and seating. Construction will take place between East 205th Street in Norwood and East 165rd Street in Claremont Village with a sidewalk extension on the East side of Webster Avenue between East 194th

This week we asked readers who they would consider voting for in the upcoming presidential primaries set for April 19 in New York State. I think that Donald Trump would be a fine president. Donald Trump is the right man for the right job. We need Mr. Trump as President of the United States of America. Phillip Daniel Chandler Norwood I wish Hillary Clinton would be president. She will help with the job situation and with Social Security benefits and housing. I think she’s more for the people. I’m praying that Donald Trump doesn’t become president. I don’t

By VIVIAN CARTER

New York City’s trendy downtown culture visited the Bronx on April 2, as the Mobile Unit of Joseph Papp’s celebrated Public Theater presented the classic play by William Shakespeare, Romeo & Juliet, at Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center. Obie Award winner Lear deBessonet directed the production, described in the program as “the classic tale of star-cross’d lovers caught between the world outside the bedroom window and passion as boundless as the sea.” The starring roles of Romeo and Juliet were played by Sheldon Best and Ayana Workman. The small indoor venue at the Oval was booked well in advance, with over