Nooses Found in Van Cortlandt Park, NYPD Determine No Hate Crime, Advocates Call for Investigation

By Síle Moloney

Police said that on Thursday night, Jun. 18, 2020, the Commanding Officer of the 50th precinct responded to a report from the grove part of Van Cortland Park further to the discovery of what was believed to have been one or more nooses hanging from trees in the park, prompting fears of a hate crime. The NYPD said that upon arrival, the Commanding Officer observed a nylon string that is often used to hang piñatas hanging from a tree branch. Upon further investigation, it was determined that there had been a party at the location earlier and the incident was

By Síle Moloney

NYC parents and educators will convene and present ideas for re-opening schools tomorrow Saturday, Jun. 20, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at a conference entitled, Sharing Ideas & Solutions for Reopening Schools: The Path Forward. The event will be held remotely, co-sponsored by Class Size Matters, NYC Kids PAC, and Community Education Councils from Districts 4, 8 (Bronx), 14, 17 and 32. During this conference, NYC parents, guardians, teachers and concerned New Yorkers will discuss and develop proposals around the reopening of schools in the fall and present them to invited decision-makers. If schools are to reopen, it

By Síle Moloney

Today, Jun. 19, as the country celebrates Juneteenth, the oldest nationally-celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that Juneteenth would become an official City and school holiday. The mayor also announced additional steps the City is taking to address disparities and structural racism that have been exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the creation of a new commission to understand the effects of structural and institutional racism in New York City. The Racial Justice and Reconciliation Commission (RRC) will be established to promote social learning,

By David Greene

As the Black Lives Matter movement continues with protests entering a fourth week in cities across America in response to the May 25th death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, individual cities are looking into their own practices and policies regarding the use of force, and are coming to grips with racial disparities within their own units. On Friday, Jun. 5, 2020, nearly 300 demonstrators gathered at Poe Park in Kingsbridge and marched to the Bronx County Courthouse where several speakers described what they said was a peaceful protest the previous night along Third Avenue in the South Bronx.

By Síle Moloney

On Thursday, June 18, 2020 at 5:45 p.m., Jeremy Rivera, 38, an off-duty FDNY firefighter was arrested and charged with assault within the confines of the 43rd precinct. No further information about the arrest location is known. The 43rd precinct covers four primary commercial strips – Westchester Avenue, Castle Hill Avenue, White Plains Road and Parkchester.

Bedford Park: Police Appeal to Identify Robbery Suspect

By Síle Moloney

The New York City Police Department is asking the public’s assistance identifying the individual shown in the attached surveillance video who is wanted for questioning in connection to a robbery that occurred within the confines of the 52nd precinct. On Sunday, June 7, 2020 at 7:40 a.m., in front of 246 East 199th Street, an 80-year-old male victim was walking when an unidentified individual approached him from behind and attempted to forcibly remove his backpack. The victim resisted and fell to the ground. The male dragged the victim until he released the backpack and fled eastbound on 199th Street

By Síle Moloney

Bronx Community Board 8 will be holding its virtual Traffic and Transportation Committee meeting tonight, Thursday, Jun. 18, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom, during which a request for a permit for a new farmer’s market will be presented and discussed. The sponsor of the proposed JBOLC Garden Community Farmer’s Market is James Baldwin Outdoor Learning Center, Inc, and the entity plans to apply to the Street Activity Permit Office for a permit to operate a farmer’s market each Saturday from Aug. 8, 2020 through Oct. 31, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The applicant is requesting

By Síle Moloney

The New York City Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the individuals depicted in the attached video and photographs in connection to a burglary which took place within the confines of the 52nd Precinct. It was reported to police that on Tuesday Jun. 2, 2020, at approximately 1:30 a.m., at 3137 Grand Concourse (Friendly Pharmacy), individuals gained entry to the location by forcing open a rear window. Once inside, the individuals removed approximately $5,000 worth of prescription medication. They later fled the scene in an unknown direction. The individuals are described as males with

By Síle Moloney

On Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at approximately 10:41 p.m., police responded to a 911 call of a male stabbed inside of 20 Richman Plaza in apartment #22F within the confines of the 46th precinct. Upon arrival, officers observed a 38-year-old male with multiple stab wounds about the body. EMS responded to the location and transported the victim to BronxCare Health System, where he was pronounced deceased. A 28-year-old male was taken into custody from the scene and the investigation remains ongoing. Pursuant to the ongoing investigation, the deceased, whose family has been notified, has been identified as Shadeed