Safety

City Announces New Measures to Reduce Overdoses, including Rates of 75.3 percent in Hunts Point-Mott Haven

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Mayor Eric Adams and the City’s health commissioner, Dr. Ashwin Vasan, announced new measures to reduce the number of overdoses in New York City on Friday, Aug. 5. They intend to reverse what they said was the staggering increase in overdose deaths since 2020 by expanding access to technology that tests pre-obtained drugs for fentanyl and other possibly lethal substances. The City plans to do this at sites running syringe service programs (SSP) co-located at overdose prevention centers (OPC).   During a recent visit to an SSP and OPC, Adams and Vasan highlighted the use of drug-checking machines, operated by


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Bedford Park: Over 13 Pounds of Heroin/Fentanyl Seized at Drug Packaging Mill

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Two men were arrested in the Bedford Park section of The Bronx in connection with a large-scale heroin/fentanyl packaging and distribution operation, according to an announcement by City prosecutors on Thursday, Aug. 4. A stash of approximately 6 kilograms of narcotics (over 13 pounds), with a street value of at least $1.8 million, was intercepted during a short-term investigation, prosecutors said.   The drugs were allegedly destined for distribution throughout New York City and Massachusetts. Overdose rates in New York City have escalated since the COVID-19 pandemic began, according to the City’s health officials, and are at their highest rates


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Missing Girl, 17, Likely Victim of Sex Trafficking, Located in Wakefield Motel

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition.   A 17-year-old girl, who police say had been reported missing from Brooklyn was located by a nonprofit representative at the Metro Motel in the Wakefield section of The Bronx on Saturday, July 23. The nonprofit representative, whose name we are not disclosing for security reasons, but who spoke with Norwood News directly about the incident, said the teen is a likely sex trafficking victim, one of millions caught up in an estimated, billion-dollar, global industry.   The nonprofit works with victims and survivors


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Heat Advisory in Effect from Aug. 4 at 11 a.m. to Aug. 5 at 8 p.m., Highs of 100 Degrees Possible

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory which will be in effect from 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 4 to Friday, Aug. 5 at 8 p.m.   NWS officials said heat index values indicate that temperatures of around 100 are expected in The Bronx and in all of New York City, with high humidity forecast which may cause heat related illnesses to occur.   Officials said New York City residents should call 311 to identify cooling center locations, and obtain “Beat the Heat” safety tips. They said a heat advisory is issued when the combination of heat and


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UPDATE Project Renewal’s Longtime Venture, Bedford Green House, Officially Opens

By EMILY SAWAKED & SÍLE MOLONEY
The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition.   Nearly 1,500 people are recorded as being homeless every month in The Bronx, according to City data, with many living in shelters located around the borough. According to State Sen. Gustavo Rivera (S.D. 33) and one city agency representative we spoke to, various non-profits, government representatives, elected officials and some candidates running for office have been pushing over many years to reduce these numbers and raise awareness of the homelessness crisis in the city.   One positive result of these sustained local efforts


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UPDATE NWS Issues Thunderstorm Warning & Flood Advisory for Monday, July 25, until 8 p.m.

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for July 25 until 1.15 p.m. for The Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens in New York, and for Essex, Southern Bergen, Northern Union, Eastern Passaic, and Hudson Counties in New Jersey. It has also issued a flood advisory which is in effect until 8 p.m.   NWS officials said at 12.25 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located over East Hanover, or near Caldwell, moving east at 35 mph. There is an expected hazard of 60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail of 0.75 inches, according to the NWS radar.


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Search for Group following Bronx Robbery Pattern in North Bronx

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The NYPD is asking for the public’s help locating four men who are sought for questioning in connection to a series of Bronx robberies that occurred in the confines of the 47th Precinct, which covers Woodlawn, Wakefield, Williamsbridge, Baychester, Edenwald, Olinville, Fishbay, and Woodlawn Cemetery. Regarding Incident 1, it was reported to police that on Monday, June 27, at approximately 6.30 p.m., a 40-year-old male victim was unlocking his moped in front of 711 Magenta Street in Williamsbridge when a group of four men, unknown to the victim, approached him and punched him in the mouth and head.   The


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UPDATE Norwood: Missing 12-Year-Old Boy Found

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The NYPD said a 12-year-old boy reported missing in Norwood has been found.   Prior to being located, police said the boy had last been seen on July 16 at 10.30 p.m. in the vicinity of Bainbridge Avenue and East 207th Street in Norwood. On Sunday, July 24, police confirmed he had been found.      

Jacobi, North Central Bronx Receive Gold Awards for Quality Heart Failure & Stroke Treatment Care

By SÍLE MOLONEY
CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi and North Central Bronx, Christopher Mastromano, announced on Friday, July 22, that both hospitals received gold awards from the American Heart Association (AHA) for their quality treatment of heart failure. Additionally, Jacobi received an award for its quality treatment of stroke conditions.   The Heart Failure Quality Achievement Award honors healthcare facilities for their commitment to improving outcomes for patients with heart failure, which means reduced readmissions and more healthy days at home. Additionally, the Stroke Quality Achievement Award recognizes noteworthy patient care institutions for their commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most


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