Shop and Frisk: Teens’ Perspective

The eyes glare, a subtle pursuit ensues, and the idea of feeling unwanted results. That’s often the experience of a Bronx teen shopping any store, as clerks and managers cast a layer of suspicion on teens who simply browse about a store. “Every time I go to 10 Spot with my friends, I am followed by store personnel and I am given rude looks,” said Kiana Carter, 15, about the women’s clothing store. “I feel pressured, nervous and feel as though they do not trust me and I am not supposed to be there.” When Kiana goes to the Soundview

Isis Zavala said she specifically chose Hostos Lincoln Academy of Science as her top high school pick for its open campus policy on lunch. Plus, she liked the freedom of being on the Hostos Community College campus, where the school had once resided. It seemed like the perfect fit. But the summer before she started, the school moved into the Lola Rodriguez De Tio building that’s nearly a mile away. Now that students are co-located with three other schools, they say they lack space, freedom and extracurricular activities. They are dissatisfied and haven’t seen any positive effects. Grisselle Romero, 16,

The Williamsbridge Oval Park Recreation Center has made a comeback and the city Parks Department has taken it to a new level by introducing a computer lab for the community. The computer lab found in the second floor of the granite building is new to the recreation center, but has already become one of the more popular spaces. The lab holds eights PCs, thanks to the Parks Department‘s partnership with New York Public Library. The Computer Resource Center manages the free lab, giving computer access to kids and teens so they can keep up with their schoolwork. But on

When Stop and Frisk Compromises Teen Expression

by Quedus Babalola On a recent Friday night dinner date with her girlfriend, Sam Rodriguez was constantly irritated by her itchy bra. The 16-year-old Mt. Eden local reminded herself that wearing this undergarment was the most painful thing she’s done. Sam, a transgender female, learned this after being stopped on her way home that night. She was with her girlfriend when a cop demanded she stand against the wall while he searched her. Sam’s girlfriend stood by and cried at what she was seeing–a stop and frisk encounter. Sam said she felt like she did something wrong – that

Bronx News Roundup: January 12-18

Lots of fun stuff happening around this great borough, and the Bronx News Roundup is here to highlight them all. Of course, for the sake of unity, all Bronx papers covered the guilty verdict for disgraced FORMER Assemblyman Eric Stevenson for accepting bribes in exchange for writing legislation that would have benefitted developers of a two senior centers in the Bronx. Stevenson’s conviction could net him nearly 55 years in prison. Another sad tale to a once promising career. It’s unclear whether a special election will take place for his 79th Assembly District seat. Bob Kappstatter at The Bronx Times

The Bronx Needs Big Brothers and Big Sisters

by David Cruz From Norwood to Westchester Square, the need for a person to look up is the strongest in the Bronx when compared to the rest of the city, according to Big Brothers Big Sisters. The national volunteer group, which has spent the last 110 years partnering well-respected adult role models with adolescents, has kick-started a lofty recruitment effort, hoping to entice Bronxites to donate time and become “Bigs.”

Former Norwood News Reporter’s Arrived!

by David Cruz – Editor-in-Chief Big congratulations to Heather Haddon, formerly of the Norwood News and now a rising star at The Wall Street Journal for her coverage on the “Bridgegate” scandal that’s testing the political future of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. Haddon appeared on MSNBC’s “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell” on January 14, chronicling her initial investigation into the scandal involving Christie’s top aides deliberately snarling traffic on the George Washington Bridge as political punishment towards Fort Lee’s mayor for not endorsing Christie for re-election. Local Facebook sites have been gleaming with pride knowing about Haddon’s time

Be Healthy: Flu Season in Full Swing

By NORWOOD NEWS With sub-zero temps blanketing the Bronx in recent days, Montefiore Medical Center wants you to heed this warning: get your flu shot! The state Department of Health confirms that flu season has now settled in, with this year’s bug scuttling all corners of the Bronx. Infectious disease specialists have identified the most dangerous flu viruses for this year with about 90 percent of these strains believed to be well-matched to the current vaccines. However, there are several important factors Bronxites should know about the 2013-2014 vaccine:

Assemblyman Eric Stevenson Found Guilty

by David Cruz In a unanimous decision Assemblyman Eric Stevenson (D-79th A.D.) was found guilty of accepting bribes in exchange for drafting legislation that would have benefitted owners of two senior day care centers throughout the west Bronx. “As a unanimous jury swiftly found, Assemblyman Stevenson brazenly betrayed the public that elected him,” said Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. “Graft and greed are intolerable in Albany, and we will go to trial as often as we have to until gronment in New York is cleaned up.”