Diaz Sr. Favors Keeping Rikers Island Open, Will Vote Against Neighborhood Jail Plan

By DAVID CRUZ

The city’s plan to build a borough-based jail in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx finds itself emblematic of a growing criminal justice reform movement that began in the Bronx. And, as expected, it’s found itself intertwined with the crowded 15th Congressional District race, where Congressman Jose Serrano announced he will not seek re-election. The entanglement, and subsequent intrigue, stems largely from Ritchie Torres and Ruben Diaz Sr., congressional candidates on the other side of the Democratic spectrum who double as Council Members. The two legislators will need to vote to approve or reject the plan. Their positions could

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The grand opening of the new Van Cortlandt library, a quarter mile from its old site, took place on July 15, having officially closed its former smaller premises in June. To mark the occasion, colorful helium balloons swayed in the summer breeze and attendees tucked into a celebratory buffet while a human-sized, furry lion mingled playfully among staff, children, visitors and elected officials including Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Councilman Andrew Cohen, and Congressman Adriano Espaillat. “This was in the making for many years,” said Dinowitz. The new library, once a two-story apartment

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The City Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the Phase 3 expansion of its Citi Bike initiative on July 16, which will bring bike sharing to various South Bronx neighborhoods including Mott Haven, Melrose, Port Morris, Highbridge, Claremont, Morrisania, Longwood, Concourse, and Mt. Eden in the next year. Community Board consultation will start this fall and stations will be installed in 2020. DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg confirmed that a $100 million investment to expand the bike program through 2023 has been made by Lyft (Citi Bike’s parent company) which will also cover previously under-served neighborhoods in northern Manhattan, Brooklyn and

State of Oval Park Roils Residents, And Parks Responds

By DAVID CRUZ

The black bags were finally filled with trash. The grass trimmed. The overflowing trash bin cleared. The checkmarks made for a productive cleanup at Williamsbridge Oval Park. Yet credit for the several cleanup jobs goes to the handful of volunteers living near the park. In the space of several months, the group has taken it upon itself to do the work of the agency, whose track record for reliable cleanliness is spotty as of late. George Lunney of Norwood wasn’t taking it lying down. “We’re not getting any assistance whatsoever from the complaints we made with either 311 or with

By DAVID CRUZ and CHRISTY RAE AMMONS

Councilman Ritchie Torres, who’s dropped hints he’ll be pursuing a run for Congress for the last few months, finally made it official, launching his campaign in the form of a video he released. It’s narrated in a sobering tone by Torres, who explains how he overcame the odds and plans to continue to make changes that will support low-income and marginalized residents. “I’m running for Congress because the Bronx needs a fighter in Washington D.C. The primary presents a stark choice between a progressive new guard and a reactionary old guard. Between an LGBT fundraiser and a vicious homophobe. Between

Bronx Woman Found Dead Inside Fordham Apartment

By MICHAEL TURAY

A 33-year-old woman was found stabbed to death inside her Fordham apartment, cops say. On July 12 police were dispatched to 2414 University Ave. at around 8:40 pm after reports of a foul odor when they found the body of Cindi Olivio unconscious and on her bedroom floor with several stab wounds to her body. Law enforcement officials said Olivio’s body was so badly decomposed that the initial stab wounds were difficult to determine by cops on the scene. Further tests by the city Medical Examiner’s office confirmed Olivio suffered multiple stab wounds to her neck area. The death has

NYC Prepares for Impending ICE Raids. What You Should Know.

By SÍLE MOLONEY

With Norwood home to a burgeoning Bangladeshi and established Hispanic community, and the Trump administration’s promise for a major ICE raid of roughly 2,000 undocumented immigrants this Sunday, Mayor Bill de Blasio reaffirmed the city’s ongoing commitment to protecting immigrants by informing them of their rights, providing free legal services should they require them and reassuring immigrants that city agencies would not cooperate in any way with ICE officials. Speaking on the Brian Lehrer Show on WNYC on July 12, de Blasio said, “If anyone is afraid or concerned, you know, they can, whether their kids go to a school,

Raising Parental Awareness on Gangs in the Five-Two

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Within the big picture story of decades of downward crime rates, one aspect of street life that the NYPD continues to grapple with is the lure of gangs. Responding to a growing concern over increased gang activity in the north Bronx neighborhoods Deputy Inspector Thomas J. Alps, commanding officer of the 52nd Precinct, said “gangs are a big problem in the Five-Two.” In an ongoing effort to counter gang life, and root it out of neighborhoods, the precinct invited members of the NYPD Bronx Gang Squad to a summit at the Bronx Library Center on July 3. The meeting included

By SÍLE MOLONEY

NYC Health + Hospitals has confirmed that it plans to operate Jacobi Medical Center (Jacobi) and North Central Bronx Hospital (NCBH) under one license, subject to the approval of the state Department of Health (DOH). The news could make it easier for patients to be seen a lot faster, by cutting down wait times for patient transfers between the two publicly-funded hospitals. “The license merger will streamline the transfer process between hospitals for patients and the credentialing process for our clinicians,” said John Doyle, spokesman for NYC Health + Hospitals, “In short, it allows us to better navigate some regulatory