Bronx Gang Squad Identifies 12 Gangs Within 52nd Precinct

By DAVID CRUZ

When it comes to tracking gang activity, the Bronx Gang Squad on it. All 22 of members. It’s a small number, putting two detectives per precinct, but keeping them busy. And within the 52nd Precinct, roughly a dozen gangs have been identified within the northwest Bronx precinct. And their makeup varies. “You have Hispanic gangs ranging from the Latin Kings to the Trinitarios, which are Dominican. We used to have DDP’s, they seem to fallen out of favor with the Dominican gangs. You also have some Mexican gangs,” said gang squad detective James Shanahan. Shanahan appeared at the latest 52nd

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By JOSEPH KONIG

North Central Bronx Hospital (NCBH) will “absolutely” stay open for the foreseeable future, New York Health + Hospital President Dr. Mitchell Katz said following longstanding rumors that the Norwood hospital will eventually close. In fact, Katz says, services will expand. “If it’s going to be closed, it should be closed. If it’s going to be open, it should be open,” Katz, appearing at a “Newsmakers Q&A” at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism Sept. 27, said. “So now I’ve looked at it and we’re going to expand services to the North Central Bronx” New York City Health + Hospitals,

College Fair SUNY Bronx Educational Opportunity Center, 1666 Bathgate Ave., hosts a free college fair on Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors can speak with college reps and learn about scholarships, financial aid and admission requirements. For more information, call (718) 530-7017. Grant Campaign NYC Service and Citizens Committee for New York City launched the 2019 “Love Your Block” grant campaign to support communities making local change in transforming public spaces. Resident-led volunteer groups should submit project proposals that address community concerns and highlight how the project will transform public spaces. Twenty-five community group winners will receive

A Rapidly Rising Company Settles in Norwood

By CHRISTY RAE AMMONS

After 35 years working as a taxi driver, Mario Sena started his own driving company. But he never dreamed of how far it would go. Taking his understanding of the vehicle-for-hire business to work for him, Sena and his wife, Olga, operated a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) service from a makeshift office in their apartment in Pelham Bay. In 2012, he only had three customers and one driver, Sena himself. Now, Agape Luxury, Corp. books an average of 5,000 trips per day. Last year, Agape drove over one million patients to and from medical appointments, and in the last three

By PROF. ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA PFA

Thirty years ago SoHo was created. Dumbo was created 15 years ago. Is Mott Haven in the Bronx next? Was it gentrification? Was it revitalization? Many people do not seem to understand the difference. According to Wikipedia, gentrification is a process of renovating deteriorated urban neighborhoods by means of the influx of more affluent residents. This is a common and controversial topic in politics and in urban planning. Many say this is the process of renovating and improving a house or district so that it conforms to middle-class taste. Or, as summed-up by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

More New York City Students Passing State Test, But Bronx Still Lags

By DAVID CRUZ

Test scores for New York City students from third through eighth grade have gone up this year, but the Bronx still lags. Scores released by the state Department of Education show 46.7 percent of all New York City public students met proficiency standards in the English test, according to city officials. They also saw 42.7 percent of students pass the math test. A borough breakdown shows 32.3 percent of Bronx students from third to eighth grade passed their English test, according to raw data by the state Education Department. This year represents a “reset moment” as Mayor Bill de Blasio

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News is out with plenty of community news you can use. We have 20 pages of news and lots to cover. Our front page cover story focuses on the continuing trend of real estate speculation in Bedford Park. A Norwood News analysis shows an increase of transactions within the tiny section. We also give some brief history of what’s been happening over the last year. The Norwood News is also excited to announce our 30th anniversary celebration. Save the date for Thursday, November 1. More details are here including our honorees Sally Dunford, Mosholu Montefiore Community

By MATTHIWS ARCENTALES

Being healthy is a group effort that starts with you! Eating well is an important part of feeling well and being healthy. Another way to improve health is to increase how often you move your body, also known as exercising. Of course, it is recommended to have a conversation with your healthcare professional to ensure you are safe to begin an exercise program. There are different types of exercises that help reach certain health goals. Cardiovascular exercises help increase your heart rate to decrease body fat. Body building exercises help to build muscle and define your body shape. Endurance training helps

The Sept. 13 primary in the Bronx is one for the ages. It’s usually a tough one for challengers, but in the year when the reckoning on establishment Democrats reached its peak, no one was safe. Not even the state’s most powerful senator, Jeff Klein, ousted as the Democratic representative for the 34th Senate District by Alessandra Biaggi, a candidate with a Democratic platform that translates to a complete condemnation against President Donald Trump. The people made their voices heard in a race that should be seen as an example of what happens when there’s a more engaged voting bloc