Bedford Park News: Santa Spotted in the Bronx

Bedford Park News: Santa Spotted in the Bronx: BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 12- Santa had a busy time in the Bronx last week. First he attended the annual lighting of the Parkc...

Santa Spotted in the Bronx

BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 12- Santa had a busy time in the Bronx last week. First he attended the annual lighting of the Parkchester Christmas tree at the Oval. The event, filled with local singers and dancers, was capped off with the

holiday lights inside Met Oval. Then Old St. Nick was on hand for the tree lighting at the Fordham BID.

Arthur Avenue kicked off the holiday season with a tree lighting and a visit from Santa. In addition, holiday carolers sang to inspire the crowd.

Bedford Park News: Woman pleads guilty to doggone assault on bus driv...

Bedford Park News: Woman pleads guilty to doggone assault on bus driv...: BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 4- District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced that a 19-year-old woman has been convicted of assaulting an...

Woman pleads guilty to doggone assault on bus driver

BRONX, NEW YORK, DECEMBER 4- District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced that a 19-year-old woman has been convicted of assaulting an MTA bus driver after the driver refused to allow the defendant’s dog to board the bus.

Steangeli Medina pled guilty to assault in the second degree, the top count in the indictment, before Acting State Supreme Court Justice Patricia DiMango. Under the plea agreement Medina will be sentenced to six months in jail and five years’ probation.

Medina has also agreed to waive her right to appeal the conviction and will complete a mandatory anger management program. The judge also issued an eight-year order of protection, which prohibits Medina from having any contact with the bus driver.

On December 12, 2013, the defendant will surrender and be held without bail pending a sentencing date which will be set once the Department of Probation has prepared a pre-sentencing report.

The assault occurred on June 21, 2011 at a bus stop on East Fordham Road and Third Avenue when the defendant became enraged because bus operator Marlene Bien-Aime would not allow Medina’s dog to get on the bus without being in a pet carrier. Medina dragged the driver out of her seat, off the bus and onto the sidewalk where Medina struck the victim repeatedly.

As a result, the victim sustained extreme facial bruising and swelling, suffered partial vision loss, which has since been restored, and underwent surgery for injuries to her knee and shoulders. The trauma resulted in the bus driver being off the job on a medical leave for one year.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Hilary Chernin of the Trial Division.

Tags: Assault, Bus Driver, Dog

Holiday Train Show Returns

(Photos by Seitu Oronde)

BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 22- A critically acclaimed and always eagerly anticipated tradition, the Holiday Train Show presents an enchanted New York enlivened by model trains amid the glow of twinkling lights in America’s premier Victorian-style glasshouse, the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. The exhibition showcases replicas of New York landmarks, artistically crafted of natural materials such as bark, twigs, stems, fruits, seeds, and pine cones by designer Paul Busse’s team at Applied Imagination. The original Pennsylvania Station and Yankee Stadium, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Radio City Music Hall, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Rockefeller Center are among the favorites in the Botanical Garden’s collection of more than 150 Holiday Train Show replicas.

Visit the Garden’s Web site, nybg.org, to check dates and times for all of the Garden’s holiday offerings and to purchase advance timed tickets.

Bedford Park News: Red Cross Leading Relief Effort in Philippines

Bedford Park News: Red Cross Leading Relief Effort in Philippines: Using Facebook to Help Those Hit by Tragedy (Photos courtesy of Red Cross)   WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 14- The American Red Cross an...

Red Cross Leading Relief Effort in Philippines

Using Facebook to Help Those Hit by Tragedy

(Photos courtesy of Red Cross) 

WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 14- The American Red Cross announced an initial contribution of $6 million in support of the global Red Cross response to Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. These funds will be used to distribute relief items, repair and rebuild shelters, provide healthcare and ensure access to clean water and sanitation systems.

“We are grateful for the American public’s generosity and compassion following what has been called one of the strongest storms in world history,” said David Meltzer, chief international officer for the American Red Cross. “The American Red Cross is in a unique position to help provide support by airlifting relief supplies from its warehouses around the world, providing trained disaster responders specializing in damage assessment and telecommunications, and by channeling its financial support to the Philippine Red Cross and its more than 500,000 staff and volunteers and our other global partners in the Red Cross network – all of which go to providing relief from this devastating storm.”

In addition to financial assistance, the American Red Cross is lending people, expertise and equipment to this effort with four specialists already on the ground in the Philippines. These include two people who specialize in telecommunication and who are traveling with satellite equipment, and two others who specialize in disaster assessment.

The Philippine Red Cross has extensive experience in search and rescue and large-scale relief and recovery programs. The Philippine Red Cross is the largest humanitarian organization in the country, with 1,000 staff members and an estimated 500,000 active volunteers engaged in this disaster response. Their volunteer relief teams continue to provide assistance in the hardest hit communities, including assisting in search and rescue efforts.

The Philippine Red Cross has begun distributions of emergency supplies and has provided meals to people affected by the storm. On Sunday, 6,000 packs of relief supplies were sent to Leyete and other affected communities. However, supply delivery in the worst affected city of Tacloban has been significantly constrained by destroyed infrastructure, blocked roads, and downed communication lines.

Specialized emergency response teams from Red Cross societies across the globe are moving into the Philippines to assist the Philippine Red Cross. These include teams with expertise in logistics, disaster assessment, shelter, health, water and sanitation.

“A global Red Cross relief effort is well underway and we are working closely with our international partners to help get aid where it is needed,” said Meltzer.

Despite the tragic aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, thousands of survivors are grateful for their lives. The Philippine Red Cross worked closely with local disaster authorities to support preemptive evacuations, helping move more than 125,000 families to safer shelter prior to the storm making landfall. The Philippine Red Cross also disseminated early warning messages and safety tips in areas along the path of the typhoon.

Here in the United States, the American Red Cross is helping to reconnect families separated by the typhoon and has activated its family tracing services. If people are looking for a missing family member in the Philippines, please remember that many phone lines are down. If people are unable to reach loved ones, contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross to initiate a family tracing case.

The American Red Cross expects to make additional contributions to support the humanitarian response in the coming weeks. Donations received from American Red Cross and other Red Cross partners will aid the Philippines relief and recovery efforts through the Philippine Red Cross and possibly other organizations as experts on the ground determine the best way forward.

HOW TO HELP Those who want to help can go to www.redcross.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS to donate to typhoon relief. People can also mail in a donation to their local Red Cross chapter. Gifts to the American Red Cross will support our disaster relief efforts to help those affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. On those rare occasions when donations exceed American Red Cross expenses for a specific crisis, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other crises.

In a new partnership, Facebook is making it possible for users to donate directly to the American Red Cross either through a notification in News Feed, or directly on the Red Cross Facebook page. This is the first time that the American Red Cross has engaged in such a large-scale fundraising program with a social platform. For the Red Cross that means that with the click of a button on Facebook, we can connect people who want to help with those who are so desperately in need in the Philippines. This Facebook effort for the Philippines in the United States will continue through November 15.

Tags: Haiyan, Typhoon

Bedford Park News: SHAMELESS!

Bedford Park News: SHAMELESS!: Con Men Ca$h in on Typhoon Tragedy Prey Off People Trying to Help the Philippines WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 14-  The Dep...

SHAMELESS!

Con Men Ca$h in on Typhoon Tragedy

Prey Off People Trying to Help the Philippines

WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 14- The Department of Justice, the FBI, and the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) remind the public that there is a potential for disaster fraud in the aftermath of a natural disaster. 

Suspected fraudulent activity pertaining to relief efforts associated with Typhoon Haiyan should be reported to the toll-free NCDF hotline at 866-720-5721. The hotline is staffed by a live operator 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for the purpose of reporting suspected scams being perpetrated by criminals in the aftermath of disasters.

NCDF was originally established in 2005 by the Department of Justice to investigate, prosecute, and deter fraud associated with federal disaster relief programs following Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. Its mission has expanded to include suspected fraud related to any natural or man-made disaster. More than 20 federal agencies—including the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney’s Offices, Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the U.S. Secret Service—participate in the NCDF, allowing the center to act as a centralized clearinghouse of information related to disaster relief fraud.

In the wake of natural disasters, many individuals feel moved to contribute to victim assistance programs and organizations across the country. The Department of Justice and the FBI remind the public to apply a critical eye and conduct due diligence before giving to anyone soliciting donations on behalf of hurricane victims. Solicitations can originate as e-mails, websites, door-to-door collections, mailings, telephone calls and similar methods.

Before making a donation of any kind, consumers should adhere to certain guidelines, including the following:

▪ Do not respond to any unsolicited (spam) incoming e-mails, including by clicking links contained within those messages, because they may contain computer viruses.

▪ Be cautious of individuals representing themselves as victims or officials asking for donations via e-mail or social networking sites.

▪ Beware of organizations with copycat names similar to but not exactly the same as those of reputable charities.

▪ Rather than following a purported link to a website, verify the existence and legitimacy of non-profit organizations by using Internet-based resources.

▪ Be cautious of e-mails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files, because those files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.

▪ To ensure that contributions are received and used for intended purposes, make donations directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf.

▪ Do not be pressured into making contributions; reputable charities do not use coercive tactics.

▪ Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions. Providing such information may compromise your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft.

▪ Avoid cash donations if possible. Pay by debit or credit card or write a check directly to the charity. Do not make checks payable to individuals.

▪ Legitimate charities do not normally solicit donations via money transfer services.

▪ Most legitimate charities maintain websites ending in .org rather than .com.

If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud by a person or organization soliciting relief funds on behalf of disaster victims, contact the NCDF by phone at (866) 720-5721, fax at (225) 334-4707, or e-mail at disaster@leo.gov.

You can also report suspicious e-mail solicitations or fraudulent websites to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

Tags: Haiyan, Typhoon

Bedford Park News: Red Panda Cubs Make Their Zoo Debut

Bedford Park News: Red Panda Cubs Make Their Zoo Debut : BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 8- Four red panda cubs are debuting at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo and Prospect Park Zo...

Red Panda Cubs Make Their Zoo Debut

BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 8- Four red panda cubs are debuting at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo and Prospect Park Zoo. 

Two cubs are at the Himalayan Highlands at the Bronx Zoo and two are at Discovery Trail at the Prospect Park Zoo.

Both litters consist of a male and female and were born this summer.

WCS has a successful history breeding red pandas at the Bronx, Central Park and Prospect Park Zoos as part of the Species Survival Plan, a cooperative breeding program administered by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums designed to enhance the genetic viability and demographic stability of animal populations in accredited zoos.

Red pandas are native to Nepal, India, Bhutan, China, and Myanmar. The subspecies of red panda at the Bronx Zoo (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) is found in the western part of their Himalayan range. The Prospect Park pandas (Ailurus fulgens refulgens) are a subspecies from the eastern portion of the range and are characteristically darker in color and slightly larger.

Panda cubs are born with a very soft, plush coat. They reach adulthood at around 18 months.

Adult red pandas have reddish-brown and black coats that serve as camouflage in the wild. They have an adaptation on their wrists much like a thumb that enables them to grasp food items like bamboo as well as tree branches.

The species is listed as “Vulnerable” by the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to habitat loss caused by deforestation for timber, fuel and agricultural use. Their population is declining. WCS works in China and Myanmar to save red pandas and other Asian wildlife. 

Bedford Park News: Murdered Popular Teen Mourned

Bedford Park News: Murdered Popular Teen Mourned: By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 30- A popular student from Walton High School was shot and killed near St. James Park....

Murdered Popular Teen Mourned

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 30- A popular student from Walton High School was shot and killed near St. James Park.

According to police, it was just after 9 p.m. on October 23, when officers responded to a call of a male shot outside of 2622 Jerome Avenue, in the Bedford Park section.

The victim, identified by police as Michael Beltre, 17, of Washington Avenue, had reportedly been shot one time in the face and was pronounced dead at St. Barnabas Hospital.

Friend's say Beltre, a junior at Walton, had arrived in the Bronx just two short years ago from the Dominican Republic.

Police say Beltre was speaking to two individuals just steps away from McDonald's, when one of the two men pulled the gun and shot him.

The following day a large crowd of Beltre's friends were busy setting up a memorial for the young man, when police asked the teens to move it so a store owner could open her nail salon.

The store owner had recently been closed after part of the building's facade collapsed. On this day she would first have to scrub-down the dried blood left on the sidewalk.

At the new vigil, across the street from St. James Park, where Beltre could often be found playing basketball, one young mourner, offered, "He was a sweetheart. He had no enemies, no problems and he loved McDonald's."

Friends can not explain what happened or who did it.

Coincidentally, the morning after Beltre's brutal death, the annual breakfast of the 52nd Precinct Community Council was held just two short blocks from where the teen was shot.

Outgoing Deputy Inspector Joseph Dowling stated, "That's currently under investigation. I was at the scene with the detectives, but I can't give you any details because it's an ongoing investigation."

Bedford Park News: Tough Questions for 52nd Pct.’s New Commanding Off...

Bedford Park News: Tough Questions for 52nd Pct.’s New Commanding Off...: Officer Injured in Norwood Pellet-Gun Shooting By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 30- An early morning pellet-gun shoo...

Tough Questions for 52nd Pct.’s New Commanding Officer

Officer Injured in Norwood Pellet-Gun Shooting

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 30- An early morning pellet-gun shooting has left one police officer with a minor hand injury and a suspect was injured climbing over a fence-- after an early morning incident on Rochambu Avenue in Norwood.

According to Deputy Inspector Joseph Dowling, the officer was shot in the hand by a pellet-gun as the officer struggled with a suspect that took place in the rear courtyard of 3133 Rocambeau Avenue at sometime after 4 a.m. on October 25.

A small army of police as well as tactical units converged on the area and at least one suspect, possibly two are currently in police custody.

The 52^nd Precinct, which has seen a noticeable up tick in crime and violent incidents such as this shooting, is currently in a transition as Deputy Inspector Nilda Hoffman was recently named commanding officer of the precinct that covers Norwood, Bedford Park and Fordham.

Dowling was on scene of this shooting and also attended that morning's Annual 52^ndPrecinct Community Council Breakfast.

At about the same time, Hoffman was at 1 Police Plaza where she attended a ceremony where she was promoted to Inspector, apparently one of the perks that come with her new command.

Ironically, the breakfast was held at Monroe College on Jerome Avenue, 2 short blocks from where a popular 17-year-old Walton High School student was shot to death the previous Wednesday evening.

At the breakfast, Dowling stated, "This morning's incident, the officers were investigating some individuals, they were alerted to the fact that one of the individuals was in possession of a firearm. They stopped two individuals as he went to stop one of them,  he drew a firearm from his person."

Dowling continued,"One of the officers felt the danger with him pulling out what appeared to him to be a gun... he discharged one round and did not strike the perpetrator or any innocent victims."

Police say the suspect was carrying a pellet-gun that looked like a real, "Desert Eagle," handgun. Sources say that officer suffered a minor hand injury and is believed to have been transported to North Central Bronx Hospital. The still-unidentified suspect suffered a leg in jury as he scaled a fence, he was treated at Montefiore Hospital.

Bedford Park News: Joe Lhota Comes to the Bronx

Bedford Park News: Joe Lhota Comes to the Bronx: 100 PERCENT By Robert Press We Found Joe Lhota BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 24-  Maybe it was our front page photo of Republican M...

Joe Lhota Comes to the Bronx

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

We Found Joe Lhota

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 24- Maybe it was our front page photo of Republican Mayoral candidate Joe Lhota on a milk carton as missing from the Bronx two weeks ago, but since then Lhota has come to the Bronx twice. 

First it was in Coop-City, and then this past Sunday to a legislative breakfast in Riverdale. Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani won big in Riverdale, but times were different then. Lhota even promised to return to Riverdale two times before the November election. It seems while those at the legislative breakfast welcomed him few if any who attended are going to vote for Joe Lhota for mayor. I was told Lhota's opponent Bill deBlasio was out of town. DeBlasio has been to the event in the past in his capacity as Public Advocate. You can go to my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com to read more about the breakfast and see the many photos of the event. One of the photos is that of current MTA board member Charles Moerdler chatting with the former head of the MTA. Moerdler and Lhota had words during one MTA board meeting, but Mr. Moerdler said that he and Mr. Lhota have a cordial relationship. I would take that as a no vote. One of the honorees was Mr. Jeffrey Moerdler (son of Charles Moerdler) who heads the Riverdale Hatzolah Volunteer Ambulance.

Is Bill deBlasio making some mistakes on his way to city hall? While the latest polls have deBlasio well ahead of Joe Lhota with no other minor candidate close to Lhota, what is Bill deBlasio thinking when he says he supports Mayor Bloomberg's efforts to ban sugary sodas over 16 ounces. After clearing up his statement a little deBlasio said that it is the obesity problem that plagues New York City children, and that is where he agrees with the policy efforts of Mayor Bloomberg.

While the Democratic Primary is the race to win in the Bronx there is still a general election on Tuesday November 5^th. In the 15^th City Council race Democratic Primary winner Ritchie Torres still may have a tough race in November, because while he won a six person primary one of his opponents from that primary faces Torres one on one in the General Election. This past Monday Democratic candidate for the 15^th city council seat held a fund raiser. You can go to my blog to see just who showed up to this fund raiser being given by Bronx County Democratic County Leader Carl Heastie.

Norwood received a slow zone thanks to the hard work of Assemblymen Mark Gjonaj and Jeffrey Dinowitz. This Norwood slow zone encompasses the Williamsbridge Oval, two schools, and five different early learning centers. As to just where the dividing line in the slow zone of the two assembly districts is, both assemblymen answered it is a joint slow zone with no seams.

What happens when there is a proposal to build something the community is against. This past Monday Community Board # 4 held a protest to a proposed Tier II Transitional Facility on the Grand Concourse. In a letter to the president and CEO of Housing Bridge Inc. CB 4 outlined that they sympathize with the individual and or families in need of such services, but cannot and will not support efforts to secure approval from DHS to acquire 42 units at 1387 Grand Concourse. CB 4 goes on to site “fair share” as an issue, and the lack of community participation in the process.

Finally there may be more delays at the now way over budget ($2 billion over budget) Croton Water Filtration Plant being built in Van Cortlandt Park. I received word about an investigation that may halt the project for up to two more years as certain things get double checked and triple checked before the plant can be operational. This could be one reason that the DEP cut down on the number of meeting from one a month to one a quarter. Just what is the DEP hiding now?

If you have any comments about this column or would like to have an announcement listed or event covered in this column or on my blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.

Bedford Park News: Bronxites Walk to Find Cure for Breast Cancer

Bedford Park News: Bronxites Walk to Find Cure for Breast Cancer: By Patricia McDow BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 24- Marie Barbarto, along with her Mom Dorothy are breast cancer survivors. On October...

Bronxites Walk to Find Cure for Breast Cancer

By Patricia McDow

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 24- Marie Barbarto, along with her Mom Dorothy are breast cancer survivors. On October 20^th, Marie joined thousands of local breast cancer survivors, volunteers, business and community members at Orchard Beach as they united to fight breast cancer and save lives at the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 3K walk. This noncompetitive, inspirational event raises awareness and funds to fight breast cancer and provides hope to all people facing the disease.

More than 229,060 women and men in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year, and more than 39,920 will die from the disease. Funds raised through Making Strides will help the American Cancer Society save lives and create more birthdays by helping people stay well by taking steps to prevent cancer or find it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking research; and by fighting back by encouraging lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight.

Many of the participants are already looking forward to next year October 19, 2014, hope you can join. If interested visit their website http://makingstrides.acsevents.org to join, donate or create your own team.

Bedford Park News: Hawks Schooling Community

Bedford Park News: Hawks Schooling Community: Group Sets Up Nest in School Photo by David Greene By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 2- On a day when the DeWit...

Hawks Schooling Community

Group Sets Up Nest in School

Photo by David Greene

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 2- On a day when the DeWitt Clinton's varsity football team returned for their annual homecoming game-- a family of wild hawks were already home and on the prowl as they have called Clinton High School their home for the last five or six years.

Able to dive and sail through the air at top speeds of up to 100 miles-per-hour and sounding like a model plane's wind-up propeller, this family of hawks have been buzzing up and down Mosholu Parkway causing quite a stir.

Several school safety officers were recently spotted snapping pictures of a trio of hawks who are believed to be a part of a family of as many as six, who have reportedly set up camp in an abandon tower atop the iconic school, that first opened on Mosholu Parkway back in 1929.

One hawk was spotted atop the school as three others played tag, danced and posed for photos shot by school safety agents and a handful of passersby with cell-phone cameras, all while the feathered creatures looked for prey, reportedly dining on a menu of rats and pigeons and an occasional squirrel. 

Hawks apparently find the borough of the Bronx an ideal location as nests of hawks have been spotted in Highbridge Park, Pelham Bay, Fordham University, The New York Botanical Gardens and at least one fire escape along Mosholu Parkway.

Clinton's new residents appear to be from the Broad-winged Hawk family, whose numbers have declined in recent years.

One longtime school safety officer recalled, "We had a rodent problem at the school and they quickly took care of that." The official added, "I'd like to see the city dedicate some resources for them, like they did for the hawks along Fifth Avenue."

Hawks are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and currently have a global population estimated at 2 million.

When reached by telephone, the school's principal said that while the hawks have been appreciated by the faculty and students for the past several years, The Governors would remain the school's mascot.

Principal Geraldine Ambrosio stressed, "No... long live The Governors."

But the Clinton Hawks does have a nice ring to it.  

NorwoodBX: Foot Freak Charged in Sniffs, Choking Women

NorwoodBX: Foot Freak Charged in Sniffs, Choking Women: By David Greene   BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 1- Police have announced the arrest of a suspect wanted in connection with three attacks on women...

Bedford Park News: Foot Freak Charged in Sniffs, Choking Women

Bedford Park News: Foot Freak Charged in Sniffs, Choking Women: By David Greene   BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 1- Police have announced the arrest of a suspect wanted in connection with three attacks on women...

Foot Freak Charged in Sniffs, Choking Women

By David Greene

 

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 1- Police have announced the arrest of a suspect wanted in connection with three attacks on women, including one attack where he removed the victim's shoes and smelled her feet.

 

Cops say University Avenue resident Calvin Presinal, 28, approached his victims from behind and choked them until they passed out.

 

Presinal reportedly approached his first victim at 12:10 a.m. on August 5, when a 21-year-old woman was attacked at W. Kingsbridge Road and Jerome Avenue.

 

Investigators have also charged Presinal with two additional attacks that took place on August 30. Police say the second victim was approached at the intersection of Sedgwick Avenue and Bailey Avenue at 1:10 a.m.

 

In that incident Presinal reportedly removed the shoes of his 18-year-old victim and sniffed her feet before running off.

 

Less than a half hour, police say Presinal struck again along Parkview Terrace in Bedford Park, when he approached a 24-year-old woman whom he allegedly choked and wrestled to the ground.

 

The victim reportedly fought back as the suspect attempted to undress her.

 

Presinal was arrested on Friday, September 6, and charged with three counts of assault, three counts of strangulation and attempted rape.

 

Police continue to hunt for a second individual who is being sought in connection with the August 21 attempted sexual assault of a 20-year old Fordham University student, who was attacked inside her off-campus building.   

Bedford Park News: Armory Skates Through 1st Two Steps

Bedford Park News: Armory Skates Through 1st Two Steps: 100 PERCENT By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 26- The Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC) at the Kingsbridge Armory has cl...

Armory Skates Through 1st Two Steps

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 26- The Kingsbridge National Ice Center (KNIC) at the Kingsbridge Armory has cleared the first two hurdles in the land use process know as ULERP. 

Community Board 7 held a public hearing last week, and then voted 20 – 5 to approve the KNIC proposal of nine ice skating rinks and a community benefits package of $1.7 Billion. The next hurdle in the ULERP process was a public hearing by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. last Friday. BP Diaz having come out in favor of the KNIC proposal early on has now passed it to the City Planning Department. CPC has up to 60 days to either approve or disapprove the armory proposal. One would have to bet since this is a “Pet Project” of outgoing Mayor Bloomberg that CPC should not waste any time in approving the KNIC proposal. The last stop of the ULERP process is a hearing before the full City Council which votes to approve or not. The original Shops at the Armory proposal two years ago was vetoed by the City Council, and led to the fierce battle over “The Living Wage Bill”.

At both hearings local City Councilman Fernando Cabrera was not present and did not have anyone to represent him either. It is said that Councilman Cabrera is not totally in agreement with the community benefits agreement that was agreed upon, but we will have to see if Cabrera is silent when the KNIC proposal come before the City Council. It is believed that while this ULERP process could drag out into the new year under a new mayor and city council that many from Mayor Bloomberg down want this ULERP process to be finished before Mayor Bloomberg leaves office. You can go to my blog at www.100percent.blogspot.com to read more on the public hearings, see photos of New York Ranger great Mark Messier (CEO of the KNIC) as he testifies at Bronx Borough Hall, and even a photo of the Community Benefits agreement.

Last Friday was the annual Bronx Democratic County Judicial Convention. What is usually a ho-hum boring meeting was filled with excitement as Democratic Mayoral candidate Bill deBlasio showed up before the meeting to rally the Bronx troops in his support. The Bronx Democratic organization had supported Bill Thompson in the Democratic primary, but now it was full steam ahead for Bill deBlasio. To my question about former Bronx BP Adolfo Carrion stealing Democratic votes away here in the Bronx as the candidate of the Independence Party, there was a rush to the podium as current Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. got to it first. Diaz said 'Carrion is no longer a Democrat, and that he has turned his back on the Democratic Party”. Diaz added that the Bronx Democratic County organization will take care of things in the Bronx, to which Bronx Democratic County Leader Carl Heastie agreed.

In the first mayoral poll after the primary Democrat Bill deBlasio leads Republican Joe Lhota by 43 percent. It was about 65 percent for deBlasio and 22 percent for Lhota, with 3 percent for Carrion, and about 10 percent undecided. By the way, the four judges that were nominated were Justice Laura Douglas, Judge Norma Ruiz, Judge Larry Schachner, and Judge Julia Rodriguez to fill the four upcoming vacancies.

Don't forget that Tuesday October 1st is Primary Run Off Day between the two top finishers in the Democratic Public Advocate race Brooklyn State Senator Dan Squadron and Brooklyn Councilwoman Letitia James. My prediction - Squadron wins 61 percent - 39 percent.

In the 86th A.D. special election, candidate Victor Pichardo has increased his lead to 104 votes after the re-canvassing of the voter machines. There are still many paper ballots that have to be counted, but it looks like Mr. Pichardo will be the new Assemblyman from the 86th Assembly District.

Don't forget to check my blog for events that took place over the past weekend such as the Jerome-Gun Hill BID Street Festival that took place last Saturday. Also check for upcoming events such as Fordham Fever Friday's. On Friday October 4th the Fordham BID will present an “International Day Fair” from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Muller Park & Plaza located on Fordham Road by Creston Avenue.

If you have any comments about this column or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on my blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.

Bedford Park News: Summer’s Over But Bullets Still Flying

Bedford Park News: Summer’s Over But Bullets Still Flying: Residents on Edge as Bloody Mayhem Continues By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 4- The NYPD's own statistics show ...

Summer’s Over But Bullets Still Flying

Residents on Edge as Bloody Mayhem Continues

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 4- The NYPD's own statistics show that the city is on pace to have the lowest murder rate in the last 50 years, but that offers little comfort to family members of those killed or wounded by the almost daily, random street violence.

Detectives are still hunting the gunman who shot and killed Raymond Hernandez, 22, who was shot in the hallway of 2860 Grand Concourse on July 15.

On August 3, officers from the 46th Precinct reported a person shot and killed at 2377 Creston Avenue. Police were looking for two black males seen fleeing the scene.

Kahleed Adams had returned to the ruff and tumble streets of Fordham Heights where he was shot in the buttocks a week earlier. At 12:30 a.m. on August 19, he was approached by a group of men at E. 184 Street and Morris Avenue, when someone opened fire, striking Adams in the head.

Despite being in full view of an NYPD surveillance camera, installed after Adams was shot the first time, detectives continue to hunt for the young man's killer.

But the most blood-spilling, effecting the most people are the random acts of violence that often go unreported. Information can now be found on social media websites as the community seems to be trying to keep itself informed, but rumors continue to be almost as big a problem as the violence itself.

Officers from the 52nd Precinct responded to calls of a person stabbed at 12:10 a.m. on August 3. The victim was reportedly stabbed at the intersection of Morris Avenue and E. Kingsbridge Road. Police were looking for a black male wearing a white and gray shirt and dark jeans. 

At 7 p.m. on August 4, a livery taxi driver was stabbed in the chest an neck as he sat behind the wheel at Bainbridge Avenue and E. Fordham Road. An unidentified resident of the block reportedly tossed a large rock at the car, causing the suspect to flee the stolen car.

Police reportedly discovered Luis Ferrierra, 22, hiding in a backyard. He has since been charged with felony assault and robbery--his eighth arrest for 2013.

When asked about the member of the community tossing the rock, one resident responded, "This area is flooded with crack and crime and I think the residents are fed up with it already." 

Residents near PS 8 at Mosholu Parkway South and Bainbridge Avenue reported hearing shots during the night of Friday, August 9.. Residents awoke the following morning to discover a bloody park bench. So far the incident remains a mystery.

At just before 11 p.m. on Sunday, August 11, a person was reported shot at E. Gun Hill Road and Decatur Avenue. However, this incident could not be confirmed.

Police say it was a drug dealer who shot a potential customer on August 13, outside of 2685 Valentine Avenue in Bedford Park. The 31-year old victim was shot in the left hand and right thigh and was treated and released from Jacobi Hospital.

That gunman was described as a male wearing a white shirt and blue hat.

On August 15, Yonkers police were apparently in pursuit of a vehicle that crashed as it exited the Major Deegan near the Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course, the armed suspect reportedly fired at least one shot at pursuing officers before making an escape into the woods.

On August 16 three people were shot over the period of two-hours. At 12:15 a.m. a victim was discovered inside of a building at 2725 Webb Avenue. The 19-year old victim had been shot in the hand and leg and was expected to survive.

Residents of the Fordham Manor block that intersects with W. Kingsbridge Road don't even flinch when they hear gunshots anymore. The block has had two other recent shooting's. A 51-year old man was shot in the arm back in April and two men were shot outside of a bodega on July 28.

Police were still looking for the gunman in the July 28 case, described as wearing all red and carrying a black plastic bag.

Forty-five minutes later officer's from the 46th Precinct in Fordham were called to another 24-hour deli at 375 E. 188 Street. The victim in that shooting was transported by a civilian vehicle to Jacobi Hospital and was also recovering.

At just before 2 a.m., a man was wounded outside of 2258 Grand Avenue in University Heights. The 25-year old victim suffered a gunshot to the right leg and was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital where he was treated and released.

EMS reported the transport of a stabbing victim from the intersection of the Grand Concourse and E. 197 Street at just before 10 p.m. on August 17.

At some time after 4 a.m. on Sunday, August 18, a man was shot in the leg outside of 275 E. Gun Hill Road. The unidentified victim was transported to a nearby hospital in stable condition. Police were reportedly looking for two male Hispanics who fled the scene.

Recently police did announce an arrest in the May 29 shooting of Alex Rodriguez, who was shot in the head at the intersection of E. 184 Street and Tiebout Avenue in Fordham Heights. Rodriguez died after being taken off life support.

Jamie DeJesus has been charged with manslaughter in the case.

Outspoken Bedford Park resident Ron James Sorenson who was shot as a young man as he drove a livery taxi in the South Bronx back in the late 1960's, recently stated about the judge's recent decision to re-evaluate the NYPD's stop-and-frisk, offering, "None of these people who are against stop-and-frisk have ever been shot. I have and I think the practice saves lives."

Despite the recent surge in killing, NYPD statistics show murder is down over the same time period as last year. So far this year there were 42 homicides in the Bronx, compared with 68 last year.

Community Board # 7 is still in a transition as it's new District Manager Socrates Caba and Chairperson Adaline Walker-Santiago are in the process of taking over the day to day operations of the board. But a blind man can see they have their work cut out for them.

Anyone with any information on any violent crime are asked to call CrimeStoppers at 1 (800) 577-TIPS.