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. 

Bedford Park News: Bronx Week Parade

Bedford Park News: Bronx Week Parade: BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 16- It may have rained, enough to cancel the Yankee game, but it didn't rain hard enough to damper the ...

Bronx Week Parade

BRONX, NEW YORK, MAY 16- It may have rained, enough to cancel the Yankee game, but it didn't rain hard enough to damper the spirits enough to cancel the Bronx Week Parade, Food and Music Festival today on Mosholu Parkway. 

While some people and a few elected officials stayed away in drier places, there still were over 1,000 proud Bronxites who marched in the Bronx Week Parade on Mosholu Parkway, and then enjoyed the Food and Music Festival. The Parade was co-hosted by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and NY 1 Bronx reporter Dean Meminger.

The Bronx Week Parade started off with the NYPD and NYFD, then came the marchers as the three Bronx Walk of Fame honorees arrived at the viewing stand. Famous actress Ellen Barkin, former NY State Attorney General and Bronx BP Robert Abrams, and musician Miguel Angel Amadeo then went onto the stage to watch the rest of the Bronx Week Parade.  

As was the case in last years, parade the theme again this year was all about the children and their future. 

Parade highlights - The "Dynamic Duo" of BP Diaz and NY 1 reporter Dean Meminger, The Bronx Young Democrats, The fact that this event started under then Bronx BP Robert Abrams as "Bronx Day", Councilman Joel Rivera's Chief of staff marching four different times in the parade as was noted by BP Diaz, and of course the hundreds of children marching and performing.

Bedford Park News: What You Should Know

Bedford Park News: What You Should Know: 100 PERCENT By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK, February 23- If you have a computer you should check out my blog at www.100percentb...

What You Should Know

100 PERCENT

By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK, February 23- If you have a computer you should check out my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com to see the latest edition of “What You Should Know” by State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Sr. Like us, Senator Diaz refuses to be shut up, and speaks his mind when it comes to politics. 

Diaz Sr. was one of the original “Four Amigos” of New York State Senate fame, and is the only member of the group who was not corrupted by the power that did in the other three Amigos. One big argument Senator Diaz Sr. has is, “What is it the difference what the IDC members are doing from what the Amigos did”. We always appreciate and sometimes if not more often agree with what Senator Diaz Sr. says and you might also when you read his commentary on my blog.

It looks like by the time you read this the school bus drivers strike will be over, and Mayor Incorruptible is taking credit by saying “Special interest groups have never had less influence then now”. We think he means since Ed Koch was mayor. Like Mayor Koch, Mayor Bloomberg is beyond reproach, we just wonder about some in the Bloomberg administration.

Speaking of Mayor Bloomdoom he may just be right on global warming, but why wait to tell us now in his last year of his last term? We hear that in some New York City Housing Authority Houses that the boilers will be moved out of the basement to a higher floor to prevent the flooding of the boilers that occurred during Hurricane Sandy. Also in these NYCHA houses the idea will be to have no tenants living in floors that lie below the flood level. Could Co-op City then be in danger of being flooded out next?

I know I said that I would look into the 15th City Council race this week, but I have to put that off for a few weeks while the picture gets a little clearer. Right now the vibes from the 15th are so bad I am waiting for even more players to be added to the race.

A deep bit of sorrow as Don “The Master Challenger” Masters has left us after suffering through a long illness. You knew your chance to be thrown off the ballot if Don Masters was involved in challenging your petition was very good, and that is why he was called “The Master Challenger”. Even as the legislature made it easier to get on the ballot it was still easy for Masters and his disciples to knock a candidate off the ballot. A fond farewell to Don Masters the king of petition challengers.

Assemblyman Marcos Crespo has passed along information that is on my blog about the state assembly introducing amended legislation that would increase the state minimum wage from $7,25 an hour to $9.00 an hour, and index it to the rate of inflation like President Obama's goal nationwide.

There are also comments by Comptroller John Liu and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. on Mayor Bloomberg's final State of the City Address. Comptroller Liu did not hold back, but I suspect that BP Diaz had to because of the Kingsbridge Armory.

Speaking of BP Diaz I will have a recap of his State of the Borough Speech in next week’s column and on my blog since it is being given after my deadline. I suspect only good things to come from BP Diaz as he boasts of his many accomplishments, and maybe a surprise from him.

Lastly our friends at the Bedford Mosholu Community Association are hosting their Annual Flea Market on Saturday March 9th location to be announced. BMCA will be accepting donations of new & used items “except clothing” at their office located at 400E. Mosholu Parkway (Apt B1) on Wednesday February 20th & 27th from 1:30 – 3:30 PM, on Saturday March 2nd from 1:30 – 4:00 PM, and on Wednesday March 6th from 7:30 – 9:00 PM during their monthly meeting.

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.

Child Carjacking Caught on Tape