Wakefield News: No angels

Wakefield News: No angels: Wakefield Area News By Mary V. Lauro BRONX, NEW YORK, June 18- "If men were angels," wrote James Madison in Federalist Paper No. 51 back...

No angels

Wakefield Area News

By Mary V. Lauro

BRONX, NEW YORK, June 18- "If men were angels," wrote James Madison in Federalist Paper No. 51 back in 1788, “No government would be necessary.” Well and good. But does that mean they are devils?

It certainly seems so. Almost on a daily basis, through the news media, we learn of another elected official being accused of or indicted of criminal behavior. Wakefield has already suffered the conviction of State Senator Guy Velella. We understand that on June 19, Councilman Larry Seabrook will again go to trial for a variety of offenses.

The list of elected officials who are being investigated, or who leave much to be desired is long, but we concentrate on those closest to us keeping in mind that an accusation or an investigation does not mean guilt. We repeat that. An accusation does not mean guilt. On the other hand, where there is smoke, there usually is fire. We mention Pedro Espada because we had one of his clinics right here in Wakefield. He has been convicted on at least one count.

Sadly, earlier this year The New York Post ran a news story insinuating foul play by our Senator Jeffrey Klein. Nothing further has been heard which is good news, more for him than for the electorate. And now, we have Congressman Engel being criticized for taking a mortgage from one of his highest donors. Not illegal, but not right. Even so and above all, let's not forget the Spitzer debacle.

When one considers that this nation was forged by men who pledged their “sacred honor,” one wonders how that honor was lost in so short a time. Consider that at the urging of former Mayor Ed Koch, the majority in both houses of our state legislature pledged to reject any gerrymandering made on a partisan basis. Seventy five of those lawmakers broke their promise, four of them from New York City and one of them none other than our own Senator Klein!

The prevalence of all sorts of hanky-panky in our government led to the formation of the Center for Public Integrity which has been around for some time. This year it ranked our state government 15th from the bottom of the 50 states. Can you imagine? That is worse than getting a D. It is almost an F.

Well, it should be no surprise. We know that we have some sterling legislators working for us whether it be in the City Council, the Assembly or the Senate, but we also know we have some duds who do very little else but the work on getting re-elected usually by spreading our tax dollars to favorite causes or persons and taking advantage of every photo opportunity. The sad thing is that, we, the voters, permit this to go on. But that is another story.

In any case, we are asking all our legislators to look into three problems that the average citizen is dealing with. They should not be difficult to solve if they put their heads together. First is the parking problem. Left unchecked, road rage will take second place to parking rage. Lives will be lost. By the same token, Muni meters should be brought to the attention of the Supreme Court as a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Second, adjustment is needed in rental laws for two and three-family houses. Eviction of problematic and non-paying tenants is entirely too long, and costly. And third, how about bringing some order to our zoning ordinances and our building regulations? The City is harboring hundreds of fire traps in illegal conversions.

Are these three items really so difficult to accomplish?

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Rangel’s Challenger Shines

Congressional Candidate Brings Leadership Qualities to Race

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, June 18- No stranger to politics, Clyde Williams has worked under both President Bill Clinton and Barack Obama and has now set his sights on the 13 Congressional District, currently held by Charles Rangel.

Williams recently took time out from his busy campaign schedule to sit down to discuss his background, experience and what he hopes to accomplish for the newly redrawn district that now includes parts of the Bronx, if elected.

Williams, 49, was born and raised in Washington, DC., and is the former head of the Democratic National Committee as well as being the Deputy Chief of Staff at the Department of Agriculture, overseeing 100,000 employees and an $18 million annual budget.

Williams explained, "I'm the only person who's running against Congressman Rangel who's actually worked in Washington, DC... I'm the only person who can hit the ground tomorrow and actually do something to bring resources to this Congressional District."

On Congressman Rangel, Williams politely stated, "I respect the Congressman, but I think it's time for new leadership, it's time for a change."

Williams continued, "The two major people I'm running against, they both represent the political establishment, they represent the political machine that is New York... they haven't even talked about issues yet."

On those issues, Williams states, "You have a huge health care disparity that exists in this community, same thing with education... and unemployment. Our unemployment is almost twice the national average."

Williams is married to his wife Mona, whom he actually met in the, "Situation room," at the White House, the couple have two small children and reside in Harlem.

Anthony Rivieccio, Director of the Northwest Bronx Democrats, has thrown his support behind Williams as he has been meeting voters in Bedford Park, Norwood and Van Cortland Village.

Rivieccio stated, "We support Clyde Williams because we are looking for an independent, non-house Democrat. I think in the Bronx he has a good chance of winning."

Primary Day is slated for Tuesday, June 26.   

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Gun Buy Back is Now 24/7

BRONX, NEW YORK, June 15- The NYPD Community Affairs Bureau would like to ensure all citizens are aware of a critical program to take guns off the streets and to make our community a safer place.

The Cash for Guns Program is a program in which the New York City Police Department will pay $100 to any individual (excluding active law enforcement personnel and gun dealers) who present any handgun that is in apparent operative condition to any police precinct, transit district or housing police service area (PSA). To date over 6,000 deadly firearms have been surrendered since the program’s inception.

Qualifying weapons include: revolvers, semiautomatic and automatic pistols, sawed-off shotguns, or assault weapons. Weapons that do not qualify will be taken under the Cash for Guns Program, but will not qualify for the cash payment. An individual may surrender more than three weapons, but cash reimbursement will only be made for a maximum of a total of three weapons. 

Any individual turning in a qualifying weapon may do so at any police precinct, transit district or housing PSA, 24-hours a day, seven days a week. No questions asked and no identification will be required, as the identity of all individuals will remain anonymous.  While you may surrender the weapon at any of the above locations, cash payments will be made only from the following Patrol Borough Cash for Guns Central

Locations upon surrendering weapons:

Manhattan South: 7^th Precinct, 19½ Pitt Street, New York, NY 10013

Manhattan North: 26^th Precinct, 520 West 126^th Street, New York, NY 10027   

                    

Bronx: 48^th Precinct, 450 Cross Island Expressway, Bronx, NY 10457                                                     

Brooklyn South: 61^st Precinct, 2575 Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn, NY  11223                     

Brooklyn North: 90^th Precinct, 211 Union Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Queens South: 107^th Precinct, 71-01 Parsons Blvd., Flushing, NY 11365                                                      

Queens North: 112^th Precinct, 68-40 Austin Street, Forest Hills, NY 11375                                                

Staten Island: 78 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301

For more information on this, or any of the other programs we offer, as part of our ongoing mission of “Police and Community Working Together” please call our office at 646-610-5323, or visit us online at www.nypdcommunityaffairs.org

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Crime in the Bronx

Blotter Notes

By David Greene

PAIR WOUNDED IN WAKEFILED... 

Police responding to calls of shots fired, discovered a man and woman both shot in the leg. 

The incident was reported at 2:40 a.m., on June 12.The victims were transported to an area hospital and were expected to recover. No description of the gunman was available.

TASER THIEF IN FOXHURST

Police were called to 1033 Faile Street at just after 2 a.m., on Tuesday, June 12, for a call of an armed robbery. 

The victim reported that he was robbed by a man with a taser. The suspect was described as a male Black with dreadlocks, who fled the scene on foot.

FATAL TRAIN STRIKE ON CONCOURSE

Police were called to the D-Train at E. 167 Street and the Grand Concourse, for reports of a person struck by a train. 

The incident was reported at 9:30 p.m. on June 11. Rescue crews frantically tried to reach the individual, who was declared dead at the scene less than 15-minutes later. No additional information was available at this time.

BROOK AVENUE SHOOTING... 

Police from the 40th Precinct were called to Brook Avenue and E. 139 Street, for reports of a man shot. 

The incident was reported at 4:20 p.m., on June 11. The unidentified victim was shot in the leg and removed to Lincoln Hospital in stable condition. Police were reportedly searching a building, located at 570 E. 139 Street, for the suspects described as two male Hispanics, one 6-feet tall and wearing a green Addidas shirt.

SCHOOL BUS DRIVER ASSAULTED

Police were called to the scene of an assault of a school bus driver. 

The incident was reported at 12:05 p.m., at the corner of E. Tremont Avenue and Anthony Avenue. The bus driver was removed to a local hospital in serious, but stable condition. Officer's from the 46th Precinct were looking for the suspect, described as a Black male.

HOME AVENUE JUMPER

Rescue crews were called to 355 Home Avenue, for reports of a person had jumped from a building. 

Upon their arrival, officers discovered the victim on the ground after jumping from an unknown height. The victims condition and circumstances are still not known at this time.

DOUBLE SHOOTING ON UNION AVE. 

Officers from the 40th Precinct were called to the scene of shots fired and discovered two gunshot victims. 

The incident unfolded at 1:30 p.m., on June 10. The two victims were rushed to a local hospital, their conditions are not yet known.

BRONX RIVER CRASH

Rescue crews removed one victim after a vehicle overturned. 

The crash was reported at 12:30 a.m., on June 10, on the southbound Bronx River Parkway at the E. 177 Street exit. One victim was extricated and rushed to a nearby hospital. The person's condition is not yet known.

MAN SHOT IN SOUNDVIEW

Police from the 43rd Precinct were called to the scene of a male shot. 

The incident took place in the stairwell of the James Monroe Houses, located at 1755 Story Avenue, at 12:15 p.m., on June 9. The 20-year old victim was expected to recover. 

Police were looking for a suspect, described as a male Black, wearing a NASCAR cap and black pants who fled the scene.

FISH AVENUE SLASHING

Police from the 47th Precinct were called to the scene of a female slashed in the face with a razor. 

Police arrived at 3467 Fish Avenue, at 12:20 p.m., on June 9, and discovered the victim. One suspect was quickly apprehended.

149 STREET BANK ROBBER

Police were looking for the individual who robbed a bank in the south Bronx. Police were called to 360 E. 149 Street after an individual passed a note to the teller and fled with an undetermined amount of U.S. currency. The suspect was described as a male Black, 5' 5'' tall, with a slim build.

OFFICER SHOT AT FIRING RANGE

EMS was requested to Rodman's Neck, for a police officer reported shot at the NYPD shooting range. 

The female corrections officer was reportedly accidentally shot in the leg and rushed to Jacobi Hospital in stable condition after the incident, which took place at just after 7 p.m., on June 7.

BAYCHESTER BANK ROBBERY

Police were called to a Baychester bank after a call of a robbery. The incident was reported at the CitiBank, located at 3955 Baychester Avenue, at Strang Avenue, at 9:30 a.m., on June 7. Police were looking for a male Black, dressed in black, who fled the scene.

E.241 STREET STABBING

Police and EMS were called to 691 E. 241 Street for a report of a person stabbed. 

Upon their arrival officers discovered the victim in critical condition. The suspect was described as a male Black, wearing a green and white hoodie and a yellow baseball cap with the words, "Old Navy," on it. No other details were immediately available.

If you have witnessed or have information on a violent crime, you may give your information anonymously by calling 1 (800) 577-TIPS or TEXT: Crimes. ENTER: TIPS577.   

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Cop Charged in Graham Shooting

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BRONX, NEW YORK, June 13- District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced the indictment and arrest of a New York City Police Officer for the shooting death last Winter of Ramarley Graham, an 18-year-old unarmed civilian.

The grand jury charged Police Officer Richard Haste, 31, with one count of manslaughter in the first degree, a Class B felony offense, and one count of manslaughter in the second degree, a Class C felony offense. Conviction of the most serious Class B felony charge is punishable by a maximum sentence of up to 25 years imprisonment. If Haste is found guilty of the less serious Class C felony offense, the maximum sentence allowed by law would be no more than 15 years imprisonment.

Haste, a Bronx resident assigned to the 47^th Precinct, was arraigned before Acting State Supreme Court Justice Martin Marcus. The judge set bail at $50,000 cash or bond and adjourned the case to Thursday, September 13, 2012 in State Supreme Court Part 60.

Ramarley Graham was shot to death in a bathroom in his home on East 229^th Street on February 2, 2012.

The indictment alleges that Haste “caused the death… while acting with intent to cause serious physical injury (to Ramarley Graham) by shooting him.” The grand jury also alleges that the defendant had acted “recklessly” in causing Graham’s death.

The charges in the indictment are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

District Attorney Johnson thanked the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau, the 47^th Precinct Detective Squad, Bronx District Attorney Detective Investigators, Assistant District Attorney Peter Kennedy and Senior Trial Assistant District Attorneys Donald Levin and Nancy Borko for their work on the exhaustive four-month-long investigation that resulted in this indictment.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Trial Assistant District Attorney Donald Levin and Assistant District Attorney Peter Kennedy of the Investigations Division.

BP Blasts Paper for Comparing Bronx to Baghdad

BP Blasts Paper for Comparing Bronx to Baghdad

Calls Bx Albanians Mobsters

Letter to the Editor:

(In an open letter to the Litchfield County Times, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. blasted the paper for what he calls “libelous” attacks on the Bronx and its residents)

To The Editor:

I am writing in response to the libelous and entirely unforgivable opinion piece published in your newspaper last week, “Monet on the Hudson, a Bronx Tale From Deyan Ranko Brashich.” While this piece was written ostensibly to promote an exhibit at the New York Botanical Garden, the author instead spends his time badmouthing the Bronx in outdated ways.

The errors in Mr. Brashich’s piece are numerous, and a simple phone call to my office or any number of other Bronx institutions would have made that clear. Mr. Brashich writes that the Bronx lacks vegetation and that the Bronx River is polluted; ignoring the fact that 25 percent of our borough is parkland, and that the Bronx River is so clean today that beavers have returned to make their homes there.

The author complains that our borough is covered in graffiti, calls the Bronx a “ghetto” and compares our borough to Baghdad. These are disgusting, false descriptions, and serve no purpose other than to denigrate the amazing community myself and 1.4 million others call home.

The list goes on. In perhaps the most disgusting portion of this piece, Mr. Brashich manages to slander the hardworking Albanian community of the Bronx, referring to them as “America’s newest version of the Mafia.” To refer to the proud Albanian community in such a derogatory manner is absolutely disgusting, and it is a characterization that the entire Bronx resents.

To be fair, your newspaper is allowed to publish whatever it likes, no matter how shameful, repulsive or lacking in truth it may be. With that said, one would hope that the articles that run under your banner would meet basic standards of decency, rather than rely on the stereotypes of the 1970s to make a point about a Monet exhibit.

Had Mr. Brashich actually bothered to pay attention to the Bronx during his visit, he would have seen a beautiful place that has made great strides in the areas of housing, economic development, education and public safety, just to name a few. On behalf of the people of the Bronx I demand a retraction of this garbage, and I would hope that your newspaper would not resort to publishing such nonsense in the future.

I would also invite you and your readers to visit ilovethebronx.com, the official website of the Bronx Tourism Council, to learn more about all of the wonderful things that are happening in the Bronx.

Sincerely, Ruben Diaz Jr.