New 5-2 CO Attacks 2018 Crime Spike

By BOB KAPPSTATTER

When Deputy Inspector Thomas Alps took over as commander of Norwood’s 52nd Precinct this past November, he had his work cut out for him. Overall crime in the precinct covering Norwood, Bedford Park, Kingsbridge Heights, Fordham, and University Heights, was up 5.52 percent last year. Murders, though comparatively lower in number to past history, were up 250 percent, with eight murders last year compared to two in 2017. Broken down, two of the murders were domestic, with at least one involving what Alps said was a stepfather and son, and two domestic partners; four involved disputes, one narcotics and the eighth

Giving Time, Feeling Good About it, At Walton House

By DAVID GREENE

Dozens of volunteers recently gathered at eight assisted living residences across the city, including Walton House in the Tremont section, for “A Day of Action Against Homelessness.” More than 200 volunteers from nearly a dozen companies like Wells Fargo, Black Rock and Digitalware, joined the staff of the Jericho Project at their newest building at 2065 Walton Ave., where they assisted in placing holiday decorations and brought holiday food they shared with residents. The Walton Avenue building opened in July and was designed from young adults and members of the military. The building was also the first completed under Mayor

Bronx Projects Take Center Stage in State of the City

By DAVID CRUZ

Mayor Bill de Blasio’s fifth State of the City address saw the immediate creation of a Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants, a plan for increased worker protections, expanded 3K program, while also promoting a plan for guaranteed healthcare and a paid two-week vacation proposal for employees. Surprisingly, there were some specifics for the Bronx, a point that was not lost on Democratic colleagues like Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., who’s expressed interest in running for mayor in 2021. Still, Diaz criticized de Blasio’s proposal to take buildings away from landlords with a history of harassment and poor building management.

Editor’s Pick Free Fitness Fun The Williamsbridge Oval presents the following free classes during January. A lock is required. For more information, call (718) 543-8672: Bodywork Details – Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., for teens, adults and seniors. Includes use of barbells and weights. Each week focuses on a different body part. Equipment is provided. Zumba – Sundays from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., for all ages. Includes Latin, international and popular music to create dance routines. Onstage Lehman College’s Center for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Pk. Blvd., W., presents Ballet Hispánico, Jan. 19 at 8 p.m., featuring contemporary

The Bucs Stop Here: Bronx Buccaneers forced out of Oval Park

By MARTIKA ORNELLA

The friendly rivalry between youth football teams in the Bronx and Harlem took a contentious turn thanks to one online petition. Keith Spivey Jr., coach of the Bronx Buccaneers, a Norwood-based youth football program with players ranging in age from 8 to 14 years-old, created the petition to drum up support over the team’s removal from their usual Saturday practice time at Williamsbridge Oval Park. In the petition, Spivey claims the Buccaneers were pushed out by the field’s current permit holder, Richard Hernandez, for the sake of the Manhattan-based Harlem Jets. Hernandez, once affiliated with the Buccaneers, left the team

By DAVID CRUZ

Dear Fellow Readers! The Norwood News is out with its latest edition covering the Bronx. In our last edition of the year, we bring you the latest! The front page story looks at 2018 with our traditional Year in Review, highlighting several major stories that happened throughout the year. We spent several days narrowing down the list. We hope you agree. With the new year here, we give you a briefing of all the new laws you have to comply with now. Meantime, hear what Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. wants from Amtrak when it comes to the stalled

By DAVID GREENE

I will try and be a better person and make better decisions and, I guess, get better at school and make my mom proud. Hopefully, the Bronx can become a cleaner place and we can reduce the pollution. Chicago Smith Morris Park I’m not really giving up anything for the new year, but I guess I’d like people to be better to each other and be more friendly to each other instead of being bad. I hope the Bronx becomes a better place to live in; safer. I know it’s not that bad, but it could be better. Gabriel

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By JOSEPH KONIG

Ahead of what Democrats say will be an historically active legislative session in Albany, here are some notable new laws coming to the Bronx at the beginning of 2019. Tobacco Sale Banned in Pharmacies As part of a bill passed in 2017, New York City pharmacies will no longer sell tobacco products. The nation’s largest pharmacy chain, CVS, famously stopped selling tobacco products in 2014, but now all New York City pharmacies will join them. The law will also affect big box stores and supermarkets with pharmacy departments. According to Councilman Brad Lander, the pharmacy ban and heavy taxation of

By DAVID CRUZ

The Top Stories This Norwood News’ Year in Review saw continued development in the Bronx, political newcomers combatting giants, and a troubling violent crime trend for the local precinct. The paper pored through all 25 editions of 2018 that graced the stands, stores, and other locations in the Bronx, sifting through repeat stories that had, from an editorial standpoint, the greatest impact. Here are the highlights: Homicides in Norwood The Norwood News was there to report on the rise in homicides happening in Norwood and the surrounding areas that comprise the 52nd Precinct. The body count went from a total