Safety

UPDATE Elections 2023: Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark on Safety & Criminal Justice

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition.   Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark made history in 2016 when she was elected as the first African American woman to ascend to the role of district attorney in the State of New York, as well as the first woman to hold the position of Bronx district attorney. As she runs for reelection for the third time in June 2023, we take a look back at her career to date, and her mission “to lead with empathy and compassion” while balancing safety


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Westchester Square: Bronx Man Charged in Killing of 15-Year-Old Stepson

By SÍLE MOLONEY
         Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Wednesday, April 5, that a Bronx man has been charged with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide in the death of his 15-year-old stepson, as reported.   In the context of the announcement, Clark said, “The defendant allegedly got into a dispute with his stepson, and restrained him by grabbing his neck, causing a lack of oxygen which led to the boy’s death. It is horrific that his life was taken at such a young age.” She said the defendant, Tyresse Minter, 28, was arraigned on Wednesday on charges of second-degree manslaughter


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Fordham Manor: Arrest Made in Fatal Shooting of Norwood Resident, Angel “Pookie” Cuasant

By SÍLE MOLONEY & DAVID GREENE
The NYPD said the department has made an arrest in the fatal shooting in Fordham Manor of 26-year-old Norwood resident, Angel “Pookie” Cuasant, on Dec. 18, 2022.   An NYPD spokesperson said on Wednesday, April 5, that Andres Latorre, 37, from East 158th Street in the Melrose section of The Bronx was arrested, and charged with murder, manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon. As reported, police said officers responded to a 911 call regarding a male who had been shot inside 2650 Briggs Avenue in Fordham Manor on Sunday, Dec. 18, at 11.13 a.m.   “Upon arrival, they discovered


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Norwood: Police Search for 13-Year-Old Girl Reported Missing

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance locating a 13-year-old girl reported missing from Norwood.   Police said Leanna Fernandez of 3070 Hull Avenue was last seen on Monday, April 3, at around 2.30 p.m., leaving her home. She is described as female, 5 feet, 3 inches tall, Hispanic, weighs 150 pounds, has a light complexion, a medium build, black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing grey sweatpants, a navy blue, hooded sweatshirt, and red and white sneakers.   Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of this individual is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline


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National Weather Service: Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued April 1 from 5:10 p.m. to 10 p.m.  

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The National Weather Service storm prediction center issued a severe thunderstorm watch on April 1 which they said is in effect from 5:10 p.m. until 10 p.m. on April 1.    Officials said the thunderstorm watch is in effect for the following New York counties: Albany, The Bronx, Columbia, Dutchess, Fulton, Greene, Herkimer, Kings, Montgomery, Nassau, New York (Manhattan), Orange, Putnam, Queens, Rensselaer, Richmond, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Suffolk, Ultster and Westchester.   Residents are advised to take precaution when traveling as visibility may be poor.   Meanwhile, New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) is reminding all builders, contractors,


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Feds Recall 53,000 Scooters/Hoverboards Made by Brooklyn Company Due to Fire Hazard & Deaths of Two Children

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Jetson Electric Bikes LLC, of Brooklyn, New York, announced the recall of about 53,000 42-volt, Jetson Rogue, self-balancing scooters/hoverboards on March 30, due to a fire hazard and two deaths. According to CPSC and Jetson, the lithium-ion battery packs in the self-balancing scooters/hoverboards can overheat, posing a fire hazard.   In the context of the recall, representatives of CPSC and Jetson, said a 10-year-old girl and her 15-year-old sister died from a fire on April 1, 2022 in Hellertown, Pennsylvania and that the Hellertown Borough Fire Marshal determined that a 42-volt Jetson


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Search for 12-Year-Old Girl from Staten Island Missing Since March 16

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) is asking for the public’s help in locating Kaniya Graham, a 12-year-old girl reported missing from Staten Island, and in getting her home safely.   NCMEC representatives said Kaniya has been missing since March 16, and has never gone missing before. According to police, she was last seen on the day she went missing on surveillance footage walking in Lower Manhattan around Beaver Street and Broad Street. Police said she was wearing a white sweat suit which had cartoon characters on it and pink UGG boots. Kaniya is described as being


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University Heights 14-Year-Old Girl Reported Missing, Last Seen at her School

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The NYPD is seeking the public’s help locating a 14-year-old girl from University Heights who has been reported missing.   Police said it was reported to them that Chantal Vazquez Fong Ruby of 1 North Street was last seen on Friday, March 24, at around 8.05 a.m. at her school, located at 2392 Jerome Avenue in Fordham Heights. She is described as female, is around 5 feet, 2 inches tall, is Hispanic, weighs around 120 pounds, has brown eyes and black hair.   Chantal was last seen wearing a black, hooded sweatshirt, a white t-shirt displaying an angel graphic, black


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AG Announces Prison Sentences for Five Bronx Gun & Heroin Trafficking Ring Members

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the sentencings of five people on Wednesday, March 29, for their role in a gun trafficking operation which resulted in the illegal sale of 16 guns in The Bronx. She said the five defendants, who were charged with trafficking numerous assault weapons, high-capacity feeding devices, semiautomatic pistols, and more than 300 rounds of ammunition, all pled guilty and were sentenced for their respective crimes.   Additionally, two of the defendants, Luis Alsina and Michael Alsina, were also sentenced for their roles in the sale of heroin, officials said. Altogether, all five defendants


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