By David Cruz 

They poured into Community Board 7’s headquarters on April 3, frustrated and searching for answers. But they’ve only arrived at one conclusion—the crime and disrepair at 2922 Grand Concourse is deliberate, and it’s okay with management.

The Bedford Park building tenants have pressed the 52^nd Precinct to redouble its investigative efforts in solving some burglaries that have happened inside the vulnerable six-story building.

Tenants, some living there for 20 years, have asked to remain anonymous for fearing retaliation from 2922 LLC and Apartment Rental Masters, the management company that’s left the building in disrepair in vulnerable to crime.

Burglaries are the main crime happening inside the –story building. In one bizarre case, tenants explained that some keys not only fit the front door to the building but to other apartments, believing several some burglaries were inside jobs. Tenants expressed concern this could happen again, later requesting cameras to be installed in the building.

“This is not forced entry,” said one tenant. “Not in my apartment, not in her apartment, not in his apartment. So this is internal!”

Police nonetheless pointed the finger at management as the main “root of the problem,” telling tenants to take their frustrations to management. Community Officer Dimas “June” Cortez of the 52^nd Precinct reminded tenants that the NYPD cannot solve management issues, only crimes.

“When it comes to repairs, when it comes to your cameras, when it comes to everything else, I’m very sorry but we have nothing to do with that,” said Cortez.

Repeated calls to the investigating detective requesting an update have gone nowhere, said one tenant. A representative from Councilman Andy Cohen’s suggested that the detective meet with tenants at the next public forum, but Cortez said it’s not going to happen.

One solution that was welcomed was residents forming a tenants association. John Snider, the committee chair, resolved to write a letter to Apartment Rental Masters, telling management to correct the issues.  Cortez also ensured tenants that the responding detective will get back to tenants.

The building manager for Apartment Rental Masters did not return a call for comment.

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Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.