Baychester News: Construction Workers Charged with Gang Assault in ...

Baychester News: Construction Workers Charged with Gang Assault in ...: BRONX, NEW YORK, April 24- District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced that an indictment was unsealed charging five members of a ...

Construction Workers Charged with Gang Assault in Scab Smackdown

BRONX, NEW YORK, April 24- District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced that an indictment was unsealed charging five members of a minority labor coalition with multiple counts of assault, weapons possession, and coercion stemming from a protest seeking jobs at a construction site.

The 42-count indictment charges defendants Sammy Lopez, Freddy Diaz, Willie Lidge, Carlos Cruz, and Leon Daniels with gang assault in the first and second degrees, attempted gang assault in the first and second degrees, assault in the first and second degrees, coercion in the first degree, and criminal possession of a weapon in the third and fourth degrees. 

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

The defendants are facing maximum sentences of up to 25 years imprisonment if convicted of the most serious Class B felony offenses of gang assault in the first degree and assault in the first degree.

These charges stem from a violent confrontation on October 26, 2010 over a demand for jobs at a construction site at Bronxwood Avenue and East 213^th Street. It is alleged that dozens of members of United Hispanic Construction Workers, Inc. converged on the site armed with axe handles, hammers and shovels in an effort to stop work if their members were not given jobs. An ensuing argument escalated and culminated in the unarmed workers being attacked. Several workers sustained serious injuries including a broken jaw and broken ribs, a head injury requiring staples to close the wound, and various injuries to the back, arms and forearms.

The target of the jobs protest was the Maspeth Supply Company which had been awarded a $25 million contract by the City of New York to repair water mains, sewer lines, streets and curbs at over a dozen locations in the Williamsbridge section of the Bronx.

The indictment unsealed consolidated charges filed previously. The defendants were arraigned on the superseding indictment before Acting State Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett.

Sammy Lopez, 56, of Rogers Place, is free on bail of $350,000 bond or $150,000 cash.

Freddy Diaz, 47, of Timpson Place, is being held in lieu of $150,000 bond or $75,000 cash.

Willie Lidge, 26, of Webster Avenue, is being held in lieu of $250,000 bond or $100,000 cash.

Carlos Cruz, 34, of Simpson Street, is being held in lieu of $200,000 bond or $100,000 cash.

Leon Daniels, 56, Walton Avenue, is being held in lieu of $85,000 bond or $35,000 cash.

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Biker Battles

Biker Battles Cops involved in another controversial chase of dirt biker rider leaving 1 injured By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, March 27- An elderly man crossing the street and an illegal dirt bike rider are recovering, after witnesses say an NYPD cruiser caused the crash. According to police, the 77-year-old pedestrian was crossing Boston Road at Thwaites Place in the Bronxwood section at just before 5 p.m., on March 24, when he was struck by a still-unidentified 20-year-old illegal dirt bike rider, traveling southbound on Boston Road. Witnesses and police have stated that the African-American dirt bike rider suffered a serious head injury and was bleeding from his noise. The elderly white male was reported to be face down in the roadway, the bike reportedly slammed into his legs. On witnesses recalled, "He hit the old man that was crossing and the guy on the motorcycle was driving against the light. The guy on the motorcycle was with a group of more than 20." Some witnesses have estimated the caravan of illegal dirt bikes, three-wheelers and all-terrain vehicles (ATV) was as many as 50, as the victim was crossing with the light, when he was rundown outside of the Steven Restaurant. "The police were after them," the witness claimed, when the police cruiser from the 49th Precinct allegedly bumped the bike just before the intersection, causing the chain reaction crash. One employee at the C-Town across the street, offered, “Customers were saying that the cop car hit the motorcycle and it crashed into the man.” The police department has so far discounted claims that a police cruiser caused the crash and have stated the cruiser was making a U-turn when the motorcyclist lost control. The officer behind the wheel of the police vehicle closest to the dirt bike was briefly questioned by a detective and a Highway Patrol investigator. Both victims were reported at Jacobi Hospital in serious, but stable condition. One published report stated the bike rider was in police custody, and so far has not been charged. Another witness said of the group of riders, "They saw their friend get hit and was on the floor, but they kept going." The accident comes as biker Alberto Gonzalez is currently on trial regarding a similar incident back on August 11, in Hunts Point, where he faces resisting arrest and reckless endangerment charges. Video released on March 24, clearly shows an NYPD cruiser from the 41st Precinct, striking the bike. That crash claimed the life of building superintendent Eddie Fernandez, 28, who was thrown into a pole. On October 27, Ronald Herrera, 20, died and a passenger was seriously injured during a chase with a police cruiser along Walton Avenue. Once again, the NYPD stated that the cruiser did not cause the crash, witnesses say the cruiser bumped the dirt bike.

Register Gun Offenders-BP says

BRONX, NEW YORK, February 21- In his annual “State of the Borough” address, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. called on the New York State Legislature to create a new “gun crime registry,” with reporting requirements similar to New York State’s sex offender registry.

“We must also ensure that those who engage in gun violence are not allowed to escape the spotlight,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “Law-abiding citizens ought to know who among us is responsible for gun violence, and this initiative will do just that.”

Diaz’s proposed registry would be available online, and would require perpetrators convicted of crimes involving a gun to keep updated records with the police regarding their living and employment arrangements. Gun crime offenders, under the proposal, would be required to remain on the registry for at least ten years, and could be removed from the registry for good behavior following that initial time period.

Among other requirements, those convicted of gun crimes would have to:

• Report annually where they live by signing and returning an annual verification form within ten (10) days after receiving it.
• Notify law enforcement officials in writing of a new address no later than 10 days after moving.
• Report in person to a local police agency to have a current photograph taken every three years.
• Personally verify their addresses every 90 days with law enforcement for a period of three consecutive years after the conviction. After three years without any further arrests, the individual will eligible for a modified reporting schedule. Law enforcement may at that time photograph an offender if that offender’s appearance has changed.

Under Borough President Diaz’s proposal, failure to perform any of the registration obligations would be considered a felony level crime. A first conviction would be punishable as a Class E felony; a second or subsequent conviction is punishable as a Class D felony.

Individuals unable to secure employment would be assigned a case worker to identify career counseling services, training opportunities and other available social services.

Borough President Diaz stated that, in the coming weeks and months, he would engage in conversations with members of the New York State Legislature to begin the process of crafting legislation and building support for this unique initiative.

“A safer New York State, and a safer nation, demands that we shine a light on those individuals who would commit gun crimes in our neighborhoods. An easily-accessible gun crime registry will serve as an excellent tool not only to keep neighborhoods informed about crime, but to serve as a deterrent from such acts. I look forward to working with the New York State Legislature to pass this important piece of legislation,” said Borough President Diaz.

During his annual “State of the Borough” address, Borough President Diaz also praised the New York State Legislature for passing the NY SAFE Act in January. He also called for new laws requiring ammunition micro stamping, limiting the number of guns and amount of ammunition an individual can purchase at any given time, and requiring a drug test to get a gun license.

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Baychester News: Another One Bites the Dust?

Baychester News: Another One Bites the Dust?: --> COMMUNITY BOARD NEWS N’ VIEWS By Father Richard F. Gorman Chairman Community Board #12 (The Bronx) BRONX, NEW Y...

Another One Bites the Dust?

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COMMUNITY BOARD

NEWS N’ VIEWS

By Father Richard F. Gorman

Chairman

Community Board #12 (The Bronx)

BRONX, NEW YORK, February 14- Amidst all of the bad news as of late concerning the passing of the great, three-term, one hundred fifth Mayor of the City of New York, Edward Irving Koch; the wrath of an epic snowstorm and the dire conditions that remained in its wake; and this morning’s news from the Vatican that Pope Benedict XVI has decided to become the first Pope to resign from office in nearly six (6) centuries, it is somewhat understandable that perhaps a bit of very important good news would appear to have gone unnoticed and by the boards.  Overlooked and disregarded as it might have been, though, this information was as profound in its effect as its announcement was greeted with enthusiasm.  In a decisive action that rapped the knuckles of the Bloomberg Administration and encouraged the residents of Community Board #12 (The Bronx), the Comptroller of the City of New York, The Honorable John C. Liu, announced on Thursday morning, 7 February 2013 that his office was rejecting a contract in the amount of some ninety-one million dollars ($91,000,000.00) to operate a homeless shelter for two (200) hundred men in the now shuttered SARGEANT JOSEPH E. MULLER UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE CENTER (M.U.S.A.R.C.) located at 555 East 238TH Street/Nereid Avenue in Bronx Community District #12.  The homeless facility was slated to be operated by THE DOE FUND, INCORPORATED, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization headquartered in Manhattan, whose Founder and President, Mr. George A. McDonald, is a candidate in the upcoming Republican Primary for Mayor.

In refusing to certify the contract between the New York City Department of Homeless Services (N.Y.C.D.H.S.) and Mr. McDonald’s outfit, Comptroller Liu cited as his rationale for so acting the failure of the City of New York to adhere to the process delineated in Federal Law governing the transfer of closing United States military bases to local jurisdictions for projects designed to assist homeless persons.  In other words, the Comptroller was upholding and agreeing with the longstanding assertion of The Honorable Ruben Diaz, Jr., Borough President of The Bronx, that no properly and legitimately convoked meeting of the Local Redevelopment Authority (L.R.A.), the body constituted and empowered by Federal legislation to determine the future use of decommissioned bases, ever took place.  Borough President Diaz, along with Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Linda I. Gibbs and Mr. Tokumbo Shobowale, the Chief of Staff to Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert K. Steel, comprised the L.R.A., whose meetings required a quorum of all three (3) aforesaid members in order to meet and to take action.  The Bloomberg Administration’s two (2) L.R.A. appointees maintained that a duly-constituted meeting did take place at which it was voted to turn the Muller Center over to THE DOE FUND.  Borough President Diaz vehemently denied this, having specifically stated that any gathering with Deputy Mayor Gibbs and Mr. Shobowale was informal in nature only and solely for the purpose of airing differences on the disposition of the M.U.S.A.R.C. Indeed, no agenda was formulated for this gathering and no minutes were either recorded or printed.  Moreover, it was months after the three (3) public officials unofficially met off the record that the Bloomberg folks curiously and abruptly came up with the claim that a bona fide meeting and decision had taken place.  Comptroller Liu’s investigation of this matter failed to produce any solid evidence to support the City’s contention.

Community Board #12 (The Bronx) and its Wakefield neighborhood specifically have been threatened in the past year with a homeless colony consisting of four (4) facilities in close proximity to each other.  If all four (4) facilities were to be opened, Wakefield would be burdened with several hundred homeless individuals, many of whom are afflicted with alcohol and chemical dependencies and/or mental health issues.  Fortunately, a few months ago, after negotiation with Community Board #12, Department of Homeless Services Commissioner Seth Diamond announced that he would not open a shelter on White Plains Road at East 240TH Street in an apartment complex constructed and owned by developer Mark Stagg and his STAGG GROUP.  Comptroller Liu’s action, taken at the behest and in support of the Borough President of The Bronx, holds open the prospect, even if at least temporarily, that only two (2) facilities housing the homeless will be opened in Wakefield.  The Comptroller’s refusal to certify the contract with THE DOE FUND can, and will most probably, be brought by Mayor Bloomberg and his Corporation Counsel to court, where Mr. Liu’s can either be upheld in his determination or ordered by the Judiciary to certify the contract.  Let us hope that the Judge who hears the case is as forthright as our Borough President in standing for the truth and as courageous as Comptroller Liu in standing up to the Bloomberg Administration for its perfidious and fraudulent manner of undertaking what is supposed to be the PEOPLE’S business.

Our accolades and appreciation go wholeheartedly to Messrs. Diaz and Liu for coming together as an effective and valiant tag-team for the hard-working, honest taxpayers of Community Board #12 (The Bronx).  If legal action is to be initiated at this juncture, perhaps it should be to uncover whether or not any Federal statutes were violated by the knowingly bogus and patently counterfeit claims made by officials of the Bloomberg Administration in order to secure possession of the Muller Center for the City of New York in breach of a process required by Federal law.  Such would be a much more pertinent and apropos recourse to the courts on this topic.  Perhaps prior to leaving office at the conclusion of this year, Mayor Bloomberg and friends need to learn that not telling the truth is not only disreputable and dishonest, but also unlawful and illegal.

Until next time, that is it for this time!

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Baychester News: Spellman Coach Reaches 300 Wins

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