NYPD Protesters Mark 20 Years Since Killing of 3 Bronxites

NYPD Protesters Mark 20 Years Since Killing of 3 Bronxites

#NYPD #Police Brutality #AnthonyBaez

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 16- Dozens of vocal demonstrators participated in two gatherings marking the 20th anniversary of the death of three young men who died at the hands of police officers.

On December 22, just two days after police officers Wenijan Liu and Rafael Ramos who shot and killed execution-style in Brooklyn, the families and friends of Anthony Baez gathered on the street where he died.

Baez, 29, was killed during a confrontation with two officers along Cameron Place in the Mount Hope section. Baez had been tossing a football with his brother David, when the ball hit a police cruiser. Officer Frank Livoti then put Baez in a choke hold following after confronting the ball players.

The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide attributed to a choke-hold. Livoti was eventually convicted of violating Baez' civil rights and served six years in federal prison.

Since her son's death, Iris Baez has been an outspoken leader on police brutality. Shortly after her son's death on December 22, 1994, she quickly began meeting family members of other victims and opening her home for gatherings.

"He was just a party kid," the still distraught mother recalled 20 years later. "He just liked to have a lot of people around him... (and) he knew how to defuse a situation."

A little more than two weeks after Baez' death, Anthony Rosario, 18, and Hilton Vega, 21, were shot and killed on Grand Avenue in Morris Heights on January 12, 1995, in a barrage of 28 shots fired by a pair of detectives. Twenty-two of those shots hit their targets and killed both young men.

Margarita Rosario soon immortalized her son and nephew with murals of the pair on her car with the headline: Killed at the Hands of Police. The car was repeatedly vandalized, so she began work on her Kingsbridge Terrace home.

For the last two decades the home has had the larger-than-life murals of the two men along with the names of others killed by police officers.

During a December 27 vigil for Rosario and Vega they added the name of Mohamhed Bah, who was shot and killed by police in Manhattan in September, 2013. Rosario was joined by Hawa Bah, the victims mother.

Addressing the current rift between Mayor Bill de Blasio and Patrolman's Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch, Margarita Rosario told the crowd she was furious, "When I hear (Pat) Lynch saying how the mayor is disrespecting the police officers... instead of sympathizing with the families" of police brutality victims.

Jonathan Cain of the Grand Concourse explained his peaceful demonstrations against the NYPD, saying, "Every cop is not guilty for what happened to Eric Garner and Mike Brown. It was the cops involved in these incidents who are the guilty ones."

Protester Quase Beasley added, "We need to start a conversation on how to fix this broken system, because it's not working the way it is." Beasley vowed to continue her peaceful protesting into the New Year.

Detectives James Crowe and Patrick Brosnan were exonerated by a grand jury, but the city settled a wrongful death suit in 2009, paying the Rosario and Vega families $1.1 million. 

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Cops Still Hunt Perv who Attacked Senior

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Cops Still Hunt Perv who Attacked Senior: Cops Still Hunt Perv who Attacked Senior X-mas Sex Fiend Arrested #NYPD #SexualAssault #Senior #Bronx By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, JAN...

Cops Still Hunt Perv who Attacked Senior

Cops Still Hunt Perv who Attacked Senior

X-mas Sex Fiend Arrested

#NYPD #SexualAssault #Senior #Bronx

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 16- Detectives from the NYPD continue to hunt a young woman after a bizarre claim by a senior citizen, that she was sexually assaulted inside her home-- just steps away from  Fordham University.

Officers were called to the gated Rose Hill Apartments, that overlooks the New York Botanical Gardens and the Fordham Prep football field at 2855 Southern Boulevard in the Fordham section, at 2:30 p.m. on December 27.

The unidentified victim was transported to St. Barnabas Hospital where she was treated and released.

According to a neighbor of the victim who declined to be identified, the woman was at home with her husband when she was attacked at 11:30 p.m. the previous night.

The neighbor also charged that staff at the assisted-living home for seniors refused to call police, until the victim's grandson arrived the following day.

The witness reported, "The son said that she was sexually attacked, so they called the ambulance."

The witness  continued, "I don't know how they went in unless she had the door open... because to come in the building they have security in the front, but there's a lot of Korean people that leave their doors open."

The witness concluded, "They didn't call the police until the son came and then he was so excited there in the lobby, telling them to call the police because his grandmother was sexually attacked."

The resident added, "They have people who speak Korean, but not the people who work here."

The 119-unit building accepts seniors over the age of 62 years-old and is a Section 8 building that boasts in one online advertisement, "affordable housing community serving low income renters." However, sources say studio apartment average $1,324 per month.

An official at Rose Hill Apartments stated, "no comment" and directed calls to the property manager, who was currently unavailable.

Asked about the alleged incident, the official replied, "Actually, I'm not allowed to comment" about the incident.

Sources close to the investigation confirm that the suspect was buzzed in by staff and the suspect gained entry to the apartment by impersonating a caregiver.

According to family members, the suspect eventually pinned the elderly woman to a wall and began to fondle her. The victim resisted, when the young woman fled.

On December 29, the NYPD released a photo of the alleged suspect, a dark haired woman in her 30's, who police say is 5 foot 6 and 135 pounds.

Anyone with any information is asked to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls remain confidential.

In an unrelated incident, police have announced the arrest of a suspect wanted in connection with the Christmas morning attack of a 51-year-old woman at a Pelham Parkway bus stop.

Investigators say the woman was waiting for a bus at Boston Road and Pelham Parkway North, when she was attacked at 6:20 a.m. on December 25.

Officials say the assailant punched the woman in the face, before dragging her to a secluded location where the attack occurred.

Within hours of the attack police released a surveillance video of the suspect and the following day Bronx resident Jose Roys, 37, walked into the 52nd Precinct and confessed to the crime.

Roys was charged with rape, sex abuse, assault and robbery and was being held without bail on Rikers Island.  

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): NYPD MDs?

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): NYPD MDs?: NYPD MDs? Cops Save Life with New Drug #NYPD #Drugs #Heroin By Alex Cayman BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 15- A pair of hero cops and a new drug...

NYPD MDs?

NYPD MDs?

Cops Save Life with New Drug

#NYPD #Drugs #Heroin

By Alex Cayman

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 15- A pair of hero cops and a new drug issued to police officers recently-- saved a young man's life in the Soundview section on the morning of New Year's Eve.

Officers and paramedics were dispatched for an unconscious teen at 1020 Boynton Avenue, at 10:45 a.m. on December 31. Patrolman Fernando Gonzalez and his partner officer Brenda Colon of the 43rd Precinct arrived and discovered the still-unidentified 18-year-old male, who was unconscious and unresponsive.

Gonzalez quickly administered the new drug Naloxone intranasal spray or Narcan as it is often called-- and officials say the teen immediately regained consciousness and was rushed to Jacobi Hospital.

The unidentified victim is expected to make a complete recovery. Naloxone counters the effects of an acute opiate overdose and is delivered without the use of a needle. It is sprayed into the victim’s nose, thus speeding-up the drug's delivery time.

In May, 2014 members of the NYPD were issued the counter-acting drug after a resurgence of the heroin epidemic.

The more than $1 million to fund the new Community Overdose Prevention Program came from the office of State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

Deputy Inspector Russell Green of the 43rd Precinct congratulated the two officers and stated, "Officers Gonzalez and Colon did a great job remaining calm and saving a life in a stressful situation.”

William Rivera, the Chairman of Community Board # 9 offered, "We thank the officers for their quick response and their training," with the new drug.

Rivera said of the program that puts Naloxone at the fingertips of officers, "This is an example that this program is needed and will be supported for some time.” 

The NYPD could not immediately say how many lives were saved with the drug since the program began, but Elisheva Zakheim of the FDNY stated that the drug has been used by paramedics since the 1970's and added, "The drug was administered by paramedic units more than 3,000 times in 2014, and an average of 40 times monthly.”

Zakheim added that Emergency Medical Technicians also began carrying the drug in 2014.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fear Spreading Among Co-op City Residents Over Leg...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fear Spreading Among Co-op City Residents Over Leg...: Fear Spreading Among Co-op City Residents Over Legionnaires Outbreak #Legionnaires #Co-opCity By Michael Horowitz BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY...

Fear Spreading Among Co-op City Residents Over Legionnaires Outbreak

Fear Spreading Among Co-op City Residents Over Legionnaires Outbreak

#Legionnaires #Co-opCity

By Michael Horowitz

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 14- A Co-op City couple recounted how their son almost died from Legionnaires’ Disease in early-December.

The victim’s father, who wished to remain unidentified in spoke out about the travails of his son, who is in his 20s, at the town-hall meeting that was held in the auditorium of the Dreiser Loop Community Center.

After the meeting, the victims’ parents elaborated on what their son has been going through in an interview with Co-op City’s only independent community newspaper.

“My son, starting on December 4, spent nine days in the Intensive Care Unit of Jacobi Hospital,” the still-sick man’s mother noted. “I can’t say enough good things about the care he got at Jacobi Hospital, which saved his life. My son still has slurred speech, but my husband and I are confident that he will make a full recovery. We are confident because of our faith in God.”

The sick man’s father stressed, “My son’s whole body, in essence, shut down as a result of Legionnaires’ Disease. He does smoke, but he is certainly not an older person. He was in excellent health before he got sick on December 4, and he certainly is in no condition to go back to work, even at this point.”

The sick man’s mother noted, “My son played just about every conceivable sport when he was growing up, including football, baseball and basketball. He was an exceptional health before he got sick and his whole system shut down. His condition was diagnosed early on, but he is still not close to being his old self.”

Speaking to a capacity crowd of concerned shareholders at the Dreiser Loop Community Center, a spokeswoman for the city’s Health Department said, Tuesday, that two-thirds of 12 recent cases of Legionnaires’ Disease have been reported in Co-op City.

Dr. Sharon Balter, a leading epidemiologist for the Health Department, spoke out after preliminary tests showed that the power plant’s cooling tower, which supplies air-conditioning and heating to shareholders, was contaminated with the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ Disease. Results from more conclusive tests are expected within 10 days.

The cooling tower, which has been shut down pending its cleaning and disinfection by Co-op City’s management, is separate and apart from the systems that carry water, as well as hot water, to the community’s shareholders.

Continuing tests by personnel associated with the Riverbay Corporation and the Health Department are in the offing in an effort to safeguard the health of those who live and work in the local community.

Legionnaires’ Disease can be spread through mists from water sources, such as showerheads, water faucets, or convectors. However, Dr. Balter noted that the disease, which is not spread through person-to-person contact. is usually treatable with the same antibiotics that are used to treat less serious forms of pneumonia, the flu, and an assortment of bacteria that cause severe sore throats.

However, many among the crowd of 600 were extremely uneasy, especially after the father of a victim, who lives at 100 Darrow Place spoke about how his son, who is in his 20s, almost died from Legionnaires’ Disease and continues to have impaired speech more than a month after first contracting the disease.

Dr. Balter, for her part, said that there is no clear-cut way of knowing who will get the disease and who will not, but that there are a number of risk factors. The elderly, smokers, and those with compromised immune systems are more likely to get the disease, the epidemiologist noted.

Riverbay president Cleve Taylor said, this week, that the price tag associated with the cleanup necessitated by eight recent cases of Legionnaires’ Disease here will be at least $1 million.

The major part of the cost is associated with the shutdown of the power plant’s cooling tower, which is used to supply heating and air-conditioning to the community.

With the shutdown of this tower, Co-op City will be forced to get its heat through Con Edison. The additional cost for this temporary changeover is $770,000 for a two-week period.

Also, the problem with the cooling tower, which the Health Department has identified in preliminary tests, is going to necessitate increased testing at the Riverbay Corporation’s expense.

One aspect of the increased costs is the hiring of an environmental consultant, with a specialization in Legionnaires’ Disease, to assess what’s been happening in the local community.

It appears, at this point, that a lack of preventive maintenance on the part of the Riverbay Corporation’s management, which Marion Scott Real Estate, Inc., controlled for 15 years, could have contributed to the problems and added costs that Co-op City’s management now faces.

Critics of the Scott firm have charged, in recent years, that Freedman and his cohorts neglected preventive maintenance in the community in an effort to keep costs down and carrying charges low.

Keeping carrying charges at low levels, for years, had been a centerpiece of the Scott firm’s strategy to maintain control of Co-op City’s management.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Worker Killed in Freak Accident

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Worker Killed in Freak Accident: Worker Killed in Freak Accident #NYPD #FreakAccident By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 14- Investigators continue to piece together...

Worker Killed in Freak Accident

Worker Killed in Freak Accident

#NYPD #FreakAccident

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 14- Investigators continue to piece together the events that led up to a worker being sucked into a cement-mixer in Hunts Point. Officials say the man died instantly.

Officers from the 41st Precinct were called to the intersection of Fox Street and Simpson Street in the Hunts Point section at 1:21 p.m. on January 6.

Cops say the victim was "unconscious and unresponsive," with severe trauma to his body. Officials would use a sheet to cover the gruesome scene as they investigated.

After a preliminary investigation conducted by the NYPD's Crash Investigation Squad, officials say the victim, identified as Edraz Lopez, 46, of Queens, NY., was having a mechanical problem with his 1996 Freightliner cement truck.

One police source explained, "When the victim went underneath the vehicle he became pinned in the rotating cement mixer.”

Paramedics arrived and quickly pronounced Lopez dead at the scene.

Lopez, who worked for Cova Concrete Corporation in Jamaica, NY., was delivering the cement to a construction site at the location at the time of his death.

Calls to Cova went straight to voice-mail, where a voice offered,

"Happy Holidays." The company later declined to comment on the incident.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Pain in the Ass Gunman Caught on Tape

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Pain in the Ass Gunman Caught on Tape: Pain in the Ass Gunman Caught on Tape #NYPD #Gunman BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 14- Cops are looking for a real dumb ass who was caught on tap...

Pain in the Ass Gunman Caught on Tape

Pain in the Ass Gunman Caught on Tape

#NYPD #Gunman

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 14- Cops are looking for a real dumb ass who was caught on tape shooting a man in front of his home.

Surveillance video shows the man pulling out a revolver and opening fire at around 11:55 p.m. on December 19. Cops say the gunman targeted his victim as the man stood outside his Sedgwick Avenue home. One bullet struck the victim in his buttocks.

The gunman is described as Hispanic with a light complexion. 

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls are confidential.

Grand Jury Indicts 'Cop Shooter'

Grand Jury Indicts 'Cop Shooter'

#CopShooter #NYPD

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 13- District Attorney Robert Johnson announced that a Grand Jury has indicted alleged cop shooter Jason Polanco

and Joshua Kemp, who was involved in the robbery of a bodega, in the January 5^th, 2015 incident during which Polanco allegedly brandished a firearm, shooting Police Officers 

Andrew Dossi and Aliro Pellarano, as well as firing at three other uniformed members of the NYPD.  

The Grand Jury voted a true bill, charging 24-year-old Jason “Jin”  Polanco with:

Attempted murder in the first degree (A Felony, 5 counts)

Attempted murder in the second degree (A Felony, 2 counts)

Robbery in the first degree (B Felony)

Criminal use of a firearm in the first degree (B Felony)

Assault in the first degree (B Felony)

Robbery in the second degree (C Felony, 2 counts)

Attempted assault in the first degree (C Felony, 2 counts)

Criminal use of a firearm in the second degree (C Felony)

Criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree (C Felony, 2 counts)

Robbery in the third degree (D Felony)

Grand larceny in the fourth degree (E Felony)

Criminal possession of a firearm (E Felony)

Criminal possession of Stolen property in the fourth degree (E Felony)

Additional charges are still pending against Jason Polanco

The Grand Jury charged 28-year-old Joshua Kemp with:

Robbery in the first degree (B Felony, 2 counts)

Robbery in the second degree (C Felony, 2 counts)

Robbery in the third degree (D Felony)

Burglary in the second degree (C Felony)

Burglary in the third degree (D Felony)

Petit larceny (A Misdemeanor)

Criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree (A Misdemeanor)

Criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree (A Misdemeanor).

It is alleged that Kemp robbed a bodega at 363 East 180^th Street in the Fordham section of the Bronx just before 10:30 p.m. on January 5^th,  jumping over the counter to grab cash. Polanco is not yet charged with that crime.

Fleeing four blocks away onto Tiebout Avenue and changing their clothing inside a building along the way, Polanco entered a Chinese restaurant. Kemp remained outside, where police responding to the robbery call approached him. Polanc is accused of turning and firing, all the while approaching the officers outside the eatery.  His bullets hit and wounded Officers Dossi and Pellarano, but missed three other uniformed officers.  

One of Polanco's bullets also hit his accomplice.  Kemp and Polanco fled onto Marion Avenue but then split up, the shooter continuing down the street where he spotted two individuals seated inside a 2015 Camaro.  

Polanco is charged with ordering the pair to exit the car. He then pulled the trigger on his firearm – the gun clicked, but failed to fire. Taking off in the Camaro, Polanco crashed a few blocks away.

Polanco is scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment on Tuesday, March 3rd, in Part 60 before Justice Steven Barrett; Kemp will be arraigned on Tuesday, March 10 ^th, also in Part 60.

The charges contained in the indictment are allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Huge Gas Leak Causes Havoc in Riverdale

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Huge Gas Leak Causes Havoc in Riverdale: Huge Gas Leak Causes Havoc in Riverdale #GasLeak By Robert Press BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 12- The scene was chaos at the corner of the ...

Huge Gas Leak Causes Havoc in Riverdale

Huge Gas Leak Causes Havoc in Riverdale

#GasLeak

By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 12- The scene was chaos at the corner of the Henry Hudson Parkway North service road and West 239th Street during construction a huge gas leak was discovered at 2 p.m. today. 

Con Edison workers were all around the site of a gas leak that occurred as the Con Edison contractor was connecting two different gas lines during the 'Oil to Gas' conversion by Con Edison contractors. The fire department stood ready with a hose that was attached to a nearby hydrant just in case. 

All roads to and around the West 238th Street overpass of the Henry Hudson Parkway were closed as a precaution. That meant that Riverdale Avenue north was closed to traffic at West 238th Street, as was the northbound HHP service road. Also closed was the West 239th Street overpass to southbound parkway service road traffic. All northbound MTA buses were detoured onto Independence Avenue at West 232nd Street. 

This lasted into the rush hour as it took hours to fix the leak by using smaller bypass piping. One unidentified worker for the contractor who wished to remain anonymous  told me that it was a Con Edison employee and not a contracted worker who was responsible for the major gas leak. 

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Spirit of Giving Continues

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Spirit of Giving Continues: Spirit of Giving Continues Pols Hand out Gifts at 3 Kings Celebration #3KingsDay BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 12- State Senator Jeff Klein, to...

Spirit of Giving Continues

Spirit of Giving Continues

Pols Hand out Gifts at 3 Kings Celebration

#3KingsDay

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 12- State Senator Jeff Klein, together with Assemblyman Luis Sepúlveda and District Leader Julia Rodriguez hosted the 2nd annual Three Kings Day celebration on January 11th. 

More than 200 community members, families and children came together to celebrate the

Feast of the Epiphany -- featuring a special appearance by a talented magician, music by the Church of the Holy Family choir and school choir, an animated narration of the nativity scene and a fun-filled toy giveaway for children.

“At our second annual Three Kings Day celebration, I couldn’t be happier or more proud to see all of you out here celebrating together. This is a special holiday for so many of our friends, neighbors and community members,” said Senator Jeff Klein. “In a short period of time, this event has grown to be a tremendous success and I would like to thank my colleagues Assemblyman Sepúlveda and District Leader Julia Rodriguez for helping to make that happen. I wish all of you a happy holiday and health, joy and prosperity in the New Year.”

"What makes the holiday season so beautiful is the feeling of community that is indelibly woven into our daily lives," said Assemblyman Sepúlveda. "This Three Kings Day event is a time when our community comes together again at the close of the Christmas season in the hopes that we may maintain those feeling of charity and kindness for the months ahead. Our celebration aims to continue this trend into the new year as a reminder that such good will should be a part of our daily lives."

The celebration began in the early afternoon, where members of the community followed in a spirited procession from Roselyn Johnson Democratic Headquarters to Mechler Hall

at the Church of the Holy Family. The program kicked off with a performance by the school choir, followed by a selection of songs in spanish and a narration of the nativity scene by the church choir. Guests enjoyed light snacks and refreshments including hot dogs, juice, coffee and more. Children in attendance were given a special toy at the end of the event, including stuffed animals, toy cars, and board games like Monopoly or Clue.

“I want to thank Senator Klein and Assemblyman Sepulveda for putting together this wonderful event and bringing the community together. Three Kings Day is one of my favorite holidays and this is such a wonderful way to celebrate. Because of their efforts, I’m already looking forward to next year,” added District Leader Julia Rodriguez.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Let it Snow

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Let it Snow: Let it Snow #Bronx Zoo BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 9 - Snow Leopards enjoy a wrestle in the snow at the Bronx Zoo.WCS’s (Wildlife Conservation...

Let it Snow

Let it Snow

#Bronx Zoo

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 9- Snow Leopards enjoy a wrestle in the snow at the Bronx Zoo.WCS’s (Wildlife Conservation Society) Bronx Zoo received .7 inches of snow today, and earlier this week on Tuesday it received 1 inch. These five photos highlight a few animals enjoying the season’s first snowfall.

Photos by Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Hall of Famers Johnson, Martinez relay Yankee Memo...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Hall of Famers Johnson, Martinez relay Yankee Memo...: Hall of Famers Johnson, Martinez relay Yankee Memories #RandyJohnson  #PedroMartínez  #John Smoltz  By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YOR...

Hall of Famers Johnson, Martinez relay Yankee Memories

Hall of Famers Johnson, Martinez relay Yankee Memories

#RandyJohnson  #PedroMartínez  #John Smoltz 

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 8- The four baseball legends, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martínez, John Smoltz and Craig Biggio, who are the newest elected members of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, were at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City on Wednesday morning for the Hall’s annual press conference for its newest members. 

Four is the largest number newly elected members since 1955 when Joe DiMaggio, Gabby Hartnett, Ted Lyons and Dazzy Vance were chosen. The three pitchers chosen in their first year on the ballot is a new record. It is obvious after evaluating each of the players’ careers in its entirety, that each member of the Class of 2015 deserved the honor he has been given. 

The press conference on January 7 was very upbeat as each of the elected was in high spirits and drew many laughs from those assembled in the Jade Room. Two of the four men played for New York clubs.

Randy Johnson’s accomplishments earned him a vote of 97.3 percent, the eighth highest total in HOF voting history. The lefty had a career mark of 303-166 and an ERA of 3.29 with 4,875 strikeouts, second only to Nolan Ryan. During his lengthy big league career, 1988-2009, there were numerous impressive achievements in individual games and single seasons as well. 

The 6 foot 10 hurler was a 10-time All-Star, 9-time strikeout leader and 4-time ERA leader. He was a 5-time Cy Young winner, 4 years in succession (1999-2002). He is the oldest pitcher to throw a perfect game. 

In January 2005, the Diamondbacks traded him to the Yankees. He played two seasons in the Bronx before being traded back to the Diamondbacks in January 2007. Johnson spoke with delight of playing in Yankee Stadium, “As a visiting player for 9 ½ years, there was no greater place to come to than old Yankee Stadium. I wanted to come to New York and be thrown in the fire. I loved every minute. I loved New York.” He spoke of Old Timers’ Days, when he was able to speak to Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra and Reggie Jackson and added, “Who wouldn’t love that.”

Johnson also talked of the controversy of those two years, “I maybe didn’t pitch as well as people wanted…Playing for the Yankees was at the end of my career [He began with NY at the age of 41.] I gave it everything I had [He pitched with a herniated disc in his back in 2006].” Johnson had a mark of 17-8 and 17-11 in his two seasons in the Bronx.

The irrepressible Martínez, who pitched at Yankee Stadium with its biggest rivals, the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets, quickly and humorously responded to Johnson, “You’re lucky Randy. Having to face the Yankees as a visiting player with the Red Sox, the Yankees fans wanted to intimidate you, but they recognized greatness.” 

The four-year veteran of the Mets, 2005-2008, contrasted the fans of the two New York clubs, “In Queens, they are wild and happy. They settle for what they have, but Yankee fans cannot-[it’s] win or nothing.”

Martínez then spoke more seriously of his feelings of playing in New York, “I really enjoyed the time in New York. I learned a lot. I have no complaints about being in New York. I loved it here.”

The quartet will be inducted in Cooperstown, New York on July 26.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Home Sweet Home for Jaspers

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Home Sweet Home for Jaspers: Home Sweet Home for Jaspers #ManhattanCollege By Gary Quintal  BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 8- After playing 11 of their first 13 games away f...

Home Sweet Home for Jaspers

Home Sweet Home for Jaspers

#ManhattanCollege

By Gary Quintal 

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 8- After playing 11 of their first 13 games away from home, the Manhattan College Jaspers hosted the Saint Peters Peacocks Wednesday evening winning 68-63. 

Prior to the game, Junior Shane Richards was honored for holding the Manhattan record for three pointers converted (167).  Richards achieved the record during  the December 20th 73-69 victory over Morgan State.  

During the game, Senior Emmy Andjuar led Manhattan with 21 points becoming the 36th player to score 1000 career points as a Jasper. Manhattan plays 4 of its next 6 games at home including A Saturday evening match-up against Niagara. 

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): 2015 Comes in with a Bang

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): 2015 Comes in with a Bang: 2015 Comes in with a Bang #NYPD #Shootings (Photo by David Greene) By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 8- As the murder rate in New...

2015 Comes in with a Bang

2015 Comes in with a Bang

#NYPD #Shootings

(Photo by David Greene)

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 8- As the murder rate in New York City fell to its lowest level in 50 years-- 2014 ended with a man shot in Morris Park in the closing minutes of the year and the new count began with the killing of a 26-year-old man in Melrose.

The NYPD reported 328 murders for the year, seven fewer than the year before and the lowest since 1963, the year when records of such grim statistics became necessary. A far cry from the bad old days like 1990, when the city logged 2,245 murders.

The figures offer little consolation to the family of Herb Huntley, 26, who was shot and killed in the lobby of 671 Westchester Avenue at just before 3 a.m. on January 1.

Police closed off the lobby as they conducted their investigation, as revelers returned home from their celebrations and had to enter the St. Mary's Park Houses complex through the stairs to get to the elevator on the first floor.

One woman used the slogan of a roach motel describing the building, claiming, "Strangers walk in this building, but they don't walk out.”

The woman said she heard four shots before police arrived.

Another woman claimed it was the third murder around the complex in as many years. The resident of the complex also claimed that cops no longer patrol the complex and surveillance cameras no longer work— giving free reign to drug dealers who often use the lobby and staircase as their office.

Police say Huntley was shot in the head and chest and died at Lincoln Hospital. Police have no suspects or motive at this time. The year ended with gunfire in Morris Park as a man was reported shot at 11:45 p.m. at the corner of Rhinelander and Hone Avenue. Few details on the incident were available.

One resident asked, "So why wasn't it in the news? Because you didn’t hear about it doesn't mean it didn't happen. Is that suppose to make us feel safer?"

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Hate Speech?

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Hate Speech?: Hate Speech? Accused Gunman Made Feelings Known about Cops #NYPD #CopShooting By Dan Gesslein BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 7- Before the bu...

Hate Speech?

Hate Speech?

Accused Gunman Made Feelings Known about Cops

#NYPD #CopShooting

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 7- Before the bullet left his gun aimed for two police officers, Jason Polanco’s hatred of cops was on display. The Fordham man was arrested for wounding two cops after robbing a bodega.

Polanco’s Facebook page has photos such as two kids painting “F—- the Police” on a fence. Another had stick figures of an officer beating another figure on the ground stating: “Stop police brutality.”

News of Polanco’s views came to light after the arrest of the Fordham man for allegedly shooting two police officers. Monday night’s shooting, coupled with the such posts on social media, has police believing there is a war on cops. 

The shooting, coupled with the anti-cop rhetoric, is eerily similar to the assassination of Officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu. Ismaaiyl Brinsley shot the officers to death as they sat in their squad car in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Later it was revealed that Brinsley had posted messages of hatred toward the police on his social media accounts.

At this time it appears that Polanco allegedly opened fire to escape arrest and not simply target police officers.

Polanco was charged with attempted murder of a police officer, attempted murder, robbery, criminal possession of a weapon and assault. 

His partner, Joshua Kemp of Metropolitan Oval in Parkchester, was charged with robbery, grand larceny, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of stolen property.

Cops say Polanco wounded Kemp when he opened fire on Officers Andrew Dossi and Aliro Pellerano. Investigators were on to Kemp when he went to a Manhattan hospital for treatment after being shot. 

Kemp was on parole for robbery and has a record of 10 arrests was busted for his part in the robbery which led to the double cop shooting.

Investigators said the shooting sprang from a robbery earlier. Members of the Anti-Crime unit responded to the armed robbery of PN Deli in Fordham. Surveillance video of the robbery show one gunman holding the employees on the ground, while his accomplice emptied the cash register.

When police approached Polanco at a Chinese takeout restaurant a short time later, the man is seen on surveillance video opening fire.