Van Cortlandt Park Alliance - The Countdown Is On: 26.2 in ’26

 

The clock is ticking but you still have plenty of time to walk, run, hike, and wander.

The deadline to sign up for the 26.2 in ’26 Challenge is October 15th, and we’d love to have you join us!

Once you’re in, there’s no race clock and no rush to finish. You have the rest of 2026 to log 26.2 miles in Van Cortlandt Park, at your own pace and in whatever way works for you.

Go solo, bring the family, grab a friend, or join us on November 1st for a group walk. We’ll provide trail ideas, a miles tracker, VCPA swag, exclusive guided hikes, and a finisher’s pin when you reach your goal.

Just don’t wait too long to sign up!

Join the 26.2 in ’26 Challenge

Every registration helps support Van Cortlandt Park Alliance’s free programs, environmental education, volunteer stewardship, and care for the park.

Sign up by October 15th and make 26.2 miles part of your 2026.

Our Contact Information
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance
80 Van Cortlandt Park South, Ste. E1
Bronx, NY 10463
718-601-1460
http://vancortlandt.org

The British are coming…to The Bronx! Sunday, October 18th.

 

Mayor Mamdani Directs First Comprehensive Review of NYPD Use of Force in a Decade, Announces New Accountability Reforms

 

Administration will review use-of-force policies and practices, strengthen transparency and restore independent oversight 

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today directed the New York City Police Department (NYPD) to conduct a comprehensive review of its use-of-force policies and practices, the first such review in a decade. The review will take place over the coming months and include a robust community engagement process.

Mayor Mamdani also announced a package of reforms to strengthen accountability when police officers are accused of serious misconduct, including measures to facilitate the completion of the disciplinary process before an officer retires.

The reforms follow the retirement of one of the officers facing disciplinary charges for the tragic death of Win Rozario, a 19-year-old New Yorker who was shot and killed by NYPD officers during a mental health crisis in March 2024. That officer retired before a disciplinary trial could take place.

“When the government uses force against a New Yorker, the standard for accountability must be at its highest. Every New Yorker deserves to know that force will be used lawfully, carefully and only when necessary,” said Mayor Mamdani. “We have an obligation to Win’s family and to every New Yorker who calls for help in a moment of crisis. This review is about making sure our policies reflect that responsibility, that our officers have the guidance and training they need and that New Yorkers and their families can trust their city will treat them with care and dignity.”

In addition to the use-of-force review, the Mamdani administration is taking the following steps:   

• Strengthen independent oversight: The Mamdani administration will increase funding for the Office of the Inspector General for the NYPD (OIG-NYPD) by $2.6 million. The additional funding will restore staffing to a historic peak, tripling the office’s current headcount and empower the OIG to investigate policies and practices that undermine accountability for police misconduct. 
• Strengthen retirement notifications: The NYPD has implemented a new notification system to facilitate the completion of the disciplinary process before an officer retires. 
• Close the door to rehiring elsewhere in New York state: The NYPD will formalize its pre-existing practice of notifying the State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) and submitting personnel information for decertification when an officer retires with pending disciplinary charges. This will help prevent officers who leave the NYPD while facing serious disciplinary charges from avoiding scrutiny by being hired by another law enforcement agency in New York state. 
• Ensure compliance with the STAT Act: The NYPD will remain in full and timely compliance with its legal obligation to report police-involved death data to the State DCJS.  
• Formalize information sharing after critical incidents: The NYPD will standardize and formalize its process for sharing information with New Yorkers following a critical incident, as well as with the families of individuals killed or seriously injured in critical incidents. This will include releasing NYPD Force Investigation Division final reports to families or their representatives who would like them.  

Together, these reforms are intended to ensure that serious allegations are investigated, disciplinary cases are resolved, the public can understand how the City responds when use of force results in serious death or injury and independent oversight has the necessary resources to do its important work.

Accountability is a central value of the Mamdani administration, and it must apply to the system as a whole. The administration will continue reviewing policies and practices.  

Morris Park Columbus Day Parade

 

It was a rainy cool day for the Morris Park Columbus Day Parade where schools, community groups, floats, and marchers did parade across Morris Park Avenue and up Williamsbridge Road in the Bronx. Local elected officials and Deputy Inspector Stapleton of the 49th Precinct were on the reviewing stand, as the parade passed in front of them and others. Delicious canoli's were provided by Gino's of the Bronx's Little Italy. the NYPD mounted unit led the parade.

Department of Justice Announces Updates to Emergency Scheduling Actions for 7-OH and Related Opioid Substances

 

New actions incorporate updated HHS' science and establish clearer thresholds targeting dangerous, concentrated products

The Department of Justice announced updated emergency scheduling actions targeting 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and three potent opioid substances related to 7-OH: mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MGPI), MGM-15, and MGM-16.

“Dangerous and addictive opioids do not belong behind convenience store counters,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Our nation’s children and communities deserve protection from harmful substances like 7-OH and other powerful synthetic drugs. The actions taken by the Department of Justice today reflect our commitment to keeping Americans safe and holding drug traffickers accountable.”

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is issuing two new Notices of Intent based on new scientific information and recommendations provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The updated HHS analysis supports a revised threshold approach for 7-OH and MGPI designed to distinguish products containing trace amounts of these substances from formulations that have been intentionally enhanced or concentrated.

The two Notices of Intent address:

• MGM-15 and MGM-16: DEA will reissue the Notice of Intent without changing the current scheduling approach for these substances.
• 7-OH and MGPI: DEA will issue a new Notice of Intent incorporating HHS' updated scientific recommendation for concentration and ratio thresholds applicable to both substances.

HHS recommended that 7-OH and MGPI be subject to Schedule I control when either substance alone, or their combined amount when both are present, exceeds 1 milligram per gram in solid products or 1 milligram per milliliter in liquid products, or when the ratio of mitragynine to 7-OH, MGPI, or their combined amount is less than 100 to 1. HHS recommended this approach to better distinguish products intentionally enhanced or concentrated in these opioid substances from products whose alkaloid composition is more consistent with botanical kratom.

The updated HHS analysis confirms that 7-OH occurs naturally in botanical kratom at relatively low levels and identifies additional scientific information suggesting MGPI may also occur at trace levels in some botanical or kratom-derived products. HHS noted that the science concerning the presence of MGPI continues to develop but recommended applying a threshold approach to both 7-OH and MGPI.

DEA temporarily placed MGPI, MGM-15, and MGM-16 into Schedule I on August 26, 2026. Those controls will remain in effect during the new 30-day Notice of Intent period and until DEA issues a new temporary scheduling order.

For 7-OH, DEA had not yet issued a temporary scheduling order. DEA will reissue a new Notice of Intent reflecting HHS’ updated scientific recommendation.

Permits Filed for 222 Soundview Avenue in Clason Point, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a four-story mixed-use building at 222 Soundview Avenue in Clason Point, The Bronx. Located between Gildersleeve Avenue and O’Brien Avenue, the lot is closest to the Parkchester subway station, served by the 6 train. Shimshon Grunstein of AFS Systems Inc. is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 35-foot-tall development will yield 35,350 square feet, with 21,629 square feet designated for residential space and 13,721 square feet for commercial space. The building will have 45 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 480 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar and four enclosed parking spaces.

Nikolai Katz Architect is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the lot is vacant. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Attorney General James’ Office of Special Investigation Releases Report on Death of Brian Czornyj

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) released its report on the death of Brian Czornyj, who died on June 5, 2025 following an encounter with members of the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department (TPPD) in Dutchess County. After a thorough investigation, which included interviews with involved officers and civilian witnesses, review of body-worn camera footage, 911 calls, and TPPD records, and comprehensive legal analysis, OSI determined that a prosecutor would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that the officer’s actions were justified under New York law.

On the afternoon of June 5, TPPD officers went to a house in Poughkeepsie in response to a 911 call reporting that Mr. Czornyj was armed with a sword and had struck his father and a member of a mobile crisis team from Mental Health America (MHA) of Dutchess County. The MHA team had responded to a call for assistance earlier in the day. When officers entered the house, they saw Mr. Czornyj holding a sword by its grip while his father was holding the same sword by the blade. At least one of the officers repeatedly ordered Mr. Czornyj to drop the sword and said he would shoot, but Mr. Czornyj did not comply. The officer discharged his service weapon, striking Mr. Czornyj. Mr. Czornyj was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Officers recovered a Samurai sword at the scene.

Under New York’s justification law, a person may use deadly physical force when the person reasonably believes it to be necessary to defend against the use of deadly physical force by another. In this case, officers responded to a 911 call reporting that Mr. Czornyj was armed with a sword and had injured his father and a member of the MHA team. When officers encountered Mr. Czornyj, he had the sword in his hand and ignored repeated commands to drop the weapon. Under these circumstances, given the law and the evidence, a prosecutor would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that the officer’s use of deadly physical force against Mr. Czornyj was justified, and therefore OSI determined that criminal charges would not be pursued in this matter.

Antelope Valley Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing Fentanyl, The Use of Which Resulted in Two Deaths

 

A Palmdale man was sentenced to 192 months in federal prison for knowingly possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl, the use of which resulted in the fatal overdose of two victims, the Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Field Division announced.

Christopher Morales, 24, was sentenced by United States District Judge Mónica Ramírez Almadani, who also ordered three years of supervised release.

Morales pleaded guilty in June 2025 to two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. He has been in federal custody since September 2024.

Morales admitted that, on at least four occasions, from March 2024, to September 2024, he knowingly and intentionally distributed fentanyl or possessed it with intent to distribute, causing the deaths of two individuals.

According to court documents, on March 8, 2024, Morales distributed fentanyl to a victim, who later died as a result. The victim had requested to buy “blues,” a slang term for Oxycodone pills. Morales sold the pills without warning the victim that the pills contained fentanyl. Three days later, on March 11, 2024, the victim ingested the pills received from Morales and died from an overdose. The victim was 24 years old.

On August 26, 2024, Morales distributed fentanyl to a second victim.  According to court documents, that victim believed he was purchasing Oxycodone pills. Morales did not warn the second victim that the pills contained fentanyl. The next day, the victim ingested the pills and died from fentanyl poisoning. The second victim was 23 years old.

On two separate occasions, April 3, 2024, and September 9, 2024, law enforcement found Morales to be in possession of fentanyl. In total, Morales distributed or possessed with intent to distribute a total of approximately 32.6 grams of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl on the four occasions.

Morales admitted in his plea agreement that he acted with willful blindness or conscious avoidance of knowledge that the pills he sold to his victims were not legitimately manufactured drugs.

David Olesky, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Field Division, said, “Two families affected in this case will forever carry the weight of their loss. Although this sentencing does not undo these tragedies, we hope it offers some sense of peace and closure for loved ones. In addition, this sentencing demonstrates our resolve in holding accountable those who poison our communities and harm our American families. DEA is grateful for the outstanding partnership with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office in order to bring this investigation to this conclusion.”

“The devastating impact of the fentanyl epidemic continues to touch every corner of our county, leaving families and communities with unimaginable loss,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. “The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department remains deeply committed to working alongside our federal partners, including the DEA and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, to hold accountable those who distribute these lethal drugs. While no legal outcome can replace the lives lost, our thoughts remain with the families grieving loved ones taken by individuals who seek to profit on dangerous, counterfeit pills.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Field Division and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigated this matter.