The Bronx Tourism Council - Bronx Week 2024

 

Event Announcement

We're looking forward to a beautiful day as we  get ready for Bronx Week, May 6th – 19th. If you are interested in partnership opportunities or  have an event that you would like to feature on our  website during the month of May, we want to hear  from you!

For sponsorship opportunities email: jdrake@bxedc.org 

For events email: btc@bxedc.org 

Check out last year's festivities! 

People's Choice

This year the People’s Choice Award will be in Healthcare. Select your favorite Bronx healthcare worker through the People’s Choice Award! 

To nominate a healthcare worker from the Bronx, please visit ilovethebronx.com for more details. 

Bronx Ball

It's time for the most anticipated event of the year-The Bronx Ball! We will be inducting our honorees into the Bronx Walk of Fame, including our New People's Choice Award in Healthcare recipient. This is a star-studded red-carpet event so come join us for this 

black-tie gala as we celebrate the best of The Bronx.

For table and ticket purchase visit ilovethebronx.com  

Check out a recap of last year's Bronx Ball! 

For more event listings subscribe to our calendar: ilovethebronx.com

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE CALLS FOR EFFORTS TO COMBAT WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS IN PUBLIC SAFETY HEARING

 

After passing his police transparency legislation and overriding a mayoral veto last month, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams discussed the need for robust efforts to address the role of the NYPD in wrongful convictions during a hearing held today by the City Council’s Committee on Public Safety. The committee is chaired by Council Member Yusef Salaam, a member of the group once called the‘Central Park Five,’ who was exonerated long after his own wrongful conviction. Among his recommendations, he discussed the importance of NYPD effectively implementing the How Many Stops Act, which requires greater transparency of police-civilian encounters.

The Public Advocate argued that with DNA evidence, the rate of vacated wrongful convictions will increase, noting that “In June of last year, District Attorney Alvin Bragg vacated 316 convictions involving discredited NYPD officers. These convictions occurred between 1996 and 2017, and of those 316, 57 of the convictions resulted in incarceration. This, of course, did not cover everyone wrongfully convicted in our city as a result of abusive, corrupt, or discriminatory policing—one of those people is in this room, serving as chair of this committee.”

He highlighted not only the human but financial cost of wrongful convictions, and argued that money would be much better spent on public defenders and legal services. 

“Wrongful convictions harm our city financially as well—for example, Louis N. Scarcella, a former NYPD detective who has been accused of framing dozens of people for murder, has cost taxpayers $110 million in settlements alone,"  said the Public Advocate. "Derrick Hamilton, who spent more than 20 years in prison as a result of Scarcella’s misconduct and persuaded prosecutors to throw out his own conviction, was awarded $7 million by the city and has since become an activist working to free other innocent people. This is money that could go to schools, housing, and social services” while “Legal services providers called on the administration for $195 million in increased funding for FY24.”

Public Advocate Williams pushed to establish enhanced oversight power through the CCRB, arguing the board needs the power to “impose discipline on officers who engage in abuse, corruption, discrimination, or misconduct. Regardless of whether police truly believe a suspect is guilty, these safeguards and standards must be followed in any investigation.” He lastly argued that the governor must sign the Wrongful Convictions Act, because “Wrongfully convicted people who plead guilty often have no recourse for justice, and this law would create a path for them.”

The Public Advocate’s full statement to the committee is below. Read more about the How Many Stops Act here. 

STATEMENT OF PUBLIC ADVOCATE JUMAANE D. WILLIAMS

TO THE NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

Good morning,

Mr. Chair, I just wanted to point out this is pretty momentous, I know you alluded to it in your statement, but to have you, Yusef Salaam, formerly of the Central Park Five, now Exonerated Five, to be chairing a hearing of Council’s Committee on Public Safety on wrongful convictions, is simply amazing. I just want to make sure we get that on the record. From a person of faith to another person of faith, Allahu Akbar, simply, God is great. I want to make sure I put that on the record. 

As mentioned, I am the Public Advocate of the City of New York. My name is Jumaane D. Williams, thank you Chair Salaam and the Committee on Public Safety for holding this important hearing, and the NYPD for being here. 

In June of last year, District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who by the way is District Attorney of a county that is much safer than Maricopa County in Phoenix, AZ, vacated 316 convictions involving discredited NYPD officers. These convictions occurred between 1996 and 2017, and of those 316, 57 of the convictions resulted in incarceration. This, of course, did not cover everyone wrongfully convicted in our city as a result of abusive, corrupt, or discriminatory policing—one of those people is in this room, serving as chair of this committee. I would also like to acknowledge Steven Lopez, the sixth person wrongfully arrested and incarcerated for the 1989 attack on a jogger in Central Park, who was exonerated in 2022.

There are many ways that police investigative procedures can result in wrongful convictions, including coercive interrogation techniques that result in false confessions, lying on the stand in court, failing to turn over exculpatory evidence, working with unreliable informants, and displaying outright prejudice. New York City, and the United States, unfortunately, has a long history of police misconduct leading to wrongful convictions, the full scope of which we are only just beginning to see with the advent of DNA analysis leading to an increase in exonerations.  

Wrongful convictions harm entire communities. Incarceration tears people from their loved ones, traumatizing not only them but their friends and families, who may have depended on that person emotionally and financially. And not to mention, leaving the person who is actually guilty is still out.  When a person is released from prison or jail, or even if they were not sentenced to any period of incarceration, their criminal record follows them and affects their ability to pursue employment or education, and can affect even where they can live. Wrongful convictions harm our city financially as well—for example, Louis N. Scarcella, a former NYPD detective who has been accused of framing dozens of people for murder, has cost taxpayers $110 million in settlements alone. Derrick Hamilton, who spent more than 20 years in prison as a result of Scarcella’s misconduct and persuaded prosecutors to throw out his own conviction, was awarded $7 million by the city and has since become an activist working to free other innocent people. This is money that could go to schools, housing, and social services.

This all underscores the need for police transparency and accountability. At the end of last year, this Council passed Intro 586, part of the How Many Stops Act, which requires reporting on low Level 1 and 2 investigative encounters.  My hope is that Mayor Adams and the NYPD will implement this new law,I’m looking forward to conversations about how to implement it. Further, all interrogations should be recorded in accordance with state law. And I believe we have to ask that CCRB be given some additional power to impose discipline on officers who engage in abuse, corruption, discrimination, or misconduct. Regardless of whether police truly believe a suspect is guilty, these safeguards and standards must be followed in any investigation. What we have found is just allowing, often, the commissioner to be the sole person responsible for discipline makes it more difficult to there to be accountability, when it comes to discipline. 

We also must robustly invest in public defense. Legal services providers called on the administration for $195 million in increased funding for FY24. The city must fulfill their contracts on time, or our entire legal system will suffer. I lastly ask Governor Hochul to sign the Wrongful Convictions Act into law. This legislation would provide individuals convicted of crimes with the opportunity for meaningful review to ensure redress for wrongful convictions, including in cases where the individual has pleaded guilty. Wrongfully convicted people who plead guilty often have no recourse for justice, and this law would create a path for them.

Wrongful convictions are a scourge on our legal system, particularly for a community who already feels the burden for overuse of incarceral resources. . I remind you of the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” I’m looking forward to the discussion, and thank you

Thank you.

Attorney General James Releases Footage from Investigation into the Death of a Civilian in Ontario County

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James today released police body-worn camera footage that her office obtained as part of its ongoing investigation into the death of a civilian who died on November 15, 2023 following an encounter with a member of the New York State Police (NYSP). 

On the evening of November 15, a NYSP trooper responded to a residence on State Route 64 in East Bloomfield. When the trooper arrived, he encountered the individual at the residence and, once the individual came outside, the trooper engaged with him verbally. The individual then allegedly charged at the trooper with a knife and the trooper fired his weapon at the individual. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers recovered a knife at the scene. 

The Office of Special Investigation (OSI) of the Attorney General’s Office released video from a body-worn camera that the NYSP trooper was equipped with during the incident. The release of these videos follows Attorney General James’ directive that camera footage obtained by her office in the course of an OSI investigation be released to the public in order to increase transparency and strengthen public trust in these matters. 

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person, by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident. 

The release of this footage is not an expression of any opinion as to the guilt or innocence of any party in a criminal matter or any opinion as to how or whether any individual may be charged with a crime. 

Warning: This video contains content that viewers may find disturbing. 

Cox: Say her name, Kathy

 

NY GOP Chair Ed Cox released the following statement in response to Kathy Hochul’s silence on Laken Riley, the Georgia nursing student murdered by a criminal illegal alien who was arrested and released in New York last year:

 

“Joe Biden and Democrats’ open-borders policies are an existential threat to our country. A promising young woman was brutally killed by a criminal illegal migrant who should never have been here and was arrested and released in our own state prior to committing this murder.

 

“Kathy Hochul has found time to pose for photos outside the White House and tweet about the death of an owl, but has nothing to say about the direct result of her party’s policies. Say her name, Kathy.”

Precursor Chemical Broker Sentenced for Methamphetamine Importation and Money Laundering Conspiracies

 

A precursor chemical broker was sentenced to 18 years and eight months in prison for methamphetamine importation and money laundering conspiracies.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Javier Algredo Vazquez, 56, of Queens, New York, procured chemicals, including methylamine, for the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG) to make controlled substances for importation into the United States. The CJNG, which is based in the State of Jalisco in Mexico, is one of the largest, most dangerous, and most prolific drug cartels in Mexico and is responsible for transporting tonnage quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and other drugs into the United States. Algredo Vazquez imported over 5 million kilograms of chemicals into Mexico, including enough precursors to produce over 700 million doses of methamphetamine and over 2 billion doses of fentanyl. Algredo Vazquez also transferred millions of dollars from the United States to chemical suppliers in China and India to procure the chemicals.

24,500 kilograms of methylamine hydrochloride purchased by Algredo Vazquez and his co-conspirators that was seized at the Port of Oakland, California, on June 8, 2021.

Algredo Vazquez was convicted at trial in July 2023 of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine for unlawful importation into the United States, conspiracy to distribute a List I chemical to manufacture methamphetamine for unlawful importation into the United States, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. 

Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Administrator Anne Milgram of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Executive Associate Director Katrina W. Berger of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made the announcement.

The DEA Los Angeles Field Division and HSI Houston investigated the case, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service’s Investigative Operations Division. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Joint Interagency Task Force West also provided support for the investigatory efforts.

Trial Attorney Kate Naseef, Acting Assistant Deputy Chief Nhan Nguyen, and Acting Deputy Chief Kaitlin Sahni of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section prosecuted the case.

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs contributed significantly to the investigation. The Justice Department thanks the Mexican Attorney General’s Office for their assistance in securing the conviction.

Governor Hochul Marches in the Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade

Sunday, Governor Kathy Hochul marched in the Chinatown Lunar New Year parade in New York City.

30th Annual Bronx Parks Speak Up

 

It was a beautiful day for a bike ride to the Bronx Parks Speak up, which a group of people did from the Bronx Courthouse to Lehman College where the Bronx Parks Speak up was being held. The Exhibit Room was filled with various park affiliated organizations including the Parks Department, City Planning, Urban Park Rangers and other city or state agencies, various friends of many community organizations affiliated with parks, and sponsors such as Con Edison. 

A delicious lunch was provided for the attendees, then there was a presentation of Cleaning NYC's Air Through Electric Vehicle Adoption by Kevon Brown Senior Specialist of Con Edison. Con Edison will be converting their fleet of Vehicles to all electric, and is encouraging the conversion to all electric vehicles and appliances in homes.

Speakers included a welcome by Ed Garcia Conte, a review of thirty years of Bronx Waterways and Greenways by Dart Westphal, recent Bronx Parks improvements by New York City Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue, Championing Bronx Parks through Advocacy by Sherrise Palomino of New Yorkers for Parks, and a panel discussion on Using Nature to Combat Climate Control moderated by Daniel Ranells of BCEQ and the Bronx River Alliance, with Melissa Enoch Acting Assistant Commissioner of the DEP, Kevin Kubasa Deputy Director NYC Parks, Shino Tanikawa Executive Director NYC Soil and Water Conservation District, and Christian Murphy Ecology Director of the Bronx River Alliance. 

After all the speakers there were various workshops followed by Thirty Years of Speaking Up by Robert Fanuzzi President, Bronx Council for Enviornmental Quality, and a wrap up of the day's activities. The organizers thanked the sponsors of the Speak Up, Lehman College, Con Edison, and BCEQ.

The Con Edison table was right at the entrance to the Exhibit room which had many giveaways. 

Partnership for Parks were on hand at the Speak Up.

City Planning had a mock up of the Cross Bronx Expressway where new pedestrian walkways are being put in.

Ranger Hunter B. was by the Urban Park Rangers table.

The Friends of Mosholu Parkway as well as other Bronx Community organizations were in the house.

(L - R) Bronx Parks Commissioner Jessenia Aponte, NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue, and First Deputy Parks Commissioner Iris Rosa Rodriguez.

Past President of BCEQ  Dart Westphal speaking about Bronx Waterways and Greenways, Thirty  years later.

The Panel Discussion on Using Nature to Combat Climate Change.

 

D.A. Bragg Announces Indictment Of Sahara Dula For Intentionally Hitting NYPD Officer With Car

 

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., announced the indictment of SAHARA DULA, 24, for driving the wrong way on Park Avenue on the Upper East Side and intentionally hitting an NYPD Officer with her car when he approached the vehicle. DULA was charged Friday in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Attempted Assault in the First Degree; one count of Attempted Aggravated Assault Upon a Police Officer; two counts of Assault in the Second Degree; one count of Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Drugs; and one count of Reckless Driving. [1] 

“This defendant not only allegedly endangered the lives of countless people travelling on Park Avenue, but she deliberately sought to harm an NYPD officer. We have no tolerance for this type of dangerous attack against police officers and we will continue to treat this matter with the seriousness that it deserves. I hope the officer who was injured has a full recovery and thank him for his service to keep New Yorkers safe,” said District Attorney Bragg. 

According to court documents and statements made on the record, at approximately 4:30 p.m. on January 17, 2024, DULA drove her black Lexus northbound in the southbound lanes of Park Avenue for approximately 10 blocks while under the influence of marijuana. 

She swerved in and out of traffic and changed speeds until she reached East 71st Street, where she paused in the middle of the intersection while she was blocked by traffic. 

A police officer in the area approached DULA’s vehicle on foot to direct her into the proper lane of traffic. Instead of complying, DULA accelerated and hit him with her vehicle, causing him to roll up onto the hood of the car and fall to the ground. She was eventually arrested by another police officer in the area. 

The officer hit by DULA continues to suffer pain and has been unable to return to work. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant D.A. Elizabeth Barry, under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Harrison Schweiloch and Annie Siegel (Deputy Chiefs of Trial Burau 60), Chuck Whitt (Chief of Trial Bureau 60) and Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). 

D.A. Bragg thanked officers Ruchiran Dias, Kathleen Danaher and Rajhai Brown of the 19th precinct. 

[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.