Bronx

Bronx Crime Watch: Still Waiting on Neighborhood Crime Stats

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Don’t think we’ve forgotten about this, NYPD. As we’ve said repeatedly: These neighborhood crime statistics would be an invaluable resource for citizens. It’s our contention that precinct-wide crime numbers are almost completely useless if we still don’t know, specifically, where the crimes are happening. Our count-up (see below) starts from when we first formally requested sector stats for the 52nd Precinct last June. In October of last year we requested sector stats for every precinct in the borough.

Bronx

Bronx News Roundup, Thursday, July 7

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Weather: Really hot and humid, again. High in the 90s, with a miniscule chance of rain early this afternoon. Should cool down tomorrow. Story of the Day: Darlene Urena, the 5-year-old Soundview-area girl who was shot in the stomach over Memorial Day weekend, is well on her way to recovery. On her way to friend’s home to share a bag of Doritos, Urena was caught in a hail of gunfire, which police say was the result of a feud between rival gangs.

Bronx

Events: Bronx Salsa Festival

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The Bronx Salsa Festival kicks off tonight and will run through this Sunday, July 10, with dance-themed events taking place each night until then.Head over the Pregones Theatre at 7 p.m for a screening of the award-winning documentary “From Mambo To Hip Hop, A South Bronx Tale,” followed by a discussion on the history of salsa music led by film co-producer Elena Martinez and multi-Grammy nominated percussionist Bobby Sanabria. Afterwards, professional dancer and instructor Elvis Collado, winner of the 2010 New York/ New Jersey Salsa Open Championship, and his partner Melanie Castillo lead a demonstration and group lesson. There’s something happening every night until Sunday, and you can check out the full schedule here.

Bronx News Network

Controversial Minister Looks to Set Up Shop at the Armory

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Creflo Dollar, pictured with his wife, Taffi, in a photofrom the Kingsbridge Armory report.An evangelical preacher from Georgia, known for his lavish lifestyle and for touting the spiritual benefits of wealth, is proposing to take over the long-vacant Kingsbridge Armory, according to a report released by the Bronx borough president’s office last month.World Changers Church International, an Atlanta-based, nondenominational parish led by television preacher Creflo Dollar and his wife, Taffi, has proposed turning the 575,000 square-foot West Kingsbridge Road building into a “state of the art church facility” fit with administrative offices, daycare and afterschool program space, a gymnasium, food and clothing banks and a recording studio.The proposal is one of over 20 submitted to Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., and a task force he appointed last year to consider future uses for the space. World Changers presented to the task force in January, and said their center, if approved, would be open to use for all community members, regardless of religious affiliation.Dollar (yes, that’s his real name, according to a “frequently asked questions” section on the church’s website) is a controversial figure in the religious world, known for preaching “prosperity theology,” or the idea that God rewards believers with wealth and financial bounty.“Jesus came to restore abundance and prosperity in our lives,” Dollar wrote in a column on his website. “Simply put, we don’t have to be poor once we grab hold of the Word of God.”Bob Hall, head pastor of Bronx Household of Faith, a conservative evangelical Christian church in University Heights, called Dollar’s ministry “crap,” and said his focus on wealth and affluence gives Christianity a bad name. “This is what frustrates me about the mega churches,” he said. “If we had just a tenth of their landscaping budget, just think about how much good we could do.”Dollar’s budget is big enough for World Changers’ New York affiliate to rent out mega venues like Madison Square Garden and the Javits Center for services.

Bronx News Network

Despite Outcry, City Moves Ahead With Wakefield Homeless Shelter Plan

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It looks like the Muller Army Reserve Center, a former military base in Wakefield that community leaders want to house the Kingsbridge Armory Annex’s National Guard so that the Kingsbridge Armory Annex can house a school (confusing, right?), is set to become a homeless shelter-the plan that Mayor Bloomberg’s administration has long been pushing.Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., who

Bronx

Bronx News Roundup, Tuesday July 5

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Hope everyone had a good holiday weekend!Weather: Bright and sunny today with a high of 92! Stay cool folks!Story of the Day: Ever wonder what the NYPD does with confiscated fireworks? Watch the video of the NYPD’s disposal of 5, 000 pounds of fireworks at a firing range in the Bronx.Quick Hits:Councilman Larry Seabrook, who is awaiting trial on corruption charges, made headlines today because he is trying to give taxpayer money to an unlicensed after-school program.