Welcome to the first issue of BXDA Community News.
This newsletter will periodically update you about the work of my Office in the courthouse and in the community. While high-profile events are covered in the media, I want you also to be aware of things we do every day in furtherance of our mission of Pursuing Justice With Integrity.
As you know, the Bronx has been plagued by gun violence, and we are doing all we can to prevent and prosecute shootings.
Last summer, I implemented a violence reduction plan called P.E.A.C.E. (Precision Enforcement And Community Engagement). My Homicide, Violent Criminal Enterprise, Organized Criminal Activity and Crime Strategies Bureaus use data to pinpoint focus on the shooters who drive violent crime. ADAs respond to non-fatal shootings in hotspots and investigate them from inception just as they would in a homicide. We pursue evidence-based prosecutions in cases where the victim is uncooperative. Advocates from our Crime Victims Assistance Unit reach out to victims soon after their violent encounters to assess if they need services, regardless of whether a case moves forward. We work closely with NYPD, state and federal partners to target gun traffickers and gangs. And we continue to work with cure violence groups.
I hope we all enjoy a safe, healthy summer, and I look forward to seeing you around the Bronx.
Sincerely,
DA Clark
| | Mental Health and Criminal Justice Summit | |
On June 21, our Office held the first Bronx Mental Health and Criminal Justice Summit, which gathered representatives from state and city agencies, the courts, prosecution, defense, corrections, and mental health experts and boots- on- the- ground providers of crisis care to find solutions to the emergency in our Bronx communities.
There were panel discussions on community outreach and crisis care, crisis response, hearings, detention and courts; and a prosecutor’s perspective. The summit was a success. This is the start of effective partnerships. We are not going to wait for the city to come up with a solution. We will continue to collaborate with all the organizations who took part in this summit, to come up with long-term beneficial solutions to keep the Bronx safe.
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Our Office helped to make sure Bronx teens looked their best for their prom. In partnership with Bronx Fashion Week, we collected and distributed hundreds of dresses, suits, and accessories from our Office and the community to Bronx High School seniors for their special day. They looked fabulous! It was a joy to empower young people on a day that they will always remember.
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Summer is kicking off with moves toward a future without antisemitism, racism and hate. On June 12, BXDA staff and members of our community participated in the ADL Walk Against Hate at Parade Ground in Van Cortlandt Park. The event was hosted by the Anti-Defamation League NY/NJ. Partnering organizations were on site to offer information and resources to the community.
| | As the Bronx District Attorney's Office works to make sure the Bronx becomes a safer place, it's always great when we can let the community know what they can do to live safer lives. At our 5th annual Child Safety Fair, more than 300 people came out for safety information and a day of fun activities for their kids. The NYPD also distributed free SAFE Child Identification cards used by the New York State AMBER Alert and Missing Child Alert programs. | | 5K Walk/Run/Roll Against Gun Violence | |
Too many people have lost their lives due to gun violence. On June 4, our Office hosted a 5K Run/Walk/Roll against gun violence. Enough is enough. We are so thankful that the community united alongside us; especially the family of 16-year-old Angellyh Yambo (pictured above) who was fatally shot in broad daylight while walking home from school. We indicted the teen who was responsible for her death and are doing everything we can to ensure that gun violence comes to an end in the Bronx and across the country.
| | Community Rallies Against Fatal Shootings | |
Bronx DA Clark joined elected officials, community leaders and outraged community members to decry the killing of 11-year-old Kyhara Tay, another promising young life cut short by a gunman firing at a target, with no regard for anyone else on the street. The two teen shooters were indicted for murder earlier this month.
| | DA Asks for Credit Card Companies to Crackdown on Ghost Gun Sellers | | In this interview with ABC-7's Bill Ritter, Bronx DA Clark explained how credit card companies can help curb the proliferation of ghost guns: | | Drill Rap and Gun Violence | |
News 12's Kurt Semder and the Bronx DA discussed whether drill rap is influencing the increase in gun violence across New York City. Watch the interview here.
| | 23 Alleged River Park Towers Gang Members Charged in Three Indictments for Gun Crimes, Rikers Island Beatdown and Attempted Murder | |
On May 24, Bronx DA Clark and New York City Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell announced that 21 men and one teen—alleged members of the RPT organization— have been charged in a 65-count indictment with Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Attempted Murder, Attempted Assault, Criminal Possession of a Weapon and numerous other charges related to multiple shootings in and around the River Park Towers complex in the Highbridge neighborhood of the Bronx. Defendants include drill rappers who posted videos boasting of shootings they committed.
| | Governor Hochul Strengthens New York's Gun Laws | |
On June 6, Bronx DA Clark was with community leaders as Governor Hochul signed landmark gun bills into law in the Bronx. We are doing all we can to stem the carnage of mass shootings, and the everyday gun violence that plagues our communities.
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A New Jersey man was sentenced to 14 years in prison for shooting a woman after she rejected his sexual advances
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Bronx Man sentenced to 19 Years in prison for fatally stabbing customer in bodega
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Bronx man sentenced to 10 years in prison for sex trafficking of woman and teenage girl
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NYCHA supervisor sentenced to 12 years in prison for shooting superintendent
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Bronx man sentenced to 27 years to life in prison in 2018 murder of Lisa Marie Velasquez
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Rikers Island inmate sentenced to nine years in prison for assaulting jail physician; taking physician assistant hostage
| | Committed to our Senior Citizens | | June is elder abuse awareness month, but every day our Office helps our senior citizens, by holding accountable those who bring harm, answering questions about scams or referring people to agencies that can help them. | | Bronx DA Clark with Man-of-the-Year George C. Crouch, 98, who was active for decades in Bronx and New York City organizations, at the Retirees of Dreiser Loop 50th Anniversary. | |
Currently we are prosecuting some 20 defendants for assault, robbery and other crimes against elderly residents of the Bronx.
Last month our Economic Crimes Bureau brought a case against two Bronx women for Grand Larceny and additional charges for swindling a 92-year-old woman out of $840,000 from selling her house and withdrawing from her bank accounts without her knowledge. The defendants are accused of preying on the victim by having her sign documents giving them power of attorney enabling them to access her accounts and finances. The victim lost her home as well as money used to support her extended family.
We have noticed there are mainly two types of elderly people who scammers tend to seek out. First are the socially isolated. People who don’t have friends and family nearby to help them. They’re targeted by people who appear to offer aide, concern and companionship. They convince victims that they are indispensable. The second type, are those exploited by family members or children. Children may be taking control over an elderly person and their resources. Victims already trust these people, because they are family.
If you are a victim of physical, emotional or financial abuse, or suspect that someone you know is, call our Elder Abuse Advocate, 718-590-2114.
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