Streetlight repairs, domestic violence and ICE cooperation discussed at public safety meeting

Bronx Community Board 8’s Public Safety Committee tackled a range of neighborhood concerns at its Oct. 22 meeting, from an increase in crime rates and quality-of-life issues to homelessness and and domestic violence prevention.

Members of the New York City Police Department’s 50th Precinct and the New York City Fire Department provided updates on local safety conditions, while committee members discussed several initiatives aimed at addressing residents’ concerns.

Here are five things residents should know from the meeting.

Crime rates

Major crime in the 50th Precinct was down approximately 3% year to date, with 1,069 reported incidents compared with 1,102 during the same period last year, according to the precinct’s commanding officer, deputy inspector Amadeo Oktrova.

Still, felony assaults increased significantly over the most recent 28-day reporting period, with 20 incidents compared with nine during the comparable period last year. Police said many involved domestic disputes, roommates or co-workers rather than random street attacks.

One exception was an unprovoked slashing of an older adult on West Kingsbridge Road earlier in October, Oktrova said, adding a suspect was subsequently arrested in Brooklyn.

Oktrova also reported three robberies involving young people near local schools, including one at the John F. Kennedy Campus and two near Marie Curie High School within the past month.  An arrest was made in the Kennedy incident, while the other two cases remained under investigation as of the Oct. 22 meeting.

The precinct also reported nine homicides year to date, compared with one during the same period last year. Police said several stemmed from domestic violence or other private incidents.

Broken streetlights

Poorly-lit streets throughout North Riverdale have prompted complaints from residents, particularly those returning home after dark.

Community board member Laura Spalter raised concerns about malfunctioning streetlights near West 255th Street and Mosholu Avenue — by Sid Augerten Field and the Riverdale Library, with many residents having submitted multiple 311 complaints to the city and the board.

One meeting participant described similar conditions near West 252nd Street and Lakeview Place, saying inadequate lighting made walking home from the bus particularly uncomfortable for older residents.

Board members said the problem extends beyond individual intersections, with complaints about delayed streetlight repairs throughout the district. CB8, the board said, sent a letter to the city comptroller’s office requesting a review of the New York City Department of Transportation’s streetlight maintenance contractor and whether services are being completed.

They encouraged residents to report broken streetlights through NYC 311, providing the nearest intersection or street address, and to forward complaint numbers to CB8 to help document recurring problems.

Domestic violence prevention

Domestic violence prevention was another focus of the meeting, with a representative from the 50th Precinct’s Domestic Violence Unit discussing how officers investigate complaints and connect survivors with services.

According to police, domestic violence investigations are now handled within the NYPD’s Detective Bureau, allowing investigators to manage cases and conduct follow-up visits rather than transferring responsibilities between separate units. Depending on individual circumstances, officers can help connect survivors with resources such as relocation assistance, counseling and home security measures.

Committee chair Ed Green discussed the board creating a bilingual, one-page resource guide directing residents to domestic violence services and support organizations.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

The 50th Precinct addressed questions about its relationship with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement following the Oct. 8 shooting of Oscar Belgal, an undocumented immigrant, by a federal immigration officer in Marble Hill. Belgal’s 5-year-old son was in the back seat of the car when the incident occurred and was unharmed, officials reported.

Green asked precinct officials about their involvement in the incident and whether local police cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

Oktrova said NYPD officers responded after the shooting and transported Belgal to the hospital because of delays in ambulance availability.

Asked about cooperation with ICE, the commanding officer said the precinct had “zero cooperation” with the federal agency. He also confirmed that no arrests related to the ensuing protests had been made by the 50th Precinct.

When asked whether the lack of cooperation extended to individuals detained for other crimes, he said those cases are referred to the district attorney’s office for prosecution rather than federal immigration authorities.

E-bike warnings

With colder weather approaching, an FDNY representative urged residents to take precautions involving heating equipment, smoke detectors and lithium-ion batteries used in electric bicycles and scooters.

During the meeting, the representative stressed the dangers of storing or charging e-bikes near apartment entrances, where they can obstruct escape routes during a fire.

Residents who raised questions about whether landlords can prohibit e-bikes inside residential buildings learned that obstructed common hallways are a safety concern, with the FDNY urging residents to report such conditions through 311.

The committee also revisited its support for stricter e-bike regulations, including supporting legislation that would require registration and identification plates for certain motorized bicycles.

Separately, members discussed drafting a pedestrian safety advisory for local colleges, encouraging students to be mindful of traffic, wear reflective clothing after dark and exercise caution on winding or poorly-lit neighborhood streets.

That proposal is expected to return for further discussion at a future committee meeting.