Policy: Bronx 2010 Demographic Data

Health: Excellence in School Wellness Award

Health: The Bronx CAN Health Initiative

Health: Urban Farm Tours

Constituent Services: Latest Information on the Advantage Program

Planning and Development: Waterfront Vision | Notes

Coro Announces Neighborhood Leadership Program: Click here for more information

Community Services: Access to Home Program

Testimony of Borough President Diaz
RE: Potential Sale of the Bronx General Post Office

At a United States Postal Service hearing regarding the potential sale of the Bronx General Post Office, Deputy Bronx Borough President Aurelia Greene testified on behalf of Borough President Diaz.

Click here to read the testimony.

Those interested in submitting comments regarding the potential sale of the Bronx General Post Office must do so through the mail. Remarks should be sent to:

Joseph Mulvey
U.S. Postal Service
2 Congress Street, Room 8
Milford, MA 01757

Statement from Borough President Diaz
RE: Passing of Community Board #4 Chair Pastor Wenzell P. Jackson

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Pastor Wenzell P. Jackson, a good friend and partner who served as chairperson of Community Board #4 and as Bishop of the Mount Hermon Baptist Church in Highbridge.

“Pastor Jackson’s passing is a big loss for the Bronx and the community he so strongly and passionately served as both a public servant and clergy leader. While we mourn his loss, his commitment and work in our community will forever live in our hearts. I would like to extend my most heartfelt condolences to his family and friends and will keep them as well as Pastor Jackson in my prayers,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Statement from Borough President Diaz
RE: Passing of Former Mayor Ed Koch

“Today the Bronx is mourning the death of a son and one of the city’s greatest and most charismatic public leaders. Mayor Ed Koch was a man of wit and wisdom, a leader who helped lift our city out of the brink of bankruptcy, raising our spirits along the way and securing New York’s place as the capital of the world.

“Mayor Koch was always proud of his Bronx roots. During his administration he helped rebuild the South Bronx, creating a task force that helped restore burned-out buildings while creating new, thriving communities—work that still resonates to this day. He was a man of deep devotion, who after leaving office continued to inspire New Yorkers through his activism and his commitment to a city he fiercely loved.

“While we mourn his loss we honor his legacy, commitment to civil rights and his civic leadership, which will forever live in our hearts and in the millions of lives he touched. On behalf of the 1.4 million residents of the Bronx, I would like to extend our most heartfelt condolences to his family and friends during this very difficult time,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Celebrates
National Mentoring Month with Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC

Borough President Declares January 28th “Mentoring Day” in the Bronx;
BBBS of NYC Launches 2013 Mentor Recruiting Effort

Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. today joined Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC (BBBS of NYC), the nation’s first and New York’s largest youth mentoring organization, in celebrating National Mentoring Month by declaring January 28th “Mentoring Day” in the Bronx.

The Borough President presented a proclamation to Big Brother Jermaine, Little Brother Josiah and representatives of BBBS of NYC at Borough Hall  

“Young people face so many challenges growing up today and the presence of a mentor can make all the difference in overcoming these obstacles and becoming a successful adult,” said Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “That is why I am proud to declare January 28th ‘Mentoring Day’ in the Bronx. I salute Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC for its work to ensure every child in this city has a positive role model, and I urge caring adults throughout the Bronx to volunteer today to make a difference in someone’s life.”

Continue reading the press release.

Bronx Murder Rate Falls to Historic Low

Borough Sees Fewest Murders Since Early 1960's, Lower Murder Rate Than
Philadelphia, Boston, Newark and Other Major Cities

Today, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. released statistics highlighting the decrease in murders in the Bronx in 2012. Last year, the Bronx had a total of 112 murders, down from 148 in 2011 and an all time low in the borough since the early 1960’s.

“We are fed up with the negative stereotypes and the erroneous images about who we are as a Borough. The Bronx is a different place from when I was a teenager in the 80's and 90's, and hopefully we can make 2013 safer. This is a good first step, but we have much more work ahead of us,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Borough President Diaz added, “I would especially like to thank the hard work of the NYPD, our elected officials, community organizations and everyone who continues to help make our borough a safer place to live.”

With roughly 1.4 million residents in the Bronx, statistics show that in 2012 the Bronx had a murder rate of 8.0 per 100,000 residents. For example, in 2012 Philadelphia’s murder rate stood at 21.4 per 100,000 residents, while Boston had a murder rate of 9.1 per 100,000 and Newark had 33.1 per 100,000 in 2012.

Other cities with significantly higher murder rates than the Bronx included New Orleans, Detroit, Atlantic City, Cleveland, Buffalo, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Dallas and Houston. Los Angeles, with a murder rate of 7.7 per 100,000 residents, barely edged out the Bronx in 2012.

“The Bronx is outpacing the nation in a wide variety of areas, including crime reduction. These statistics show that our borough, which continues to suffer from an inaccurate image as a dangerous place, is indeed outpacing some of the nation’s biggest cities when it comes to violent crime reduction. Given these numbers, it’s time for people across the nation and the world to reconsider how they think about the Bronx,” said Borough President Diaz.

Since the NYPD began tracking crime statistics through CompStat 19 years ago, the Bronx has seen a 70.4 percent total drop in crime, including a 78.1 percent drop in murders. This year’s drop is the lowest number of total murders since 1963. In 2012, the borough saw a drop in shooting victims of 7.7 percent and in shooting incidents of 6.7 percent from the previous year. In the past 19 years, the Bronx has seen shooting victims drop 65.1 percent, and shooting incidents drop 68.5 percent.

Download the data.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Invites You to
Attend the 2013 State of the Borough Address

Borough President Diaz will deliver his fourth State of the Borough Address on Tuesday, February 19, 2013, at James Monroe High School, located at 1300 Boynton Avenue in the Bronx.

Download the invitation here.

RSVP: sotb@bronxbp.nyc.gov or call 718-590-6116.

Borough President Diaz Testifies for Increased Metro North Service in Riverdale

Testimony of Borough President Diaz
RE: Increased Service for the Spuyten Duyvil and Riverdale Stations
Public Hearing — January 23, 2012

Dear members of the MTA board, Metro North officials, elected officials and the public, I am here this evening to present comments in support of the proposed increased Metro North service for the Spuyten Duyvil and Riverdale stations.

Over the course of the last year, I have pursued a campaign to bring new Metro North service to the East Bronx communities of Co-op City, Morris Park, Parkchester, and Hunts Point.   Hundreds of people came out to community meetings to speak out in support of bringing Metro North service to the East Bronx. 

Continue reading Borough President Diaz's testimony.

NYCERS Board of Trustees Pass Resolution Requiring
Analysis of Any 'System' Investments in Gun Manufacturing Companies

Today, the Board of Trustees of the New York City Employees’ Retirement System (NYCERS) unanimously passed a resolution, introduced by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., requiring an analysis of any investments that the pension system may have in companies producing assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines.

The resolution requests that the New York City Comptroller’s Bureau of Asset Management conduct the analysis and find solutions on how the pension system might terminate such investments.  

“There is a moral imperative for our pension system to stop supporting companies that have been partners in the loss of so many innocent lives. The action taken by the NYCERS Board of Trustees is a truly important start, together with legislative actions like New York State’s assault weapon ban, to get more weapons off of our streets and put an end to senseless acts of violence,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Continue reading the press release.

Statement from Borough President Diaz
Re: New State & Federal Gun Laws

“New York continues to lead the nation when it comes to tough gun control laws. I congratulate Governor Cuomo for his courage and leadership and the entire State Legislature for acting so quickly to pass the NY SAFE Act (Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act). The new law will limit gun violence through common sense, reasonable reforms that include addressing the risks posed by mentally ill people who have access to guns as well as banning high capacity magazines and lethal assault weapons.

“Last night Albany took a giant step forward to protect people against gun violence and now we need the federal government to follow suit. I welcome President Obama's call today for concrete proposals to toughen gun laws nationwide to reduce gun violence epidemic that plagues our country.

“I support President Obama’s specific call for universal criminal background checks, bans on deadly assault weapons and limits on high-capacity magazines, national criminal database improvements, increases in mental health funding, expanded background checks for gun purchases and new gun trafficking laws to crack down on the spread of weapons across the country. President Obama’s call is a strong first step, but now Congress needs to take action. Any failure to act is a slap in the face to the people of this nation,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Statement from Borough President Diaz
RE: School Bus Driver Strike

“I hope that the City and Local 1181 return to the bargaining table, and this strike comes to a swift resolution. We understand the reasons for the strike.  Yet, our children’s safety is our highest priority.  We hope this will be worked out as quickly as possible, especially due to the travel hardship that it presents for the students and parents; particularly parents who have to report to work. I encourage employers to understand the duties of being a parent, and to be lenient to their employees who have to make alternative travel arrangements for their children due to this strike,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Statement from Borough President Diaz
RE: Gov. Cuomo's 2013 'State of the State'

"Once again, Governor Andrew Cuomo has outlined a strong agenda for the future of our state. I am especially heartened by the governor's emphatic call for New York State to enact the strongest gun laws in the nation as part of his seven-point plan, especially in regards to the availability of high-capacity magazines.

"I also support the governor's proposals to strengthen our infrastructure and protections for buildings in low-lying coastal areas in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, as well as his efforts on equal pay for women and to raise our state's minimum wage. I have long supported an increase in New York's minimum wage, and I am ready to work with the governor and the State Legislature to make this a reality. This is the right thing to do.

Continue reading the statement.

Borough President Diaz's Constituent Services Unit
Helped More Than 3,400 Bronxites in 2012

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. has announced his office’s final tally of constituent service’s cases from 2012.

In total, Borough President Diaz’s Constituent Services Unit handled 3,428 different cases last year on a wide variety of issues, including housing, employment, traffic, transportation and other concerns.

“Constituent service has been a top priority of mine for as long as I’ve been an elected official. Each of these cases represents an individual, a family or even a community that came to us for help, and each of them received the full attention of my office. The most basic service of any elected official is helping their constituents with everyday problems, and I am proud that my wonderful constituent service unit was able to help so many Bronxites,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Continue reading the press release.

Statement from Borough President Diaz
RE: Federal Court Ruling on Stop & Frisk

“The NYPD needs to reassess and revisit their training methods in order to implement programs that residents find helpful, such as ‘Trespassing Affidavit Program,’ in a manner that does not impinge upon state and federal constitutional rights

“I am opposed to the NYPD’s ‘stop & frisk’ program as it is currently constituted.  Yet I know that my constituents have expressed to my office in our 2011 quality of life survey that greater police presence was a high priority to them. In addition, I hear from constituents all the time that they value the ‘Trespassing Affidavit Program,” which could be greatly affected by today’s ruling.

“Not all stops are misused, but many are. I prefer a return to a ‘stop, question & frisk’ program as we had in the past, as it would provide for greater investigation by our police prior to physical contact. The NYPD needs to address policies that will reconcile the desire for greater police presence without the fear of harassment, and I am prepared to work with our police department on such a plan,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Borough President Diaz Signs the Daily News’ Gun Petition

Joining Borough President Diaz in picture from left to right: Taina, Raena, Noah, Lauren, and Ryan.

On Thursday, December 27, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. signed the Daily News’ gun petition, a  campaign which calls for a ban on assault weapons in wake of the Newtown, Connecticut massacre. The Borough President put his pen to the petition while being visited by some of his staff members’ children.

“We face a real crisis, not just in the Bronx but in this City and across the nation. Ending gun violence has been a top priority of mine since I became an elected official. I commend the Daily News for taking such a strong leadership role in this effort. There is no need for the general public to have access to assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.  Moreover, those who believe it is their constitutional right to possess such inherently dangerous and deadly technology are terribly misinformed.  It is time for Congress to act. This is a common sense first step towards sensible gun laws, and I am proud to support it,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Click here to read the complete Daily News article.

Borough President Diaz Urges Bronx Residents to
Apply to Their Local Community Board
Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. invites Bronx residents to make a difference in their community by joining their local Community Board. The Office of the Bronx Borough President will be accepting applications for all 12 Community Boards from city residents who reside, work or have professional or other significant interests in the Bronx.

“Participation on local Community Boards can provide Bronx residents with a forum to share with their community their expertise and talents,” said Borough President Diaz. “It is important that community residents participate in the decision making process in their communities on important budget, land use and service delivery issues.”

Applications are available at the Borough President’s Community Board office at (718) 590-3914 or at your local community board office. Interested applicants may also get forms on line at bronxboropres.nyc.gov. The deadline for submission of applications for the next round of appointments is February 8, 2013.

Download Application

Borough President Diaz and Assembly Member Goldfeder
Distributed Toys in Far Rockaway

On Wednesday, December 19, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joined Assembly Member Phil Goldfeder to distribute toys in Far Rockaway, one of the City’s neighborhoods hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy. Borough President Diaz and Assembly Member Goldfeder were joined by representatives of Health Plus, who donated the toys for the event.

Borough President Diaz Names Robert Powell to Panel for Educational Policy

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. today announced that Robert Powell has been appointed as the borough’s representative to the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP), which holds approval power over the actions of the New York City Department of Education.

A resident of Wakefield and a product of public schools himself, Mr. Powell joins the Panel for Educational Policy having raised six children in the New York City public school system, and is currently the father of a student at Herbert H. Lehman High School, where he is a former parent association president.

“Robert Powell is dedicated to the growth and well-being of our borough’s public school system, and has shown a strong commitment to the children of this borough and this City during his many years of service. I look forward to working with him to continue our work in developing a strong agenda for the future success of our public school system,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

“I’m very happy to represent the Bronx on the Panel for Educational policy. I look forward to working with the parents, educators and our students to improve our public schools, and I thank Borough President Diaz for this amazing opportunity,” said Robert Powell.

Continue reading the press release.

Borough President Diaz Hails New Funding by Governor Cuomo’s
Regional Economic Development Council

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. praised today’s announcement of new economic development funding for the Bronx, provided through Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Councils.

Specifically, the council announced today $400,000 in new funding for the Oak Point Property to construct a warehouse, distribution and food processing facility. The project will feature locally grown and organic produce/farm products from New York State growers, a rooftop farm run by Gotham Greens, and a training facility.

“When it comes to feeding our region the Bronx is leading the way and today’s announcement shows just how important the food industry is to the economy of not just our borough, but the entire City and State. This project will not only create new jobs, it will help solidify the Bronx as the hub for this major industry, and I thank Governor Cuomo and the Regional Economic Development Councils for their continued faith in the future of the Bronx. I look forward to continuing to work with the City and the State to foster positive economic development in the Bronx,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Continue reading the press release.

Borough President Diaz Visited Allan Houston's
5 Borough Basketball Tour Benefit

On Saturday, December 15, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. visited St. Raymond's High School in Castle Hill to participate in the 5 Borough Basketball Tour to benefit New York Knicks' great Allan Houston's Father Knows Best Program. More information on that program can be found at www.fkbnation.com.

(l to r) Allan Houston, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Maddie, the mascot of the WNBA's New York Liberty; and Jay Sugarman of the Jay & Kelly Sugarman Foundation, the event's sponsor.

Local Officials & BOEDC Team Up with Equity One to Recruit Bronx Residents

Major Kingsbridge Development Expected to Create Hundreds of New Jobs

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., City Council Member G. Oliver Koppell, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, and Bronx Community Board #8 have announced that their offices, along with the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation and the New York City Economic Development Corporation, will join with Equity One to recruit potential construction-related employees for their forthcoming commercial development, Broadway Plaza, at Broadway and West 230th Street in Kingsbridge.

Equity One is seeking resumes from talented qualified building tradesman who live in Riverdale, Kingsbridge, Van Cortlandt Village, Kingsbridge Heights and the north Bronx who are currently unemployed. Interested parties will be able to drop off their resumes at the offices of each of these officials and the BOEDC. In addition, the BOEDC will be hosting a job fair to solicit applicants, the details of which will be released in the near future.

“I’m thrilled that this important site will soon become the home to several new, top-notch stores.  The Broadway Plaza development is a major step forward for the Kingsbridge commercial corridor, and will serve as a new retail hub for the northwest Bronx while creating much needed jobs along the way. I encourage qualified Bronx residents to take advantage of this opportunity and apply for these jobs. My office looks forward to working with the BOEDC, Equity One and the New York City Economic Development Corporation to bring this project to life as we continue to provide Bronxites with job opportunities," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Continue reading the press release.

Borough President Diaz Joins NYC Parks & Recreation Commissioner Veronica White and Other Elected Officials To Cut The Ribbon at the New Van Cortlandt Park Ice Skating Rink

On Monday, November 19, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., joined Parks & Recreation Commissioner Veronica White, State Senator Jeff Klein, City Council Member G. Oliver Koppell, Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz , Bryant Park Corporation President Dan Biederman, members of the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy, and others to cut the ribbon for the inaugural season of the new Van Cortlandt Park Ice Skating Rink. The seasonal rink, which is the first public ice skating rink in the Bronx, will be open from noon to late evenings during the fall and winter. The rink is easily accessible via public transportation – located near the #1 train, the Riverdale Metro North Station and several bus lines. Hockey and skating lessons, as well as skate and locker rentals will be available.

Read all of Borough President Diaz's press releases and statements.