This spring has been very troubling to the areas of the North Bronx. Kingsbridge & Kingsbridge Heights have had over 30 reported attacks in the last year, by youths during all hours of the day. A community meeting was held several months ago where over 150 community residents vented about their childrens’ safety. You might have seen a report on many TV Channels, including Ch 9 & Ch.11 regarding this situation.

Bedford Park & Mosholu Parkway are constantly being hit with “car attacks” by youths after the midnight hours. At Tracey Towers, we are still horrified at the early May shooting of 4 youths (thank god no one died) . “gang territorities” ,we are now finding is the reason.

Middle School 80, in Norwood, at the southern end of The Riverdale or “81st Assembly District” are scared for the safety of their children after the 3PM Class Bell. In a recent newspaper report, Parent Coordinator Angela Roker, PTA President Sheila Sanchez & Principal Lovey Rivera, were all determined in saving “some of my kids who I feel are like my own”, says Mrs. Rivera.

The Children’s Collective, who held their “1st Community Night Out” on Child Abuse, after the horrific killings in Norwood in January of 2006 went back into action. Nearly a year after The Children’s Collective put “public awareness” on the map of our public & elected officials in 2006, On Thursday, May 17th, 2007, our organization held their “2nd Community Night Out” on Children’s Safety.

During our 5 hour extravanga, we held a FREE Community Day with; food, refreshments, community information, youth activity workshops (to give children other options of after school activities after the 3PM bell) & mini town hall meetings for community residents to speak to their officials.

From 4PM to 6PM, Friends of Van Courtland Park, Bronxnet TV & The Police Explores taught 20 children their special community & professional skills to expose them to community life. The Friends of Van Courtlandt Park spent the hour teaching children how important it is to get involved in maintaining, preserving and cleaning your community park as an after school activity while Bronxnet TV spent an hour teaching children how to become a film producer. There was not a time that over 10 kids were constantly asking questions. The last speaker, Officer Yvette Ortega, from The 52nd Pct Police Explores showed children how important it is to be a police officer and they could join as an “Explorer” for after school activities. When I spoke with all 3 organizations afterwards, I heard it was a complete success.

At 6PM, we held our “Public Officials & Police Captain” town hall meeting where over 75 people (45 kids) spoke with the participants on the panel: Community Board 7 Chair, Gregory Faulker, Community Board 8 Chair Anthony Cassino & The Police officials from The 50th & 52nd Pcts. A boisterous crowd let the panel know how important it was to protect their children from harm AFTER school hours. Parent Coordinator Roker handled the MC with a mighty hand letting both Police Captains (who are new on the job) know that many serious incidents were happening, according to Ms Sanchez, “right in front of the school grounds”. Community Board 7 Chairman Gregory Faulker, said that he would make this “a top priority”.

At 7PM, our “Elected Officials” town hall meeting was held. At the dais were State Assemblypeople, Jose Rivera, Jeffrey Dinowitz, Efrain Gonzalez and representatives for Councilman Oliver Koppell and Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera. In what might have looked like a piece of history in the making, both, Assemblymen, Jose Rivera & Jeffrey Dinowitz pledged “office & political resources” to help clear up the stank of gang violence. “Even if you want to organize and petition Gov Spitzer, I am with you because children’s safety is imperative to a communities future”, shouted Assemblyman Rivera, upon pressed by the audience.

At 8PM, The Community Education Council-the advisory arm of The Board of Education that assists in educational policy held their monthly meeting. President Marvin Shelton basically opened up the table for community questions to find out concerns of the community. It was safe to say that they had a productive meeting, as they were there the longest.

From 4-9PM, as the crowds were flowing bath & forth, from workshop to town hall meetings, they were met by much community tables offering community opportunities. For example, The Department of Labor table was constantly packed as Bronx Director Fay Morales of Workforce 1 provided “Community Jobs”. Residents also could have learned about “civic & political life” as local political club, “The Committee of 100 Democrats were talking with children & parents about civic involvement.

Shortly afterwards, we were very happy to read a variety of press reports about our event

*From the desk of State Senator Efrain Gonzalez, “I commend all that have willingly volunteer their ti,e and talents for the purpose of protecting children. If more people took such an interest, we might not have such a high incidence of abductions, violence, etc, kudos.

*The Department of Labor said, “Congratulations to all of you on a very noteworthy and humble event. All of you should be honored”.

One of those in attendance that night was Tracy Towers Tenant Association President Samuel Gillian. Like our event, he wanted to hold a “community meeting” at Tracey Towers the following week for a public sit down on children’s safety.

Like with all our efforts, there are short term and long term gains.

On a Long term Scale, On June 15th, many community residents of Tracey Towers, Knox Gates & surrounding areas are now meeting FOR THE 2nd time in a continual effort to address the many areas of children’s safety. First on their list: More Youth Job Opportunities.

The 33 Affiliated Members of The Children’s Collective are:
Community Education Council 10, First Step Woman’s Support Group, Kingsbridge Heights Neighborhood Improvement Association, Education Dept;Office of Bronx Borough President, Adolfo Carrion’, Friends of Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx Community Board Chairpeople 07 & 08, Montefiore Child Advocacy Center, North Bronx Democratic Alliance, Norwood Against Graffiti, Bronxites for Parks, Lehman College Small Business Development Center,, Bronxnet TV, Bronx Conservative Party, Working Families Party, Bronx District Attorney Child Abuse Unit, Police Explores Program, It Takes a Village…Worldwide, P.S.8, Middle School 80,Administration for Children Services (ACS), Bronxtalk AM, Project Whoppie, Living & Learning By The Arts, Riverdale Mental Health Association, The Bronx 50th & 52nd Police Pcts.

Civic Offices:
Congressman Eliot Engel
State Assemblywoman, Naomi Rivera
State Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz
State Assemblyman, Jose’ Rivera
State Senator, Efrain Gonzalez
Councilman, Oliver Koppell

The Committee of 100 Democrats is now an independent organization, as of December of 2006.

For further information, contact Anthony Rivieccio at 646.519.0235