Week in Rewind: Illegal smoke shops, e-scooters in the Bronx River, and upgrades to East Bronx FDNY stations

The Week in Rewind spotlights some of the editorial work of the Bronx Times for the week of Sept. 29-Oct. 6.

Illegal smoke shops prove to be a challenge for Bronx pols amid legal cannabis rollout

Despite attempts from local leaders to address constituent complaints, the fight to shut down illegal smoke shops in the Bronx seems far from over.

With the legal dispensary rollout in shambles and a statewide legal battle halting an already slow-moving launch, the growth of unregulated smoke shops has exploded since recreational marijuana was legalized in New York state in 2021.

The NYPD Sheriff’s Joint Compliance Task Force seized THC flower, pre-rolls, edibles and vapes, along with flavored vapes, untaxed cigarettes and other tobacco products on Sept. 13 at three Allerton Avenue smoke shops: 200 Healthy Deli Corp. at 649 Allerton Ave., BX Convenience & Smoke Store Corp. at 686-688 Allerton Ave. and Allerton Ave Smoke Shop Inc. at 800 Allerton Ave. The raids yielded two arrests and an estimated $223,700 in penalties, according to the sheriff’s office.

But it’s unclear how many illegal smoke shops there actually are across the city. Dan Haughney, the state Office of Cannabis Management’s (OCM) director of enforcement, told the Bronx Times in an interview that while there have been estimates thrown out, the agency has gotten unfounded complaints about alleged shops.

“I think that the numbers that have been out in the public view by various sources are elevated,” Haughney said.

He did not have a number of shops that the agency has fined or shut down in the Bronx to provide, and OCM did not respond to follow-up requests for that information.

Despite being disproportionately impacted by cannabis policing, which was supposed to be at the center of the state’s legalization efforts, the Bronx only has one legal recreational dispensary, which opened in the Crotona neighborhood in July. The shop, called Statis, began operations a whole six months after New York City’s first shop opened in Manhattan’s East Village in December 2022.

Throggs Neck BID Director Bob Jaen points out businesses he believes are illegally selling cannabis to Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark (left) and City Councilmember Marjorie Velázquez on July 13, 2023. Photo Aliya Schneider

Veo ‘dumps’ e-scooter service near Bronx River after devices end up in water

Stumped on how to solve e-scooters ending up in the Bronx River, one company has partially suspended service because of it.

Veo — one of the three e-scooter companies participating in the East Bronx e-scooter pilot — removed access along the Bronx River Parkway because of people regularly vandalizing the devices, throwing them into the river and abandoning them in the park, Veo spokesperson Page Miller told the Bronx Times.

“After discussing this issue with the City and local stakeholders, we made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend service in the area while we further evaluate the situation and explore long-term solutions,” Miller said. “As a reminder, if residents see anyone vandalizing or misusing vehicles, they should contact 311.”

To deter vandalism and vehicles ending up in the river, the company first geofenced the parkland that runs along the Bronx River Parkway earlier this summer. But when the problem persisted, the no-ride zone was expanded outside the park in late July, going from East 233rd Street down along Carpenter and Olinville avenues until Pelham Parkway, restricting access to Bronx Boulevard/Bronx Park East as well as Duncomb and Barker avenues and the side streets in between.

“This is a temporary measure intended to address a specific vandalism issue in the area until a long-term solution is identified,” Miller told the Bronx Times on Aug. 23, though the suspension currently remains in effect.

Jason McFarlane, a Wakefield resident who regularly rides e-scooters with more than 1,200 trips under his belt, told the Bronx Times removing access to the bike lanes along the Bronx River Parkway and Bronx Boulevard — which feel safer to travel on than other nearby options — was “one of the worst things Veo could have done.”

Gunman cuffed for executing his 80-year-old stepfather in the Bronx: NYPD

Law enforcement officials on Thursday cuffed the gunman they believe shot his 80-year-old stepfather to death in the Bronx last month.

Melvin Java, 46, was tracked down and arrested in Pennsylvania by the U.S. Marshals Service and the New York/New Jersey Regional Task Force for the Sept. 17 execution-style shooting of Marcelino Valerio, his own stepfather, authorities said.

According to police sources, Java allegedly donned a ski mask and wore all black before lying in wait for his 80-year-old stepfather to return home from a party with his wife when he shot him in the head on the corner of West 168 Street and Ogden Avenue just after 1 a.m., mere blocks from where the senior lived. Java then allegedly fled the scene on a bicycle, leaving Valerio for dead.

Sources say that following the heinous crime, Java apparently returned to the family home where he mourned the loss of his stepfather alongside grieving family members. At the time relatives struggled to make sense of the killing, initially believing it to be a random attack.

“The superb police work of the NY/NJ RFTF along with the joint effort of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania further demonstrates our commitment to excellence when it comes to tracking and apprehending fugitives. It is especially satisfying when we can bring closure to Marcelino Valerio’s family by bringing this fugitive back to NYC to face justice. I want to thank the men and women of the NY/NJ RFTF and the USMS in the Eastern District of PA for their dedicated coordination in executing this mission quickly and without incident,” Ralph Sozio, the U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement.

Java said nothing of his alleged crime when taken out of the 44th Precinct in handcuffs by detectives to face a judge. He is charged with murder, manslaughter, and criminal possession of a weapon.

Melvin Java, 46, was tracked down and arrested in Pennsylvania by the U.S. Marshals Service and the New York/New Jersey Regional Task Force for the Sept. 17 execution-style shooting of Marcelino Valerio, his own stepfather, authorities said. Photo Dean Moses

Velázquez announces $1.39M for upgrades to 3 East Bronx FDNY stations

Bronx City Council Member Marjorie Velázquez announced more than $1 million in capital funding Monday to support the FDNY in her district.

Velázquez — a Throggs Neck Democrat who represents the city’s 13th Council District — has spent time this past year discussing funding priorities with FDNY officials, according to her office. And at a press conference Monday, she announced she’d be allocating $1.39 million to the FDNY, which includes three stations in particular that are in need of repairs.

Pelham Garden’s Engine 97 station is set to receive $1.2 million for a new firehouse generator to ensure operations can continue in the event of severe weather — like last weekend’s storms and subsequent flooding — or other power issues. Engine 70, located in City Island, will use $125,000 for a new overhead door, and Morris Park’s EMS Station 20 will also receive $68,300 for a new door.

“Our emergency response partners are a crucial part of our communities and it is my mission to ensure they have the tools necessary to succeed and provide for the community,” Velázquez said. “This year’s funding will enhance the quality for Bronxites in emergency situations, from the firehouse to the communities our firefighters and EMS workers serve.”