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Tag: bronx

  • NYC Ghetto Tours Stopped Due to Public Backlash

    Earlier this month, the New York Post published a story on a New York City tour company called Real Bronx Tours. One of the tours offered by the company took tourists on a trip through the poorer areas of the city, showing them housing projects, food banks, and dangerous parks. The so-called ghetto tours have now provoked a backlash from Bronx residents.

    Once word of the tour reached Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., he and New York City Council member Melissa Mark-Viverito sent the tour company a letter, stating that they are “sickened” by the borough’s “despicable” portrayal in the tours. The letter urged Real Bronx Tours to modify the way the tour is marketed and presented. From the letter:

    We are more than happy to welcome tours to our community that celebrate the rich culture and history of our neighborhoods, treat Bronx residents with dignity and encourage visits to our wonderful landmarks and beautiful parks. However, using the Bronx to sell a so-called “ghetto” experience to tourists is completely unacceptable and the highest insult to the communities we represent.

    Now, Real Bronx Tours has caved to public pressure, and will no longer offer the ghetto tours. The company’s website has now disappeared, though the company has not issued a statement.

    “I am happy to hear that Real Bronx Tours has decided to end its inaccurate and disrespectful tours of our beautiful borough,” said Diaz. “The Bronx has come a long way in the past few years, and we will not accept such a despicable and irresponsible depiction of our borough.”

    (Image courtesy Gryffindor/Wikimedia Commons)

  • NYPD Officer Charged in Shooting of Bronx Teenager

    An NYPD officer has been charged in the shooting on an unarmed teenager in the Bronx, according to the Associated Press. The incident, which involved two officers chansing the suspect in his own home, took place in February. The officer, who has been identified as Richard Haste, surrendered himself on Wednesday. His attorney, Stuart London, declined to comment on the case, though he did mention that his client was aware of the seriousness of the situation. He is expected to be charged with manslaughter.

    Ramarley Graham, the 18 year-old victim, was identified by an observation team as a suspect in street corner drug dealing. The team stated that Graham appeared to be armed, and relayed the information to other officers in the area. Before long, two plain clothes police officers wearing NYPD raid jackets arrived on the scene. Instead of complying with their demands, Graham responded by retreating into his apartment. After finding a back entrance to the building, officers proceeded to kick down the door and enter the teenager’s home.

    Officer Haste allegedly shot Graham once in his bathroom after an officer claimed he saw the kid pull a gun. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at an area hospital. A search of the apartment following the incident revealed that Graham wasn’t in possession of any firearms.

    According to News 12, Long Island, Haste has pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter.