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August 9, 2023

Greetings, 

I hope you are enjoying a great summer.

On July 31, Mayor Adams, Governor Hochul and the New York City Gun Violence Prevention Task Force released "A Blueprint for Community Safety," a plan to address gun violence throughout the city, beginning with four precincts in the Bronx (and two in Brooklyn) that are experiencing the most shootings. It focuses on prevention and intervention strategies that use a public health and community development model to address the root causes of gun violence. These strategies encompass new and existing investments totaling over $485 million to offer early interventions for young people, increase employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, improve housing security, provide easier access to public benefits, bolster community institutions, foster connections to mental health services, and strengthen police-community relations. 

For too long, Bronx neighborhoods have been suffering from the destruction caused by gun violence. During July 4 weekend, there were 25 people shot across the borough including two young girls, and on July 12 at St. James Park, two young children were among four people shot. The Bronx is the borough of parks, and it is heartbreaking to see shootings at our greenspaces, where Bronxites go to escape during these sweltering days.

On July 6, I stood alongside the Bronx Borough President, the NYPD and community leaders to denounce these senseless shootings. I assure you that my Office will continue to work with the community and law enforcement partners to stem the violence, and offer services to victims of crime. 

On a happier note, I was glad to connect with many of you during National Night Out and Family Day events. It is always a pleasure to hear directly from you on what concerns you may have, to answer your questions, and to hear your words of support. Speaking to you fuels my energy and further motivates me to continue my work in keeping the people of the Bronx safe.



In service, 

Darcel D. Clark

Bronx District Attorney

On August 1, Bronx District Attorney Clark and her staff enjoyed participating in the 70th Annual  National Night Out. The event brings together NYPD and elected officials with the community to strengthen and promote safer neighborhoods. The streets were filled with fun games, face painting and even a rock climbing tower! Public safety is a shared responsibility and this event reminds everyone that we are all on the same team and in it together.

“On behalf of the 1.5 million people of the Bronx, I thank Governor Hochul, Mayor Adams, Attorney General Letitia James, elected officials and community members. Finally, an investment is going to happen in our borough for public safety," said District Attorney Clark. "Prevention is vital, and we’re going to put the investment in communities that need it most, so that the people can be safe. That’s what the people of the Bronx want us to do, and that’s what we’re supposed to do. I’m glad that we are finally recognizing that we can all get together and get this done. Everybody plays a role in public safety, and this is a great step towards a safer Bronx.” Watch the video from the press conference here.

On July 6, District Attorney Clark, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, NYPD and community organizers decried gun violence in the Bronx at Joyce Kilmer Park. Over the long holiday weekend, there were 25 people shot in the borough. DA Clark vowed to hold those responsible for the shootings accountable. Watch video of the press conference here. 

On July 14, District Attorney Clark announced the indictment of a Queens man for Attempted Murder and other charges for stabbing his ex-girlfriend and their nine-year-old daughter. The defendant, Terrence Colson, 38, also allegedly assaulted their 14-year-old daughter when the two girls came to their mother’s aid. The woman’s 6-year-old son watched as the defendant knifed his mother in the head. “When the victim’s six-year-old son came home, the defendant allegedly threatened everyone and continued to attack the mother,” said DA Clark. “We will get justice for this family and help the children through their traumatization.”

On July 12, District Attorney Clark announced that a Bronx father was indicted in the murder of his three-month-old daughter, and he and the baby’s mother were also indicted on charges of disposing of the child’s body in a desolate area near Yankee Stadium. According to the investigation the defendants were living in a homeless shelter with the infant at 1041 University Avenue. Damion Comager, 23, allegedly shook his three-month-old daughter, causing her death. Comager and Ivana Paolozzi, 20, then allegedly dressed the infant and placed her in a stroller, walked out of the shelter and went to a nearby wooded area, near 161st Street and the Major Deegan Expressway, and left the infant. Comager and Paolozzi were charged with Tampering with Physical Evidence, two counts of Concealment of a Human Corpse and second-degree Obstructing Governmental Administration. The defendants are due back in court on September 12, 2023.

On July 10, a Bronx mother and her daughter were sentenced to five years of Probation and 500 hours of Community Service for stealing approximately $760,000 from the sale of an elderly woman’s Soundview home. Maria Garcia, 75, of Seffner, Florida, and Mara Garcia, 39, of Doral, Florida pleaded guilty to third-degree Grand Larceny, and third-degree Criminal Tax Fraud on April 21, 2023. According to the investigation, the victim, who was 92 years old at the time,  unknowingly signed numerous documents and multiple powers of attorney enabling the defendants to access, control and open bank accounts and other financial instruments, unbeknownst to the victim.  The defendants used the money to pay credit card bills, a European vacation and refinance on a home. The victim has since passed away. The defendants were ordered to pay more than $680,000 to the deceased woman’s estate. “We must do more to educate our seniors about Power of Attorney scams, while stepping up to prosecute criminals who prey on our most vulnerable,” District Attorney Clark said.  

On July 10, a Bronx man was sentenced to 18 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of fatally stabbing his wife in front of their 9-year-old son in 2010. According to the investigation, Hector Ramirez, 42, stabbed his wife Ella Zamora in the chest with a knife in front of their 9-year-old son inside their Kingsbridge Heights home after the victim attempted to kick the defendant out of the apartment after an argument. Ramirez was found guilty of first-degree Manslaughter. The defendant had fled the state for several years and was apprehended in Las Vegas in 2022.

On July 15 and July 22, District Attorney Clark attended Family Days across the Bronx. At the Sedgwick Family Day, community members honored District Attorney Clark with a plaque to show appreciation for her service to the Bronx. At 1010 East 178th Street, she met with residents who worked tirelessly to ensure an awesome Family Day for kids on the block. DA Clark also connected with residents at the Eastchester Heights Family Day, sponsored by City Councilmember Kevin Riley, and at Eastchester Gardens. 

The Bronx District Attorney’s Office is one of the largest employers in the Bronx. We are committed to pursuing justice with integrity by providing services to victims of crime and prosecuting the accused fairly. Whether you join our legal or professional staff, you will be provided with training, mentorship and opportunities for professional development. The collegial and collaborative environment will provide you with not just a job, but a home for building a career in criminal justice. Check out the wide variety of opportunities– IT, interpreters, digital forensic examiner, and clerical staff–we have available.

Our Information Technology Bureau is looking for a Programmer. The person in this role will design, develop, and implement applications/websites to support in-house business processes. Other responsibilities include analyzing data to recommend improvements to existing systems and gathering and documenting system requirements, and follow Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) Agile/Waterfall methodologies to deliver code releases. If you, or someone you know, is interested, please apply here.