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<\/a>A SOUTHBOUND BX9 bus is seen pulling up at a bus-stop in the early hours of Sunday, June 28, 2026 on Broadway and 261st Street, across the street from Van Cortlandt Park in the North Riverdale section of The Bronx, where on Election Night, June 23, 2026, a 13-year-old girl had been raped after getting off a northbound Bx9 bus at the last stop before the bus makes a U-turn and starts to head southbound.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Photo by S\u00edle Moloney<\/p>\n
NYC Department of Parks & Recreation have provided an update on what actions have been taken to improve safety in the vicinity of Broadway and West 262nd Street in the North Riverdale section of The Bronx, following the rape of a 13-year-old girl on Election Night, June 23.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
As reported<\/a>, on Wednesday, July 1, police said pursuant to an ongoing investigation, a 36-year-old Yonkers man was arrested and has been charged with rape. He was named as Abundio Hernandez Cantu. The defendant, who, as reported<\/a>, is under supervised release, was in court for a brief appearance on July 28, according to the Bronx District Attorney\u2019s office. The case was adjourned to October for grand jury action, the DA\u2019s office representative said. Hernandez Cantu is presumed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law. For our previous complete coverage of this crime, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n As reported<\/a>, Katy Diaz-Espinal, a local resident, had previously raised concerns about security in the area, saying, \u201cI personally put in various 311 complaints, wrote to the councilmember [Eric Dinowitz C.D. 11] and the community board [Bronx Community Board 8] about that general area, 261 and Broadway, being unsafe, due to lack of lighting.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n She continued, \u201cThat bus stop is immediately next to the forest and I feared that what happened would happen to me, or one of my children. DOT [NYC Department of Transportation] does not allow more than one ticket being entered, and the Councilmember\u2019s office did nothing. The opening of [a] 150 [men\u2019s] shelter right across this very area is imminent and nobody is doing anything to ensure our children are safe.\u201d<\/p>\n Diaz-Espinal continued, \u201cThis is a tragedy that could have been avoided. Also, if that child was grabbed on the bus, where was the bus driver? So many people that could have intervened to avoid this. I am absolutely enraged by this.\u201d<\/p>\n She added in part, \u201cSince 2024, I\u2019ve been advocating for better lighting and security in that general area to no avail.\u201d Diaz-Espinal went on to say that she was advised by the councilmember\u2019s office in May to contact call 311 or to send an email to the DOT commissioner. \u201cWhat did we elect you for?\u201d she asked rhetorically. \u201cThat bus stop needs to be moved forward, new lighting needs to be installed.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Diaz-Espinal also alleged, \u201cNYPD is rarely seen doing any kind of patrol.\u201d She added, \u201cThe shelter is all but opened. The fact that a predator grabbed a child right off a bus. Where was the damn bus driver? Blood on all of their hands. That poor child. I cannot explain to you as a mother of two young girls really close in age how infuriating this is.\u201d<\/p>\n She continued, \u201cI was crying I was so mad because I told them: You are waiting for somebody to be dragged into the woods, and that is exactly what happened. Now, let\u2019s wait for what will happen when that shelter is open, because clearly these politicians don\u2019t care. This is a real life nightmare and I am mad.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Diaz-Espinal shared photos with Norwood News she took in 2024 which she said she had forwarded to the councilman and Bronx Community Board 8, along with an email where she had mentioned that the lights on the corner of 261st \/262nd Streets and Broadway had been broken for around three months. \u201cDOT was [contacted], but won\u2019t take further complaints on the matter,\u201d she alleged. \u201cAs indicated before, this is a safety issue for people coming off the bus or those who traverse the sidewalk on the north side of the street,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n Norwood News did see a working street light close to the northbound side bus-stop when we visited the area in June, but further south of it, it was very dark. Norwood News previously contacted the councilman, Bronx Community Board 8, the NYPD, DOT, City Hall, and the MTA for comment on our initial story. As reported<\/a>, the MTA referred us to the NYPD. The councilman posted the attached statement on June 30 on social media. We did not receive an immediate response from the others but will share any feedback we receive.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Ed Breen from Community Board 8 said the board had received a request for lighting in the area but that it was received after the board had already submitted all their requests, of which he said they are many on a regular basis, for more lighting in the district.<\/p>\n Van Cortlandt Park Alliance released the following statement on Monday, June 29, \u201cLast week, a girl was assaulted at the northwest corner of Van Cortlandt Park. That our beloved park was the site of such a horrific incident makes us sick with despair. Our hearts go out to the young victim and her family.\u201d<\/p>\n The statement continued, \u201cVCPA is working closely with NYC Parks and local elected officials to address much-needed safety improvements, including improved lighting and security cameras in the area.\u201d <\/p>\n Following a request from Diaz-Espinal for an update on the lighting and safety situation in the area, Norwood News followed up with NYC Parks to ask what the outcome was following the recent meeting with elected officials and other stakeholders. On Aug. 6, an NYC Parks representative responded saying, \u201cSafety is the number one priority for NYC Parks, and we take community concerns about Van Cortlandt Park seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Norwood News was informed that Parks Enforcement Patrol (PEP) officers conduct regular foot and mobile patrols throughout Van Cortlandt Park, with an additional mobile spot check during evening hours and that PEP is providing increased attention to the Broadway side of the park.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n We were also advised that Parks is also performing ongoing maintenance including trail upkeep, lighting checks, and general grounds care to help keep the park safe and welcoming for all visitors. Parks added that trees in the area were also recently pruned to improve sightlines and reduce hazards.<\/p>\n Parks further confirmed that in July, department representatives participated, along with several other city agencies, in the referenced meeting convened by the councilmember to discuss safety concerns in the area.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Year-to-date rapes were up 120% in the 50th Precinct as of June 21, where the rape occurred, compared to the same period last year, while other year-to-date sex crimes in the 50th Precinct were also up 180%, compared to the same period last year.<\/p>\n In the nearby 46th Precinct, year-to-date rapes as of June 21 were up 12.5% compared to the same timeframe in 2025, while year-to-date other sex crimes were up 24.3% compared to the same timeframe last year.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In April, as reported<\/a> a man was sought for the rape of a 50-year-old woman in Highbridge. In May, a man was sought for following a woman into an elevator in the Melrose section and\u00a0attempting to rape her.<\/a> Earlier the same year, a 25-year-old man was charged<\/a> following the rape of a 16-year-old girl in Fordham Manor.<\/p>\n As reported<\/a>, an 18-year-old male was recently arrested following the rape of a 17-year-old girl in the Throggs Neck section of The Bronx on June 14. The case was later dismissed and the filed sealed. In May, a man was sought for following a woman into an elevator in the Melrose section and attempting to rape her.<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n To report a sex crime to the NYPD, call 911 if you are in immediate danger. For non-emergencies, use the dedicated hotline for the Special Victims Division.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe Special Victims Unit\u2019s 24-hour hotline is staffed around the clock allowing individuals the ability to report sex crimes and be connected directly and immediately with the appropriate Special Victims Squad who will handle their report,\u201d an extract from the NYPD\u2019s website reads. \u201cTo make a report of a sex crime, call our 24-hour hotline at 646-610-7272<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0212-267-7273<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The extract continues, \u201cThe NYPD in conjunction with The New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault provides access to the resources and services survivors of sexual violence need in the Sexual Assault Survivor Resource Guide which can be found in every precinct, police service area, and transit district throughout New York City and can also be accessed here<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The District Attorney\u2019s office also urges anyone who is, or who believes someone they know is, the victim of a sex crime to call the Bronx District Attorney\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Contact numbers at the Bronx District Attorneys Office, including one for victims of sex crimes, are included below:<\/p>\n Department General Information Bias Hotline Child Abuse\/Sex Crimes Hotline Civilian Complaint Unit Community Engagement Unit Crime Victims Assistance Bureau Domestic Violence Elder Abuse Immigrant Affairs Unit Communications\/Public Information U-VISA Hotline Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD\u2019s Sex Crimes Hotline at 1-212-267-7273 or 646-610-7272, the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or, for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at\u00a0https:\/\/crimestoppers.nypdonline.org\/<\/a>, or on X @NYPDTips.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n All calls are strictly confidential.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/a>THE LAST NORTHBOUND bus-stop for the Bx9 on Broadway and 261st Street in the North Riverdale section of The Bronx is seen in the early hours of Sunday, June 28, 2026.
Photo by S\u00edle Moloney<\/p>\n<\/a>THE GENERAL LOCATION of the rape on Election Night, Tuesday, 6\/23\/26, of a 13-year-old girl at Broadway and 262nd Street, North Riverdale, The Bronx, as seen in early hours of Sunday, 6\/27\/26.\u00a0
Photo by S\u00edle Moloney<\/p>\n<\/a>A MEN\u2019S SHELTER that is due to open soon or may already be partially open is seen on Broadway at 262nd Street in the North Riverdale section of The Bronx in the early hours of Sunday, June 23, 2026, opposite Van Cortlandt Park.\u00a0\u00a0
Photo by S\u00edle Moloney<\/p>\n<\/a>STATEMENT RELEASED BY Councilman Eric Dinowitz (C.D. 11) on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, regarding the rape of a 13-year-old girl in North Riverdale on Election Night, June 23, 2026.
Source: Councilman Eric Dinowitz (C.D. 11)<\/p>\n
\nPhone #<\/p>\n
\n718-590-2000<\/p>\n
\n718-590-BIAS (2427)<\/p>\n
\n718-838-7344<\/p>\n
\n718-590-2300<\/p>\n
\n718-590-2272<\/p>\n
\n718-590-2115<\/p>\n
\n718-838-6688<\/p>\n
\n718 590-2260<\/p>\n
\n844-590-SCAM (7226)<\/p>\n
\n718-590-2234<\/p>\n
\n718-590-VISA (8472)\u201d<\/p>\n
\n
\n
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