BACKGROUND
Morris Park is a neighborhood located in the Northeast section of the Bronx. The neighborhood is part of Community Board 11, which also includes the neighborhoods of Allerton, Bronx Park East, Indian Village, Morris Park, Olinville, Pelham Gardens, Pelham Parkway, Van Nest and Westchester Heights. The borough bears its name from John Albert Morris, a businessman who built the Morris Park Racecourse. It operated from 1890 until 1910. The area of Morris Park makes up 0.347 square miles.
POPULATION
There are approximately 10,277 inhabitants in Morris Park. What used to be a predominately Italian – American neighborhood, Morris Park has become a diverse area with a mix of races throughout. The number of African Americans, Hispanics, Asian, and people with two or more races have risen throughout the years. According to data obtained on City-Data.com the median household income in Morris Park in 2011 was $56,809. New York City’s average was $55, 246. (http://www.city-data.com/neighborhood/Morris-Park-Bronx-NY.html) The median rent paid in 2011 was $1,043. Approximately, 6.3 percent of Morris Park’s inhabitants were born outside of the United States.
EDUCATION
There are three public schools located in the Morris Park section of the Bronx. Public School 83 is located on Rhinelander Ave serves as an elementary and middle school, catering to children in kindergarten through to 8th grade. The current enrollment is 1,703. 58 percent of students met English standards and 79 percent of students met math standards. This was a point better than the average citywide. The other public school — Public School 108 — is located on Neil Ave. The brand new, Public School 357, also known as the Young Voices Academy, is located on Lydig Avenue and has a current enrollment of 95. They cater to children in kindergarten, 1st grade, and special education.
CRIME RATE
Crime in the area has decreased steadily in the past 24 years. Violent crimes such as murder and rape only occurred 17 times in the past year, 15 so far in 2014. The most frequent crime in the area is grand larceny having occurred 264 times during 2013 and 243 so far in 2014.
www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/downloads/pdf/crime_statistics/cs049pct.pdf
CONFLICTS
At their monthly board meeting, members have voiced their disapproval with the new mall that opened in the Bay Plaza Shopping area. One resident said, “Everybody builds something, but they don’t make any room for the traffic.” They would like to see signs that direct drivers towards the local highways.
http://citylodge.org/tags/ne
There have also been a high number of tires and rims being removed from cars. The captain of the 49th precinct, Captain Timothy McCormack has urged residents to call 911 and keep an eye out for any suspicious activity in the neighborhood. “I truly feel victimized when someone’s been in either my car or home,” said Captain McCormack.
http://www.bxtimes.com/stories/2014/19/19-tires-2014-05-08-bx_2014_19.html
