NYC NOW - Evening Roundup: Bronx Gang Indictments, NJ Cities Crack Down on Homelessness, and Liberty Dance Team Tryouts

Episode Date: April 18, 2025

City officials in the Bronx are charging 20 alleged gang members with 15 shootings spanning the last three years. In New Jersey, WNYC’s Mike Hayes reports on a new local law that criminalizes homelessness. Plus, WNYC’s Hannah Frishberg takes us inside tryouts for the Timeless Torches, the New York Liberty’s senior dance team.

Bronx gang indictments, a crackdown on homelessness in New Jersey and Liberty Dance Team tryouts. From WNYC, this is NYC now. I'm Sean Carlson. City officials say gun violence is on the rise in parts of the Bronx. WNIC's Brittany Crickstein reports on how police are responding to a recent spike in shootings. Officials say violent crime is declining citywide. But according to police commissioner Jessica Tisch, an alarming path. has emerged in Bronx precincts that include neighborhoods like Mott Haven, Mars Heights, East Tremont, and West Farms. In the past three weeks, we are seeing a concerning uptick in violent crime, specifically shootings and homicides across three precincts.

Tish says the shootings are mainly being driven by a gang called the Trinitarios. She says she's deploying dozens of additional officers to the affected areas. They will build on the 150 officers she already sent to Bronx commands in March. And in a separate case, New York City officials say 20 people are facing charges for a series of shootings that left one person dead and terrorize Bronx's neighborhoods over the past few years. Bronx District Attorney Darcell Clark says all of the defendants are members of the 800 YGs gang. She says they've been linked to 15 shootings around the West Farms neighborhood from 2021 to 2024. They allegedly threatened the lives of school children, shoppers, along with anyone who walk. down the street in daytime, violating the basic right to be safe. Up next, in one New Jersey town, even a charity restaurant run by John Bon Jovi is drawing heat,

and it's all part of a growing backlash against homelessness. That's after the break. Underreport finds homelessness in New Jersey is rising sharply, up 24% over the past year. That's more than double the national rate. And in response, some towns are cracking down, not by expanding services, but by criminalizing people who sleep outside. W&MIC's Mike Hayes report several towns have passed new laws aimed at limiting where unhoused people can be. In the past few months, at least four towns across New Jersey have passed local laws that say it's illegal to either sleep or camp in public. And if you're

found to be doing so, you can face a hefty fine up to around $2,000 or up to 90 days in jail. He says those laws gained momentum after a Supreme Court. decision last summer that gave local governments more legal cover. In the summer of 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a law in the town of Grants Pass, Oregon, little town in the southern part of the state, that said homeless people sleeping in public could face jail time or thousands of dollars in fines. And since that Oregon decision, towns in New Jersey have begun to follow suit and pass similar local laws. In Emerson, Hayes says a plan to open transitional housing for working families was blocked,

with pushback not just from officials, but from residents too. The board cited traffic and public safety concerns in its resolution rejecting that proposal, but several residents also came out and encouraged them to vote it down. And some of those comments, the residents said, if you allow a facility like this that houses homeless people to open in our community, it's going to drive up crime and the folks living here will also not be contributing to the tax base and they made remarks like this is going to turn our family town into a transient town. Even a charity effort by John Bon Jovi has been caught up in the debate.

His pay-what-you-can restaurant run out of a public library in Tom's River has drawn opposition from the local mayor. He said homeless people are being bust into the community to eat at this location. Hayes says the rising visibility of unhoused people may be fueling political pressure. The state's 24% jump in homelessness represents about 2400 more people. And that's roughly twice the national increase. At the state level, leaders are split. Governor Phil Murphy and some Democratic candidates have denounced local sleeping bans,

but others have defended them. Currently, there's proposed legislation for a homeless bill of rights in the New Jersey legislature. That bill hasn't started to move yet. And meanwhile, housing providers like Habitat for Humanity have told me that the root of the housing crisis in New Jersey lies in the lack of affordable housing. New Jersey remains one of the most expensive states in the country to live in, and many in the housing space just say it's not building fast enough to close that gap. That's WNYC's Mike Hayes. The New York Liberty play their home opener next month, but this week, the spotlight was on their dance squad. Double E.C's Hannah Frischberg reports from tryouts for the timeless torches.

Founded in 2005, the timeless torches are a co-ed group of dancers ages 40 and up. Last season's squad ranged an age from 42 to 87. After the Liberty's championship win in October, the response to an open call for timeless torches tryouts this Tuesday was immense. The day of the auditions, a line nearly wrapped the block in front of Barclays. Chrissy Along is the Liberty's Senior Director of Entertainment. Honestly, I cannot believe the amount of people that are here for this audition, but I think it's so special.

This is our 20th season and being champions, what less would we expect to have all these people come out here, so it was really exciting. The audition started off with a high-spirited warm-up that felt less like a competition and more like a dance party. 57-year-old Lisa Perez says the experience was well worth waiting in line for five hours. I feel so grateful just to be here to celebrate myself, Brooklyn, Liberty. I'm a season ticket holder.

I'm like, whether I make it or not, like, the experience alone of just being here. Reese Scott says she's thrilled just to have the opportunity to give being a timeless torch a go. I love the Tyler Torches. That line outside? Listen, we show up. Just before the actual competition started, the current team entered to enormous applause. They proceeded to re-audition for their roles alongside everyone else.

Hopeful Torches danced a classic 80s and 90s hits before learning a few basic steps from Coach Christy Tolbert. One two, three, four. Contenders then performs a brief choreography to a clip of a Nellie Furtado remake. Hours passed. Many were cut, yet kept dancing as they gathered their things. Many remained. The vibe stayed strong. The team's mascot, Ellie the Elephant, eventually sassayed up to the judging table,

fashionably late. She was among the seven judges picking the squad. After four hours, the judges had gotten it down to around 40 finalists and called it a night. Those selected will get a call in the coming. days. Despite four hours of rigorous cardio, many folks danced out of the building. That's WNYC's Hannah Frischberg. Before we go, it is playoff basketball time. The Knicks opened their first round series against the Pistons tomorrow night at the Garden. They're hoping for a deeper run after last year's second round exit. Tip off Saturday night at the garden is set for 6 o'clock. Thanks for listening.

I'm Sean Carlson, and this is NYC Now. Have a great weekend. We'll be back on Monday.