LA JARA WAY In Westchester Square

LA JARA WAY In Westchester Square

By Robert Press

There was a sea of blue at the corner of East Tremont Avenue and St. Raymonds Avenue in Westchester Square, as the corner was to be co-named for the Latin New York City Police band La Jara. La Jara is a band made up of NYPD officers who come from various Latin American countries. 

Captain Alexander Cedillo formed the band in 2013, and when he is not busy at work in the 63rd Precinct he is thinking of music. He said the band which is ten years old has members from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Peru, and Mexico. La Jara plays Salsa and Merengue, are all volunteers who play as a community service, and do not charge any fee for their performances.  

On hand for the street co-naming were NYPD First Deputy Commissioner Tania I. Kinsella, Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey, 45th Precinct Commanding officer Captain Johnny A. Orellana, Members of LA JARA and other police officers, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez, Westchester BID Executive Director Jasmin Cruz who was the emcee of the event, and others.

NYPD First Deputy Commissioner Tania I. Kinsella speaks about the LA JARA band and what it means to the NYPD.

Captain Cedillo of LA JARA holds a Certificate of Merit from Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson.

 

Captain Cedillo and Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez hold a second street sign La Jara Band Way that was given to the band. 

 

After the speeches it was time to uncover the new street sign La Jara Way.

 

It’s official, the corner of East Tremont Avenue and St. Raymonds Avenue is La Jara Way.