Today, the de Blasio administration announced a $210.5 million comprehensive, citywide plan to make our neighborhoods safer and reduce violent crime in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments, through more targeted law enforcement efforts, immediate physical improvements, aggressive community engagement and outreach efforts, and the expansion of work and education programs.
“It’s about time that we have a City administration that is paying attention to public housing. I applaud Mayor de Blasio for his efforts and hope that this is just the start of a long-term commitment to improving the City’s public housing stock,” said Assemblyman Michael Benedetto.
This long-term plan to reduce violent crime in our city’s neighborhoods and NYCHA developments will harness the resources of 10 city agencies, community groups, non-profits and public housing residents in a coordinated effort to reduce crime and build stronger families and communities.
Below are some other immediate reactions to Mayor de Blasio’s announcement:
“In response to the recent spike in violent crime at our public housing developments, Mayor de Blasio’s approach is a solid and comprehensive commitment to combating crime. By investing in both increased security at NYCHA facilities and in programs that take our kids off of the street while school is out, we are sending a message that crime will not be tolerated in our communities, on our streets, and in our homes. I commend Mayor de Blasio and our City Council for taking this critical step in protecting our children,” said Senator Jeffrey Klein.
“Today, we stood together to announce this new program, which will take the fight against crime directly to our NYCHA buildings. In partnership with Mayor de Blasio, Commissioner Bratton, my good friend Chief Carlos Gomez and the many elected officials, organizations and people all over the five boroughs who share a dream of a safer city, we will work together to make our public housing developments safer for the people who live within their walls,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
“I applaud Mayor de Blasio for his plan that will keep our NYCHA residents safer and improve their quality of life issues. Targeted law enforcement, along with common sense approaches such as additional lighting, installing security cameras, securing doors, repairing parks, and expanding programs for residents, will help drive crime rates down,” said Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj.
“I would like to thank Mayor Bill de Blasio for taking such a proactive approach to making our communities safer and more vibrant. I am hopeful that with the implementation of the Mayor’s new public safety plan, increased community involvement and the continued hard work by Police Commissioner Bratton and the NYPD, we will be able to better protect our communities and successfully reduce violence across the city,” said State Senator José M. Serrano.
“NYCHA developments are home to over 400,000 New Yorkers that deserve to live in a safe and healthy environment,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. “This innovative plan seeks to reduce violence and make our neighborhoods safer in the short term by implementing a compressive strategy that addresses immediate concerns, while, at the same time, laying the framework to address the root causes of violence through continuous community engagement and the expansion of work and education programs. I am grateful to Mayor de Blasio for working to make our public housing developments safer, and I am especially pleased that the Butler Houses in my district will have access to additional resources through this initiative to combat violence.”
“Though overall crime is down, we are seeing a rise in gun violence, and I applaud Mayor de Blasio for stepping up and taking action,” said Assemblyman Carl Heastie. “I am optimistic that this new initiative will help change our current course. This collaborative effort among law enforcement, City agencies and local communities is a strategy that empowers us to take ownership of the issue, our safety and our quality of life. We should all pledge to work hand-in-hand with the administration to make sure we put an end to the violence.”
No one has a greater interest in a community than the people who live there. Reducing crime is a community effort, and this innovative new program will engage residents living in and around public housing by empowering them to be a meaningful part of the solution. This initiative will also enhance security measures, increase social services for residents, and create new economic opportunities for teens and young adults living in these communities. I applaud Mayor de Blasio for taking a holistic approach to combatting crime,” said Congressman Eliot Engel. who grew up in the Eastchester Gardens Houses in Baychester as a child.
“Using creative approaches to enhance public safety for tens of thousands of public housing residents, the plan announced today by Mayor de Blasio will make a real difference in the quality of life for families throughout New York, and I want to thank him for this initiative,” said Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson, Chair of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee. “By investing in meeting the needs of domestic violence survivors, and increasing the number of positive activities to engage youth living in NYCHA, this comprehensive plan will yield positive results in the fight against gun violence.”
“This is a good day for New Yorkers who live in NYCHA housing. NYCHA housing is the cornerstone of our affordable housing program in New York City, and all families deserve to live in a safe and nurturing environment. I would like to thank Mayor de Blasio, Commissioner Bratton, and Director Glazer for creating a plan is comprehensive, will engage at the community level, and is far-sighted,” said City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito.
“I commend the Mayor for this important initiative, which will help make families and children in the Bronx safer,” said Congressman José E. Serrano. “By engaging with residents of public housing and the surrounding neighborhoods to identify problems, I believe that resources can be better targeted, and we can effectively reduce violent crime in the Bronx. Three of the developments chosen for this initiative are in my district, and I look forward to making them safer for all residents.”
“I’m glad to see the mayor is taking concrete steps toward improving the quality of life in our public housing communities,” said Congressman Joe Crowley. “For far too long, the problems that arise in NYCHA developments have not been given their due attention. This new initiative will not just reduce crime and make our city safer, but it will also foster a safer, more supportive and more welcoming environment in our public housing communities.”
“I wholeheartedly welcome and applaud Mayor de Blasio’s ambitious plans to make our communities a safer place to live and work. His initiative to reduce crime on our streets is the prudent addition to his comprehensive plan to build and preserve 200,000 affordable housing over the coming decade in our Great City, and I am committed to providing the Mayor my full support in Congress,” said Congressman Charles Rangel.
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