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Q&A
Council Member Bottcher questions NYCHA on DOI recommendations and security measures
1:24:54
·
4 min
Council Member Erik D. Bottcher questions NYCHA representatives about the implementation of Department of Investigations (DOI) recommendations, security measures in NYCHA developments, and the relationship between NYCHA and NYPD regarding security coverage. The discussion covers the progress on implementing DOI recommendations, security in RAD PACT programs, and the historical payment of $70 million annually from NYCHA to NYPD for additional security services.
- Only 56 out of 94 DOI recommendations since February 2022 have been implemented by NYCHA
- NYCHA previously paid NYPD $70 million annually for additional security services, which is no longer required
- Questions raised about potential reduction in NYPD presence in NYCHA developments since the cessation of payments
Erik D. Bottcher
1:24:54
Thank you, chair.
1:24:56
Earlier in today's hearing, the Department of Investigations testified about their recommendations to NYCHA, and they referred to the the 70 current and former NYCHA employees that were charged with bribery and extortion last year.
1:25:17
Department of Investigations referred to recommendations that they had made earlier before that, saying that if those recommendations had been implemented, then those indictments, that misconduct may not have happened.
1:25:38
Since 02/2022, the Department of Investigations has made 94 recommendations to NYCHA.
1:25:47
Fifty six have been implemented, according to their testimony today.
1:25:54
Could you explain why only 56 of the 94 recommendations since 02/2022 have been implemented, and what's the status of the outstanding recommendations?
Lauren Gray
1:26:09
Thank you for that question, council member.
1:26:12
I don't oversee the DOI, the 56.
1:26:17
I can tell you about the 12 related to this report that we're gonna most of which have already been implemented and we're going to implement over the next year.
1:26:32
Yeah.
1:26:33
We can we can we can, give you the information from the compliance department.
Erik D. Bottcher
1:26:37
Are there other recommendations that follow under your portfolio, recommendations relating to quality assurance, safety and technical programs that are outstanding from the Department of Investigations?
Kezilar Cornish
1:26:56
None.
Erik D. Bottcher
1:26:59
Can you speak to within the RAD PACT program, the ability of RAD PACT partners to hire paid NYPD security detail for NYCHA campuses?
Lauren Gray
1:27:15
Unfortunately, I don't oversee the RadPact portfolio, and I'm unable to answer that question today.
Erik D. Bottcher
1:27:20
So that's if it's a a RadPact portfolio, that's not under your purview at all?
1:27:28
No.
1:27:30
Is NYCHA able to hire paid security detail from PD.
UNKNOWN
1:27:46
Do you affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth before this committee and to respond honestly to council member questions.
Brian Honan
1:27:52
Yes, I do.
1:27:53
And, I'm Brian Honan, vice president of the governmental relations.
1:27:58
So council member, we do have paid security in terms of NYCHA hiring NYPD.
1:28:04
For many years, NYCHA paid NYPD seventy million dollars a year.
1:28:09
Right.
1:28:10
Under the de Blasio administration, money was, NYCHA was forgiven of that and we didn't have to pay anymore.
1:28:20
I think public housing residents shouldn't have to pay NYPD for services that you or I have provided in our developments.
1:28:28
I think that this should be a regular course of business.
1:28:32
I think security officers are very important in senior developments, but paying extra for NYPD service, I don't think that is a is something that, with limited funds, we should be expected to do.
Erik D. Bottcher
1:28:46
I agree.
1:28:47
And for many years, NYCHA was paying $70,000,000 a year to the NYPD for NYPD coverage.
1:28:55
And it was a good thing that they're no longer made to pay for the NYPD coverage.
1:29:04
Anecdotally, we hear about a lot less NYPD coverage since NYCHA hasn't been paying $70,000,000 a year.
1:29:18
Is that true?
1:29:20
And do you attribute that to the fact that NYCHA's not paying the NYPD?
Brian Honan
1:29:26
I think NYPD would be better, able to answer that question.
1:29:30
I, you know, I do know that that things have changed, but I don't know the cause of that.
UNKNOWN
1:29:36
You know?
Erik D. Bottcher
1:29:37
Has NYPD ever said to you that the fact that there's no longer a $70,000,000 annual payment, that that's resulted in less presence?
Brian Honan
1:29:49
No.
1:29:49
They have not.
Erik D. Bottcher
1:29:52
Thank