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Q&A
Council member Brewer discusses NYCHA resident safety and PSA concerns
2:05:11
·
134 sec
Council Member Gale A. Brewer raises concerns about safety in NYCHA housing, emphasizing the need for more vertical patrols (also called interiors) to address issues like homelessness and drug use in hallways. NYPD officials, including Commissioner Jessica Tisch and Chief of Housing Charles McEvoy, respond to these concerns and discuss current efforts and challenges.
- Current vertical patrols average about 70,000 per year across all housing developments
- Officials acknowledge the need for increased patrols but cite staffing shortages as a challenge
- The mayor's plan to increase NYPD staffing to 35,000 officers is mentioned as a potential solution
Gale A. Brewer
2:05:11
In terms of, NYCHA, I'm a big believer in PSAs.
2:05:16
But the NYCHA residents, as you know, desperately need vertical, vertical, verticals.
2:05:21
And I just wanna know what, is there gonna be an increased focus on the NYCHA residents?
2:05:28
They love NYPD.
2:05:30
They, the doors are never gonna close.
2:05:32
I don't care what you do at NYCHA, those doors are never gonna close.
2:05:35
And so people go in and out.
2:05:37
You know the issues, but there's just not enough PSA folks there.
Jessica Tisch
2:05:40
So chief McEvoy is our new chief of housing, and he will answer that question.
Gale A. Brewer
2:05:44
Thank you.
Charles McEvoy
2:05:45
Hi.
2:05:45
Good afternoon.
2:05:46
So we still do verticals or as we also call them interiors roughly in all the housing developments.
2:05:52
And roughly, we average it's not just from the housing bureau, but all the other partners, patrol services bureau, roughly 70,000 a year.
Gale A. Brewer
2:06:00
Okay.
2:06:00
I mean, got that.
2:06:01
It just I have complaints all day long.
2:06:03
I probably know as much as anybody about NYCHA.
2:06:06
So it it has to be increased.
2:06:08
I don't know how to do it.
2:06:09
The homeless are sleeping there.
2:06:10
Your your friends are calm.
2:06:12
They smoke weed in the hallways.
2:06:14
They scare the living daylights, particularly out of the seniors.
Charles McEvoy
2:06:16
Yeah.
2:06:17
It is part of the housing
Gale A. Brewer
2:06:17
You've gotta have more verticals or interiors.
Charles McEvoy
2:06:20
It's part of our strategy to reduce crime and improve the quality
Gale A. Brewer
2:06:24
of life of the residents.
2:06:24
Verticals or interiors this year?
Michael Gerber
2:06:27
Definitely.
Gale A. Brewer
2:06:27
And how many more?
Jessica Tisch
2:06:28
Can't wait.
2:06:29
Hold on.
2:06:29
Council member, we I have every confidence that the chief is gonna ensure we have more verticals this year, but the real answer to this is addressing the uniform staffing shortfalls that we have even though I have prioritized in terms of officer allocation the numbered commands and the numbered squads, many of them, most of them are still down real numbers compared to five, six years ago.
2:07:00
And so hopefully, the mayor's plan to get us back up to a staffing of 35,000 office I'm
Gale A. Brewer
2:07:06
with you a hundred
Jessica Tisch
2:07:07
will make the big difference
Gale A. Brewer
2:07:08
I agree.
Jessica Tisch
2:07:08
In how many verticals we're doing.
Gale A. Brewer
2:07:10
No.
2:07:10
I agree.
2:07:10
I just want you to focus on That's all
Jessica Tisch
2:07:13
I'm saying.
2:07:13
Understood.
Gale A. Brewer
2:07:13
I because when I go to Rikers, I know all the inmates, detainees.
2:07:18
Hi, Gail.
2:07:18
Hi, Gail.
2:07:19
Hi, Gail.
2:07:19
Because I know NYCHA.
2:07:21
And so they need help.
2:07:22
NYCHA needs help.
Jessica Tisch
2:07:23
What I'm trying to say.