Latest news with #CommunityLink
New York Post
30-05-2025
- New York Post
Mayor Adams expands key safety program to Central Park to crack down on aggressive pedicabs, illegal hawking
Mayor Eric Adams is expanding his multi-agency safety initiative to Central Park in a push to address quality-of-life concerns in the city's most iconic green space. The expansion of the administration's 'Community Link' program will bring in 20 city agencies and cultural institutions as part of a coordinated response to various issues, such as illegal vending, unlicensed pedicabs, excessive noise and park rule violations. 'Central Park is the backyard of New York City,' Adams said. 'Everyone — families, kids, joggers, cyclists, and tourists — must be safe and feel safe while enjoying this iconic space.' Mayor Adams announced the Community Link expansion Friday Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office The new initiative, dubbed the Central Park Conservancy Partnership, includes increased enforcement by the NYPD, Parks Enforcement Patrol and the Central Park Conservancy's new Ranger Corps. Adams said the extra effort will result in a safer and cleaner Central Park. The program expands on previous Community Link deployments in New York City's worst crime and drug-ridden neighborhoods like Midtown West and Roosevelt Avenue. A Community Link initiative has already been operating along the park's northern edge at 110th Street. The enforcement has resulted in over 1,000 summonses and 111 arrests since it began in April 2024. Year-to-date data showed a 50% drop in crime in the Central Park Precinct, including a 90% reduction in robberies and a nearly 29% decline in grand larcenies, according to the mayor's office. A cornerstone of the Central Park crackdown that Adams announced Friday is the newly launched Central Park Ranger Corps, which now patrols the park daily. Betsy Smith, president and CEO of the Central Park Conservancy, said it makes the park more 'welcoming and enjoyable.' 'Central Park is one of the most visited places in the country, with millions of visitors every year,' Smith said. 'This creates unique challenges in how we manage the use of shared space for the benefit of everyone.' Though they do not have enforcement authority, Rangers serve as visible guides and liaisons, responding to complaints, supporting first responders and addressing recurring issues like dogs off-leash, misuse of e-bikes and aggressive solicitation by pedicab or horse carriage drivers. The New York Pedicab Association will also partner with the interagency task force to rein in rogue pedicab drivers and educate terrorized park-goers of their rights and how to report violations. To support the stepped-up enforcement and further deter crime, the NYPD, Parks Department and Department of Transportation are also repairing lighting and installing security cameras. 'We are working to make the park more welcoming and enjoyable for everyone,' Smith said.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Yahoo
Bronx's drug-addled ‘The Hub' will see new quality-of-life crackdown, NYC Mayor Eric Adams says
The 'Broadway of the Bronx' — infamous for its open drug use and squalor — will see a new surge of city resources to crack down on quality-of-life problems, Mayor Eric Adams announced Thursday. Adams said his multi-agency 'Community Link' program will descend on the commercial area between Melrose and Mott Haven, known as 'The Hub.' 'Adding the Hub to this network will address the complex, chronic complaints and improve public safety in the Hunts Point, Mott Haven neighborhoods of the Bronx,' Adams said. Exact details on how the Community Link would work in The Hub weren't given during the embattled mayor's announcement, which his staff cut short after reporters asked questions about Gov. Kathy Hochul potentially curtailing his powers. A news release indicated The Hub would join other 'hot spot' communities such as the prostitute-filled Roosevelt Avenue and mentally ill haven Midtown West. The Community Link program has flooded those areas with substance abuse, mental health and homeless outreach, as well as sanitation other quality-of-life efforts. The ceaseless squalor in The Hub — and long-standing city promises to clean it up — was revealed in a Post exposé in January. The Post spent several days there and watched two addicts suffer apparent overdoses and dozens more nod off after openly shooting dope. After the exposé, dealers continued peddling their wares and junkies injected opioids with impunity — and without any increased NYPD presence. Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson said the Community Link initiative — which brings together 20 different city agencies, including the NYPD, health department and sanitation — acknowledges the 'multiple layers' needed to fix the problems. 'Quality of life, sanitation, beautification, activating our open spaces, addressing the saturation of many of our social service programs, making sure that clients that are living with addiction and substance abuse have real holistic approaches to drug treatment and harm reduction programs,' she said.
