'20 overdoses in the plaza in one week.' NYPD launches quality-of-life division to fight safety concerns
On Thursday, News 12 cameras captured first responders providing lifesaving help in Roberto Clemente Plaza.
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The NYPD has launched a quality-of-life division to fight safety concerns involving open drug use and homeless encampments in the South Bronx.
On Thursday, News 12 cameras captured first responders providing lifesaving help in Roberto Clemente Plaza.
"Ambulances were probably in that plaza at least two to three days in a row, sometimes with five ambulances in the plaza at one time," said Pedro Suarez, executive director of the Third Avenue Bid.
Suarez says people need medical attention because of overdoses in the plaza daily.
"Last week, at least five up to 20 overdoses in the plaza in one week," said Suarez.
To fight this a quality-of-life division of the NYPD is coming to the Port Morris, Melrose and Mott Haven section where public safety continues to be threatened.
In a press conference Thursday NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced the initiative.
"Over the past six years, calls to 311 centered on quality-of-life issues have nearly doubled…so we're putting together a plan to address illegal parking, abandoned vehicles, homeless encampments. Unreasonable noise, out-of-control scooters and e-bikes, open air drug markets and more," said Tisch.
Suarez says St. Mary's Park is a hub for quality-of-life concerns. There was a park cleanup just last week, where more drug use items were collected than regular park trash.
"Two to 300 syringes that we collected, if not more. And these are located by trees located in near and around playgrounds," said Suarez.
Suarez says this division is past due, and hopes it will help with the issues he sees in the community everyday.
"Police presence is necessary at this point in time when it comes to dealing and addressing those particular issues in real time and preventing them from, I think, escalating," said Suarez.
This division of the 40th Precinct will begin operations on Monday.
