Rep. Torres calls for end to ‘open-air drug markets’ in The Hub; blasts city and state approach
In a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams, Torres said they “would never tolerate” the sale and use of drugs outside the governor’s mansion or Gracie Mansion.
Rep. Ritchie Torres called on the city and state to end the “open-air drug market” in The Hub in the South Bronx.
In a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams, Torres said they “would never tolerate” the sale and use of drugs outside the governor ’s mansion or Gracie Mansion.
“Why should the people of the South Bronx be forced to see drug addicts injecting themselves with fentanyl in the presence of their children – all in broad daylight? The People of the Bronx are entitled to the same standard of public safety and quality of life as everyone else.”
He asked for a long-term solution and “permanent removal of the open-air drug market.”
Torres wants a similar effort the city made on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens to be made on Third Avenue.
The governor's office responded to News 12's call for a comment:
"We’re not taking public safety advice from a politician who supported defunding $1 billion from the NYPD and voted to decriminalize public urination. Governor Hochul is committed to public safety which is why she fought to change the bail laws to give judges more discretion and crack down on repeat offenders, and will introduce legislation this year to fix involuntary commitment."
