Tenants at NYCHA's Patterson Houses say unwanted visitors using drugs near children is daily issue
While the plaza is now empty, people in the area say the barriers have created new problems.
Top Stories
A photo given to News 12 by residents of NYCHA's Patterson Houses shows what seems to be a group of four people sitting in the courtyard openly doing drugs.
Residents say the photo was taken around 2 p.m., and they had to chase the drug users out of the courtyard.
Residents say this has become a daily issue, ever since the barriers went up around Roberto Clemente Plaza.
It's been four weeks since barriers were put up around Roberto Clemente Plaza-in an effort to improve quality-of-life in the area.
While the plaza is now empty, people in the area say the barriers have created new problems.
Unwanted visitors using drugs, steps from where kids play at NYCHA's Patterson Houses.
News 12 spoke with the Third Avenue Bid, which acknowledges people moving out into the bordering streets of the HUB and says there is still more that needs to be done to address the drug use.
"I'm not surprised that, you know, that there's been some displacement. And I think that any community that is experiencing these issues should do what we did and advocate and really turn to their local trusted leaders...We really have to think about preventative measures, not just reactive measures to the drug overdose issue, because what I've largely seen is reactive," said Pedro Suarez, Third Avenue BID.
Residents told News 12 they are desperate for change, so kids can play without being exposed to drugs.
