Page 19 - The Indian EYE 030725

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline FEBRUARY 28, 2025 | The Indian Eye 19

Mayor Adams, Da Bragg Announce New

Community Coalition to Enhance Quality of Life,

Improve Safety Near Washington Square Park

OUR BUREAU
NEW YORK, NY
ew York City Mayor Eric Ad-
ams and Manhattan District
NAttorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr.
have announced the launch of the
“Village Interagency Task Force,”
a new multi-agency quality-of-life
improvement hub that will bring to-
gether law enforcement, elected of-
ficials, and community and business
leaders to address public safety and
quality-of-life issues in the Greenwich
Village and West Village neighbor-
hoods near Washington Square Park.
The new task force is being launched
as part of the Adams administration’s
“Community Link” initiative – a col-
laborative, multi-agency response to
chronic problems across the five bor-
oughs.
“New Yorkers have a right to
public order, safer streets, and clean-
er parks, and this administration has
fought for that right since day one, that’s exactly what this partnership small business community is also Members of the task force will work
including in the Village,” said May- represents — everyone coming to- feeling the effects of lawlessness and to address a range of issues, includ-
or Adams. “Our ‘Community Link’ gether with a shared commitment to criminal activity in their stores, with ing the use and sales of controlled
program has already made transfor- making the Village safer and stron- rampant theft and staff harassment. substances, retail theft, necessary
mative improvements in neighbor- ger,” said Deputy Mayor for Public They are eager for real solutions. The infrastructure upgrades, the mental
hoods around New York City, and the Safety Chauncey Parker. “We are formation of the ‘Village Interagency health crisis, prohibited behavior in
new ‘Village Interagency Task Force’ now all at one table, looking at the Task Force’ is a crucial step toward parks, and more. The coalition will
will, once again, bring together law same map at the same time, and tak- restoring public safety, cleanliness, meet twice each month to coordinate
enforcement, elected officials, and ing concrete steps together to address confidence, and vibrancy of our com- direct responses to these concerns
community and business leaders to the community’s concerns in the most munity. We’re already noticing some and will deploy teams to conduct
effectively address public safety and strategic and effective way possible. I important changes and look forward walkthroughs to observe issues in real
quality-of-life issues in Greenwich Vil- want to thank our project manager, to continued progress.” time and speak with local community
lage and the surrounding area. We will Jessica Cruz, for her leadership on In May 2024, the city first began members on the ground. Since Janu-
continue to work to keep this neigh- this initiative, and thank you to all of coordinating and delivering services ary 1, 2025, overall major crime in the
borhood the dynamic and welcoming our partners who have rolled up their in Washington Square Park to address 6th Precinct is down 23 percent, led by
destination it deserves to be as we im- sleeves to deliver real, lasting results the persistent public drug use, home- double digit declines in robbery, fel-
prove safety and quality of life across for this neighborhood.” lessness, and quality-of-life concerns ony assault, burglary, grand larceny,
the five boroughs.” “We deeply appreciate Mayor in the area. In October 2024, Mayor and grand larceny auto.
“Public safety and communi- Adams and District Attorney Bragg Adams, the NYPD’s 6th Precinct, and “The NYPD is focused on ad-
ty wellbeing takes all of us working for taking decisive action to address local community members engaged in dressing quality-of-life issues because
hand-in-hand: law enforcement, city the substance-use, quality-of-life, a walking tour of Greenwich Village, they contribute to the sense of dis-
agencies, and community leaders,” and mental-health crisis that we and including Washington Square Park order that make New Yorkers feel
said Manhattan DA Bragg. “That many other New York City neighbor- and nearby streets, to examine con- unsafe,” said NYPD Commissioner
is the vision of our interdisciplinary hoods are experiencing,” said Scott ditions, which has continued to be a Jessica S. Tisch. “But we understand
hubs, which are improving the quality Hobbs, co-chair, Village Interagency focus of the NYPD and all agencies that enforcement is only part of the
of life for the New Yorkers we serve. I Task Force, and executive director, operating in Community Link. solution — we need the expertise of
am proud to help bring this vision to Village Alliance; Brian Maloney, co- The task force’s initial area of city agencies and community leaders
the Village with the new ‘Village In- chair, Village Interagency Task Force, focus will be an expanded area from to tackle these issues from every an-
teragency Task Force.’ I thank our city and president, Village Neighborhood West 3rd Street through West 9th gle. The Community Link initiative
partners as well as the hub’s dedicated Action Group; and Vanessa Warren, Street between Washington Square has been an effective program in areas
co-chairs for their collaboration and co-chair, Village Interagency Task Park and 6th Avenue, including the across the city, and now, will help us
hard work.” Force, and president, Washington area surrounding the West 4th Wash- make Greenwich Village look and feel
“They say it takes a village, and Place Block Association. “Our vibrant ington Square Park subway station. safer for all.”

www.TheIndianEYE.com