On June 8, 2016, representatives from
the Harlem Community Justice Center attended the action-packed annual
“NeighborhoodStat” meeting hosted at 1 Police Plaza, hosted by Elizabeth Glazer,
the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, and Amy Sananman,
Executive Director of the Mayor’s Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety (MAP).
MAP is a new collaborative effort to
reduce violence in public housing developments with high rates of violent crime.
MAP’s goals are to “reduce violent crime, reduce victimization, help residents
feel safer, and learn how to reduce crime in other neighborhoods and housing
developments citywide.” There are annual meetings to discuss the MAP
developments in each borough. This meeting focused on two particular
developments—the Stapleton development in Staten Island and Queensbridge
development in Queens.
After opening statements, the NYPD
officers from Stapleton’s neighborhood presented crime data and explained
strategies to decrease misbehavior and engage with the Stapleton community in
positive ways. Next the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) property
managers for Stapleton presented on quality-of-life improvement efforts at Stapleton,
explaining where the police were helpful and where they felt more attention was
necessary. Finally, Stapleton RA President Ms. Geraldine Parker took the floor and
called for more cooperation between the MAP partners.
Ms. April Simpson, the Resident Association
President of Queensbridge development delivered a moving account of life in
Queensbridge. She praised the NYPD officers and NYCHA managers who work there,
but exclaimed that more needed to be done. She called for more police officers,
more attention to troublesome dogs on the property, and for access to jobs for Queensbridge
residents. She highlighted the progress made, but stressed that much remains to
be done to address violence and the quality-of-life concerns of residents.
“Help me, help me,” she pleaded to the room at the conclusion of her speech.
After the presentations each development
went to work in smaller groups with their local police, NYCHA representatives and
community based organizations. They discussed next steps and assignments.
This NeighborhoodStat meeting was a reassuring
example of how government officials and community partners can use data to
support effective collaborations that improve public safety.
By Talya Nevins, Harlem Community Justice Center Summer Intern/Princeton University Student
By Talya Nevins, Harlem Community Justice Center Summer Intern/Princeton University Student
