NYC launches multi-agency taskforce to improve public safety on East 14th Street
1st Avenue and 14th Street. Photo by Eden, Janine and Jim on Wikimedia
New York City is launching a multi-agency initiative to crack down on crime and improve the quality of life along East 14th Street. Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday introduced the “14th Street Community Improvement Coalition,” a task force designed to address various public safety concerns along the East Village corridor, including illegal vending, theft, substance use, mental health crises, unlicensed cannabis shops, and more. To support these efforts, the NYPD will set up a $1 million mobile outpost on East 14th Street between First Avenue and Avenue A.
The community is served by the 9th and 13th police precincts. Overall major crime in the 9th precinct has decreased 29.1 percent this year, from 1,058 reported crimes in 2023 to 750 reported this year. In the 13th precinct, overall major crime has decreased 6.8 percent this year, from 1,016 reported crimes in 2023 to 947 this year, according to a press release.
However, while the data shows a significant drop in crime, recent incidents have been a cause of concern for community members. Notably, a triple stabbing that killed one and wounded two others in late June across from the Stuyvesant Town apartment complex, according to Gothamist.
The two precincts have already taken additional measures to improve public safety, including conducting weekly operations to address homeless encampments, vendors, and those in need of assistance; creating a dedicated NYPD footpost to maintain a visible presence along 14th Street’s commercial corridor; improving visibility with new lighting, improving serving of garbage bins, cleaning up graffiti, and more.
In recent weeks, multi-agency teams have surveyed the area to observe issues firsthand and engage with community members and business owners. They have also identified individuals who need services like housing or medical care and referred them to the appropriate city agency or service provider.
To establish direct communication between the community and law enforcement, the 9th and 13th precincts have created a WhatsApp chat with East 14th Street business owners. This platform allows for real-time responses to issues and offers a dedicated channel for addressing community concerns.
“When we came into office, we had a clear mission: protect public safety, rebuild our economy, and make our city more affordable and livable, and the ’14th Street Community Improvement Coalition’ precisely addresses these concerns – enhancing quality of life and making the East Village safer,” Adams said in a statement.
“Our administration does not and will not tolerate an atmosphere where anything goes. That’s why our multi-agency approach, working in partnership with local elected officials and community members, will keep our streets safe and our businesses thriving, and we are already seeing an impact – with crime dropping in both the 9th and 13th Police Precincts this year.”
The multi-agency effort is part of the Adams administration’s broader “Community Link” initiative, which brings together city departments and agencies with community and business leaders to tackle complex issues such as public safety and quality of life concerns.
Since it was established, Community Link has already responded to more than 800 complaints and conducted over 600 operations.
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