By Madina Toure
Some buildings in the Pomonok Houses complex in Pomonok now have new security cameras.
The new system, financed with capital funding allocated by the offices of state Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Flushing) and Assemblyman Michael Simanowitz (D-Flushing), includes 30 exterior cameras across eight buildings at the complex, located at 67-10 Parsons Blvd. Equipment that will handle additional cameras was also installed.
“If someone is attacked outside, they will catch them,” Stavisky said. “They’ll have footage of any incidents that occur.”
Roughly $6 million in additional funding is needed to install exterior cameras, elevator cameras and interior cameras for the whole complex, which has 35 buildings.
The new cameras will only cover roughly 25 percent of the complex, Stavisky said.
“I hope that the housing authority will speed up the installation of additional cameras and provide funding,” she said.
Stavisky, Simanowitz and City Councilman Rory Lancman (D-Hillcrest) surveyed the newly installed cameras at Pomonok Houses last Thursday with Monica Corbett, president of the Pomonok Residents Association and officials from the New York City Housing Authority.
In 2009, Stavisky allocated $200,000 in capital funding for the cameras and then Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn (D-Flushing) allocated $500,000 in capital funding for the system.
“The money that I allocated in 2009 is just about coming in now,” Stavisky said. “Unfortunately, the Senate doesn’t move on these things quickly because of the partisan nature of the Senate.”
In 2011, then City Councilman James Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows) pledged $750,000 to deploy security cameras throughout the complex.
Simanowitz applauded the new cameras a step in the right direction, but noted that the remaining 27 buildings need cameras, too.
“With the installation of these security cameras, residents will get an extra layer of protection and feel a greater sense of safety,” Simanowitz said. “While this is a huge step, I am committed to seeing every building within Pomonok with these cameras.”
Lancman said this security upgrade for the residents of Pomonok Houses is long overdue.
“It’s great to see the residents of Pomonok Houses start to get the security upgrades they need,” Lancman said. “These cameras will reduce crime and make it easier to catch violent criminals going forward.”
Reach reporter Madina Toure by e-mail at mtour
