Residents at the Pomonok Houses have about 2 million reasons to feel safer.
Assemblyman Michael Simanowitz announced on Monday a $2 million award to go toward security upgrades in the Flushing housing complex.
“Pomonok is a diverse neighborhood of hard-working families that have deep roots in our community,” Simanowitz said. “Our residents should not have to live in fear for their well-being and safety.”
Simanowitz advocated for the funds due to resident concerns on gang- and drug-related violence in Pomonok Houses. There are 35 buildings and 4,200 residents in the residential complex, which stands on nearly 52 acres.
The allocation is being sourced from a recent state initiative that will direct a total of $41.6 million toward upgrades in 76 New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments, according to Simanowitz.
The funds are the latest in a continuing effort to increase security measures in the development.
In June, a new security system of 30 exterior cameras was installed across eight buildings in the complex. At the time, additional funding was still required to outfit the entire complex with exterior security cameras and to install cameras in the elevators and building interiors.
“It’s been a long uphill fight to secure more funding for upgraded security systems,” said Monica Corbett, president of Pomonok Resident Association. “The residents of Pomonok Houses are overwhelmed with joy for Assemblyman Simanowitz and our governor for allocating another $2 million as an investment into the lives of Pomonok residents.”
Information on the NYCHA website puts the total number of developments at 328 across five boroughs, making it the largest public housing authority in the United States.
