By Gabriel Rom
State Assemblywoman Margaret Markey (D-Maspeth) has announced a grant of $1 million that will be used for security upgrades at the Woodside Houses.
Markey made the announcement at a rally last week where she was joined by state Sen. Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst), members of Community Board 1 and Woodside residents.
“Safety and security are the most important basic needs for every family and resident of our city,” Markey said. “This $1 million grant will help ensure that security cameras are installed in every elevator, hallway, lobby and stairwell of this 20-building community.”
The allocations are part of the $42 million in New York state funding for the New York City Housing Authority crime-fighting enhancements recently announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The allocations include grants throughout the five boroughs to pay for security cameras, interior and exterior lighting and gunfire-detection technology, as well as other enhancements at NYCHA developments. The $42 million comes from a $100 million fund that the state promised to New York City earlier this year as part of the state budget.
Cuomo said in a release that NYPD data through this year shows an increase in shootings and robberies at NYCHA developments citywide. However, according to police data, crime in the Woodside housing project is down slightly from 2014.
“The brave officers of the NYPD have done great work in lowering crime to historic levels in New York City,” Cuomo said. “But many public housing residents are worried by the violence they’ve seen where they live. We have heard that concern and will be funding critical safety and security upgrades at NYCHA developments in the five boroughs. Every New Yorker deserves a safe place to call home.”
Randolph Holder, a NYPD officer killed Oct. 20 responding to a report of gang-related gunshots in Upper Manhattan, was assigned to the department’s Housing Bureau and worked out of Public Service Area 5.
“Residents in public housing have a right to feel safe and secure in their homes, and a security camera upgrade at this 22-acre housing complex will go a long way toward achieving this,” Peralta said at the rally. “This crime-fighting tool allows residents to be better protected.”
“Our NYPD and Housing Officers work hard to keep us safe around the clock,” Markey added. These security improvements will give residents a better sense of security and help our brave police officers better do their work.”
There is no word yet on when the work will be completed.
More than 400,000 New Yorkers live in public-housing apartments, most of which were built between 1942 and 1969.
A list of all the developments which will receive additional funding can be found here: https://www.gover
Reach reporter Gabriel Rom by e-mail at grom@
