By Bill Parry
The city has completed the installation of a $4 million lighting upgrade at the Ravenswood House in Astoria and major crimes are down since the project began last year, according to NYCHA officials.
The upgrade includes 626 new lighting fixtures installed on the facades of all 21 buildings as well as in doorways, parking lots, walkways and playgrounds, which have improved the quality of life and safety for more than 4,300 residents of the complex.
“The safety of my constituents is of utmost importance,” said City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside), who allocate $1 million for the effort. “Ravenswood residents have complained for years that dim and broken lights were making the community unsafe. The investment in this upgrade is already paying off — residents feel better walking at night and crimes have dropped considerably.”
No murders or shooting have occurred in the development so far this year, according to officials. Robbery is down 16.7 percent, larceny is down 14.3 percent and the rate of auto theft has declined a whopping 66.7 percent from a year ago, they said.
“NYCHzA remains squarely focused on creating safer communities across New York City, and this state-of-the-art exterior lighting will help brighten this development and help move us toward that goal,” NYCHA Chairwoman and CEO Shola Olatoye said. “The Ravenswood community can rest assured that we are investing in their futures and the next generation of public housing.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
