Cameras Will Be Strategically Placed in Lobbies, Elevators and Entrances To Reduce Crime and Improve Quality of Life for Residents—Both Building Complexes Are in One of the Highest Crime Areas in Brooklyn

Markowitz Enlisted Schumer’s Support for the Project; Senator’s Funding Brings Total to $3.4 Million — Adding to Total Contribution Supported by Markowitz

Markowitz, Schumer: Ensuring the Safety of the Residents of the Brownsville and Tilden Houses Is Priority Number One

Today, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that $400,000 was included in the Senate Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations bill for the Brownsville and Tilden Houses in order to install closed circuit television cameras (CCTV) in and around the developments. Borough President Markowitz, who enlisted the Senator’s support for the project, also committed $2 million for the installation of these CCTV’s, $1 million for Tilden and $1 million to Brownsville. New York City Council Member Darlene Mealy secured an additional $1 million. The goal of Markowitz and Schumer is to reduce crime and improve the quality of life for the residents of the buildings. The cameras will be strategically placed in targeted areas that are prone to criminal activity such as building lobbies, including mailboxes and elevators, interior elevator cabs, and building entrances, exits, and the outside perimeters of the building, including seating areas, play grounds and parking lots in order to reduce crime and improve the quality of life for residents.

“I am thrilled that Senator Schumer and I can deliver for the residents of the Tilden and Brownsville Houses,” said Borough President Markowitz. “With these surveillance cameras, we are saying that the eyes of society will not be averted—and justice will not be averted. These ‘electronic eyes’ will be ‘open’ 24/7, 365 days a year. Anyone who thinks it’s okay to threaten residents, to assault them, to rob them, or to make them feel unsafe by conducting illegal activities in their stairwells and vestibules is now on notice: the police see you—and they will find you.”

“There is nothing more important than the safety and security of the residents living in public housing,” Schumer said. “By installing closed circuit television cameras, children, families, and the community will be made safer. The residents of the public housing deserve the best in crime prevention technology and these new security cameras will go a long way in providing the protection they need.”

“It is my pleasure to be part of this great endeavor for the great people of Brownsville, together with my esteemed colleagues, Senator Charles Schumer and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz,” said City Council Member Darlene Mealy. “This is what being an elected official is all about—serving the people to improve the everyday quality of life. These cameras, which will provide both a sense of security and safety, will also help in the reduction of crime in the 41st District.”

“The safety and well-being of our residents is of the highest priority to NYCHA and one of the best ways to ensure this is by having closed circuit television at our developments,” said NYCHA Chairman John B. Rhea. “These cameras deter crime, allow us to see what is taking place and who to look for if a crime occurs, as well as provide proof in court of what occurred. Senator Schumer, Borough President Markowitz and Council Member Mealy are to be congratulated for not only their generosity, but for their understanding of how working with the community makes it safer and a better place to live.”

“I sincerely thank Senator Schumer, Borough President Markowitz, Council Member Mealy and Jocko Jackson for putting the safety and quality of life of our residents first by supporting these cameras, which I am confident will deter crime and protect the Brownsville Houses and surrounding community,” said Laura Morgan, president, Brownsville Houses Tenants Association.

“The CCTV cameras will ensure quality of life for our residents and the community at large,” said Marie Boone, president, Tilden Houses Tenants Association. “They are a valuable tool to assist law enforcement while patrolling our development and the community. On behalf of the residents of Tilden Houses, we salute Borough President Markowitz, Senator Schumer, Council Member Mealy and everyone who made this possible.”

“We at Common Ground applaud BP Markowitz, Senator Schumer, and Councilwoman Mealy for their support for security cameras in Brownsville’s NYCHA buildings, particularly Tilden Houses and Brownsville Houses,” said Greg “Jocko” Jackson, executive director, Brownsville Partnership, an initiative of Common Ground. “We also applaud the tremendous commitment of Marie Boone, TA President, Tilden Houses; and Laura Morgan, TA President, Brownsville Houses. The Brownsville Partnership, Common Ground’s neighborhood-based community development initiative, is linking social investments with physical investments to create a sustainable and prosperous community. A critical component to this community development effort is ensuring that the neighborhood’s residents are safe. These cameras will go a long way to providing the safety and peace of mind that Brownsville residents deserve to live safe and productive lives. We are so very fortunate to have elected officials who recognize this and work diligently to find the funding to make it happen. The Brownsville Partnership will continue to work closely with Brownsville residents, elected officials, government agencies, and the NYPD to support our shared vision to build a strong, healthy, and safe community.”

According to Deputy Inspector Juanita Holmes, commanding officer of PSA 2, Brownsville has had 25 crimes so far this year, down from 49 in 2009. Shootings are up from three at this time in 2008 to five this year. Tilden has had 23 crimes in 2009 thus far. Shootings are down from four at this time last year to just one this year.  Both housing complexes are part of what’s called the “Impact Zone,” five housing complexes in all that have been targeted because of their high crime rates. Currently, 114 police officers patrol as part of the program.

For decades, both housing complexes, which are part of the 73rd precinct, have been plagued with violence. And although crime has decreased by 21 percent over the past 8 years, it is still dangerously high. So far in 2009, there have been three murders, two rapes, 40 robberies, and 21 burglaries in the 73rd precinct. In 2008, there were 31 murders, 29 rapes, 598 robberies, and 311 burglaries.

The violence in the area is not new. In 1988, NYPD Officer Anthony McLean was shot and killed while responding to a call inside 340 Dumont Avenue; on September 3, 2009, a man was shot, slashed and set on fire at 330 Dumont Avenue; and on April 19, 2009, a 43-year-old grandmother living at 360 Dumont Avenue was stabbed to death as she tried to break up a fight outside of her home. There have been two shootings at Brownsville as recently as August.