Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and Gov. Kathy Hochul visited Police Service Area 2 in Brooklyn on Tuesday to meet with officers and community members, hear residents’ concerns, and highlight what the NYPD says are record-low crime levels in public housing this year.
Tisch and Hochul greeted patrol officers at PSA 2 headquarters, located at 560 Sutter Ave., thanking them for their work before meeting with tenant association presidents to discuss safety issues in their communities.
According to the NYPD, major crime in public housing has dropped more than 6% since January, while murders are down 45%. Department statistics also show shootings in and around NYCHA developments have declined by 32%, while the number of shooting victims has fallen by 35%.
Tisch and Hochul greeted patrol officers at PSA 2 headquarters, located at 560 Sutter Ave.,Photo by Dean Moses 
According to the NYPD, major crime in public housing has dropped more than 6% since January, while murders are down 45%. Department statistics also show shootings in and around NYCHA developments have declined by 32%, while the number of shooting victims has fallen by 35%.Photo by Dean Moses
The police commissioner and governor met with some of their toughest critics on Aug. 18 — the residents who live in NYCHA developments. But rather than immediately voicing complaints, several tenant leaders praised the police presence and said they have seen noticeable improvements in public safety.
“We have them on speed dial,” said Anita Alston of Glenmore Plaza. “Every time I call, they fix my problems right away. They always answer my calls.”
Speaking with residents, Tisch said she has also been impressed by the significant decline in crime throughout the city’s public housing developments.
“I was looking during the car ride here. Robbery, burglary and car theft are all down like 33% so far this year, which is really unbelievable,” Tisch said.
According to the governor’s office, the improvements have been aided by a $150 million state investment over the past 18 months to expand NYPD resources. The funding supports approximately 5,000 hours of daily Enhanced Transit Safety Overtime and helps maintain the deployment of mobile field forces and an increased police presence on trains and subway platforms.
Hochul said the investment was prompted by the spike in crime during the COVID-19 pandemic, when violence surged in New York City and across the nation.
“When I first became governor five years ago next week, housing developments were living with fear. There were assaults and murders and shootings across the country, but we really felt it here in New York, the epicenter of the pandemic,” Hochul said.Photo by Dean Moses
“When I first became governor five years ago next week, housing developments were living with fear. There were assaults and murders and shootings across the country, but we really felt it here in New York, the epicenter of the pandemic,” Hochul said. “We had to step up. And I knew the state could do much more if I could help with more money. So we put money into helping our local policing.”
While many tenant association presidents expressed satisfaction with current policing efforts, others said quality-of-life issues remain unresolved.
“My thing is that you have people using drugs and sleeping in the hallways of the building,” said Lisa Kenner of the Van Dyke Houses. “Homeless people go in there. But NYCHA has to fix those broken doors.”
Tisch remained after the meeting to hear residents’ concerns firsthand, taking notes and promising to increase patrols if necessary. She also offered to co-sign a letter urging NYCHA to repair broken entrance doors.
“I’m hearing your feedback that the visible posts are nice, but you want to see more officers doing vertical patrols,” Tisch said. “If you want to write a letter, I am happy to sign it with you.”