NYC has seen a rise in crime since COVID-19 lockdowns began, and Brooklyn is no exception. A NYPD statement said, “For the month of February 2022, New York City saw a 58.7% increase in overall index crime compared to February 2021. The men and women of the New York City Police Department are proactively addressing the deep-rooted causes of criminal behavior,” said NYC Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell.
North Brooklyn community leaders, elected official and law enforcement agencies, are working together to address the increase in street violence with a community approach. “In our experience just policing doesn’t permanently address the safety in our community; it requires the active participation from community leaders and the community in general to ensure our streets are safe,” said Rolando Guzman, Deputy Director of St. Nicks Alliance Community Preservation.
In March, St. Nicks Alliance called for, did outreach, facilitated, and hosted a meeting that brought leaders from community organizations and NYCHA tenant associations together with NYPD and elected officials. This strategy session was to develop a new approach where community leaders would identify methods and geographic areas with a high rate of violence and criminal activities in order to reclaim street safety. St. Nicks Alliance was very happy with the attendance at the meeting and that elected officials committed to bring funding resources to address this issue
The Greenline 