Get to Know NYCHA Leadership: Say Hello to Chief Nelson

Gerald Nelson joined NYCHA as Vice President for Public Safety on August 3. He began his career in 1973 as a patrolman in the then-NYCHA Housing Police Bureau and recently retired as Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Brooklyn North after more than 40 years of service with the NYPD.

In his role as Vice President for Public Safety, “Chief” Nelson is responsible for planning, organizing and directing all of NYCHA’s public safety services and activities. This includes ensuring the provision of general law enforcement, criminal investigation, fire suppression and prevention, rescue and emergency medical services, disaster responses, nuisance abatement, and code enforcement. With this broad mandate, Chief Nelson plays a vital role in leading Next- Generation NYCHA efforts to achieve safe communities for residents and employees.

The Office of Safety and Security and the Office of Emergency Preparedness report to the Vice President for Public Safety and are part of NYCHA’s newly formed public safety program.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in government and public administration from John Jay College and a master’s degree in public administration from Marist College.

Is there some culture shock in coming to NYCHA after a 40-year career in the NYPD, even though you began your career in NYCHA’s then-Housing Bureau as a patrolman?

Yes, even though I am back home in housing, the culture at NYPD is quasi-military. The reporting lines are strictly controlled through the chain of command. Here, there are other ways to get information to and from people, and to get their input, besides the formal hierarchy. That’s a big change and it can be helpful.

You’ve only been here about two weeks. What are your early impressions?

All the people on my team that I have met are dedicated professionals who really care about what they are doing.

There is so much that I thought I knew about housing from my early preparation but after being here, and at my first public hearing, I see there is a lot more to learn. This can be something like just knowing acronyms but also some issues, players and the different perspectives among NYCHA and its partners, and it takes a while to catch up with the nuances in the relationships. In some instances, I had looked at certain individuals or issues that affect us from a different position and I now understand them more fully, which I think can work as an advantage.

Your job responsibilities cover many different areas [see above]. How do you approach and assess all these different concerns?

You need to know how to motivate and inspire your key personnel, and give them the tools and resources they need. You also need to form partnerships with other organizations that work with you. No one can be an expert on everything. From my former career, I know many of the key players at the NYC Office of Emergency Management, New York Criminal Justice Agency, the NYPD, and other agencies that we will be working with to put a comprehensive public safety plan in place.

What are your early goals?

I came here with a 60-day plan of action that we will begin to look at seriously in September. Right now, I am reviewing my requested “wish lists” from my Directors of Safety and Security, and Emergency Preparedness; meeting with NYCHA executives and my counterparts at other agencies; introducing myself at resident meetings and Family Days at developments; and attending events such as the recent public hearing on the annual plan. All of this will give me a fuller idea of our issues, NYCHA teams, partners and concerns.

What from your NYPD career will be most helpful here?

I’ve spent 25 years in management positions, supervised over 6,000 employees, dealt with multi-cultural communities and had an open door policy with civilians, community leaders, and advocates. I plan to bring all my experiences to bear here at NYCHA.

This will be essential in working at NYCHA, with its partner organizations and, of course, with residents and employees to set and achieve common goals.