MAPping Progress
It’s safe to say that few people know more about community safety than Chief Gerald Nelson. Before assuming his role as NYCHA’s Vice President for Public Safety in 2015, he spent more than four decades with the NYPD, starting out as a patrol officer in Police Service Area 3 and rising through the ranks to become Chief of Brooklyn North. Chief Nelson spoke to NYCHANow about his department’s efforts to make NYCHA a safer place to live and work.
What progress have you seen since you came on board two years ago?
The Authority has made great strides in coordinating with our partners to identify and address issues that directly affect NYCHA residents and employees. For example, we formed a Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) – NYCHA staff, the NYPD, District Attorneys’ Offices, the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor, and residents work together to identify and alleviate issues that disrupt the quality of life for residents. And at the recent Safety Symposium, we demonstrated our ongoing collaboration and commitment to employee safety with our union colleagues.
What accomplishments are you most proud of?
There have been numerous special moments, from speaking to residents after the completion of state-of-the art security lighting and camera upgrades at our developments, to the progress we have witnessed at the Mayor’s Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety (MAP) developments in addressing crime and quality-of-life issues. But I am most proud of the engagement of our youth in addressing public safety issues: The appointment of our first resident youth advisor to the PSAC and the work of the Youth Leadership Councils are truly encouraging.
How has NYCHA become a safer place to work?
An obvious benefit of our crime and quality-of-life efforts is the creation of safe places for our employees. Also, we have seen an increase in communication among all levels of staff around safety and addressing unsafe conditions through our Safety Congress program, which has significantly improved the safety of our workplaces.
How have NYCHA developments become a safer place to live?
Through the investments made at the local and state level, we have been able to install CCTV, Layered Access Control, and LED lighting, which has contributed to the safety of our developments. However, the biggest impact has been made by our colleagues in law enforcement. Thus far this year, crime is down approximately 6 percent in NYCHA, and I am sure that the expansion of the Neighborhood Coordination Officers (NCO) program will continue to drive that number down.
What have you heard from employees about our safety initiatives?
Staff at MAP sites have shared how they appreciate the additional attention and focus of resources at their developments. Additionally, the improved lighting, new lobby doors, and intercoms give staff a sense of security.
What have you heard from residents?
At the MAP sites, residents are especially pleased to have the increased lighting and visibility at their developments. Residents have also voiced their satisfaction with the additional resources and communication that are available to them through the program.
How can NYCHA staff help foster safety?
I would ask them to identify safety and security concerns by contacting our Safety and Security Command Center (available 24 hours a day, seven days a week) at 212-306-8800.
Safety Snapshot:
- $226 million in security investments since 2014
- Over 13,000 cameras at NYCHA in total
- 15 developments are part of MAP
- Security lighting installation is complete at 12 sites (work has begun at the other 3)
- CCTV/Layered Access Control installation has begun at 12 sites
- 40 developments received 400 temporary lights as part of City’s safety study
