Resolution calling upon the United States Congress and the President to provide a specific allocation of funding for video security systems at New York City Housing Authority developments.

Res. No. 67

Resolution calling upon the United States Congress and the President to provide a specific allocation of funding for video security systems at New York City Housing Authority developments.

By Council Members Vacca, Torres, Williams, Levine, Mendez and Rosenthal

                     Whereas, The New York City Housing Authority (“NYCHA”) is a public housing authority with 334 developments, 2,596 buildings, and 178,914 public housing units, making it the largest public housing provider in North America; and

                     Whereas, According to a 2012 report commissioned by former Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, New York State Senator Daniel Squadron, and New York State Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh, titled “Protecting NYCHA Communities,” crime statistics at NYCHA developments are rising faster than over-all citywide figures; and

                     Whereas, While the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) does not publish NYCHA crime statistics, according to a recent article published in the New York Daily News, crime in NYCHA developments jumped 7 percent in 2013 compared with the previous year; and

                     Whereas, Such crimes included 1,125 grand larcenies, 2,047 felony assaults, 138 rapes and 56 homicides; and

                     Whereas, NYCHA has stated that installing security cameras, known as Closed Circuit Television surveillance systems (“CCTVs”), deters crime and enhances the quality of life of residents; and

                     Whereas, In consultation with the NYPD and NYCHA residents, security cameras are currently placed to monitor key areas including building entrances, street corners and elevators; and

Whereas, Since 1997, NYCHA has installed thousands of CCTV cameras at hundreds of buildings; and

Whereas, NYCHA does not have the funding to install security cameras at all of its developments; and

Whereas, In 2013, NYCHA used City Council funds to install 3,879 CCTV cameras in 500 buildings at 84 developments; and 

Whereas, New York City continues to face significant budget deficits, and it may be difficult for Council Member capital allocations to continue to support such CCTV cameras; and

Whereas, Since the Public Housing Operating Fund, which provides funding for NYCHA's operation budget, is funded by Congressional allocations, Congress has a responsibility to provide funding for security measures at NYCHA developments, including CCTV cameras, since public housing residents benefit greatly from the decrease in crime that such cameras provide; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Congress and President of the United States to provide a specific allocation of funding for video security systems at New York City Housing Authority developments.

Res 423/2010

LS 230/2014

1/5/2017 11:25 AM