New Village Interagency Task Force Making A Big Impact On Public Safety And Quality Of Life

The Washington Square Association has been advocating for a collaborative, holistic approach to the public safety and quality-of-life concerns of the neighborhood for years and we’re delighted to share that your voices, and voices from across our area, have been heard. In late-October of 2024, the WSA joined a meeting initiated by the 6th Precinct Community Council leadership for Mayor Adams and District Attorney Alvin Bragg and small group of community leaders, city agencies, and elected officials, to discuss bringing a “Hub Model Program” previously piloted in Harlem and Midtown, to our neighborhood.


Thanks to years of sustained advocacy and reporting by residents, businesses, and local organizations, in January the Village Interagency Task Force (VITF) was launched, quickly establishing a strong, multi-agency focus on the Village which has led to tangible improvements in lighting, sanitation, safety, and social services. The Mayor, Deputy Mayors for all City agencies (Public Safety, DSNY, DOT, DOB, etc.), the District Attorney's Office, NYPD, and all special service providers (mental illness, unhoused, outreach programs etc.) and elected officials meet twice monthly to coordinate solutions and share progress. Co-chairs Vanessa Warren (Washington Place Block Association President), Scott Hobbs (Executive Director, Village Alliance), and Brian Maloney (President, Neighborhood Action Group) have done an impressive amount already to improve our quality of life in our neighborhood and in the park.

VITF Progress Since February:

  • Public Safety & Quality of Life

    • Increased NYPD presence in hotspots like the 6th Avenue Corridor, Waverly Place, and the West 4th Street subway station.

    • Uptown platform newsstand is being reallocated as an NYPD mini-station for police presence

    • Record number of arrests and rapid graffiti removal, often within an hour of complaint.

    • Increased and ongoing focus on addressing drug activity, emotionally disturbed persons (EDPs), homelessness, encampments, and unsanitary conditions (defecation, used needles).

    • Advocacy for a dedicated 311 reporting category for drug activity/use.

  • Infrastructure & Cleanliness

    • More than 100 new, brighter lights installed at the West 4th Street subway station; stairways cleaned and painted.

    • New lighting and pylons at Waverly Place & 6th Avenue, reducing loitering and drug activity.

    • Evaluation and planning for improved lighting at the West 3rd Street subway entrance.

    • Plans to convert the former newsstand at West 3rd into a community-serving business to deter drug use.

    • Addressing chronic issues at scaffolding sites that attract unhealthy conditions.

  • Social Services & Outreach

    • Targeted outreach to EDPs and the unhoused in the “Red Zone,” alerting social service leaders and activating services quickly.

    • 15+ individuals identified for support; 4 placed in shelters through coordinated DHS and VITF efforts.

    • Building a network of service providers to address public drug use and its impact on residents and businesses.

  • Business Support

    • Regular engagement with businesses to address theft, menacing behavior, and other persistent problems.

    • NYPD, DA’s office, and Village Alliance developing strategies to help businesses respond to habitual offenders.

    • Advocacy & Reform

    • Strong advocacy for targeted amendments to New York’s discovery laws to reduce case dismissals and improve public safety, supporting Governor Hochul’s proposed reforms.

  • Community Engagement

    • Ongoing encouragement for residents and businesses to report issues via 311/911 and the NAG Network.

    • Participation in press briefings and leveraging the Community Council’s Quality of Life Survey to raise awareness.


What You Can Do Now

  • 311 and 911 complaints matter more than ever now. We are advocating for open drug use as a ticket category.

  • Demand staffing for the NYPD 6th precinct from your council members, the Mayor’s Office and the Narcotics division.

  • Vote for candidates who have strong positions on public safety and support increased social services.  The local primary is June 24th. 



Trevor SumnerComment