Security Cameras Coming to Bronx Housing Developments

Last month, Evelyn Shapiro was found murdered at the Pelham Parkway Houses but there were no security cameras to identify a suspect. 

Councilman James Vacca is allocating $1.6 million for security cameras in Pelham Parkway and Throggs Neck housing developments. 

 

The New York City Housing Authority says it relies on money from elected officials since they can't afford to install cameras on their own. 

 

Councilman Vacca's also made a commitment to give $3 million over the next two years.

 

“There will not be a building that NYCHA owns in my district that will be without security cameras when I get finished doing what I'm doing.”

 

Vacca hopes the enhanced security will allow residents to feel safe again.

 

“I want to protect these people,” he says, “They should have the right not to be fearful, to have their neighbor in for coffee, and not to think their children can't play outside.”

 

Monique Johnson, President of the Resident Council at Throggs Neck is thankful for the camera installation. 

 

"It's been a long time coming. Last year, we had two homicides within our development and there's a lot of drug activity and a lot of gang activity," she says, "We're looking for the cameras to help decrease the crime rate in Throggs Neck Houses."

 

The cameras will be installed at both developments within the next year.