NYCHA ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF MAJOR CCTV, SECURITY UPGRADES AT 31 DEVELOPMENTS CITYWIDE-20100119

NYC Housing Authority


Press Release


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 19, 2016
CONTACT: Media@nycha.nyc.gov | (212)306-3322

NYCHA ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF MAJOR CCTV, SECURITY UPGRADES AT 31 DEVELOPMENTS CITYWIDE
Installation represents an investment of over $18M in city, state funding

BRONX, NEW YORK—Today, January 19, 2016, New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye announced the completion of major CCTV at 31 developments citywide, representing an investment of over $18M in joint city and state funding.

CCTV, or video security systems, have been integral in NYCHA and the NYPD’s efforts to identify suspects involved in criminal acts. Aside from CCTV, ongoing security upgrades will include allocation for layered-access control (LAC) — small, lightweight electronic nubs which, when tapped against an electronic reader, provide building entry access to residents. The LAC technology is linked to authorized public housing residents. The accompanying key-fob technology can also be deactivated when misplaced, and cannot be duplicated.

These comprehensive security upgrades will strengthen security throughout NYCHA developments and move the Authority closer to the Next Generation NYCHA goal of safe, clean, and connected communities.

“Integral to our role as landlords for over 600,000 public housing residents is our responsibility to provide the safest buildings possible,” said NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye. “NYCHA’s CCTV system has proven vital in many instances in identifying those involved in criminal acts, and our residents have been vocal in their desire to see the program expanded. We are proud to announce this significant expansion, as well as the ongoing growth of our modernized layered-access program.”

“Effective public safety requires the collaborative efforts of police, housing management and staff, and the residents themselves. NYCHA’s CCTV is a vital public safety and accountability tool that can assist our efforts to improve the quality of life at NYCHA developments,” said NYCHA Vice President for Public Safety Gerald Nelson.

Of the $18M investment, the city’s portion totals approximately $16.62M, and the state investment totals approximately $1.45M. Overall, there have been 988 new cameras installed citywide, as well as upgrades to 152 existing CCTV cameras.

“The City Council is committed to keeping New Yorkers in public housing safe,” said New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “We’re proud to support video security systems and on-going security upgrades in NYCHA developments across the City and look forward to continuing to work with the City, State and Federal government to make needed investments in our public housing infrastructure.”

“All New Yorkers deserve to feel safe at home,” said Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. “Video surveillance is an excellent method of deterring crime, and often provides crucial evidence in criminal investigations. My Office recently allocated more than $100 million in criminal forfeiture funding to enhance security at targeted New York City Housing Authority developments that are disproportionately affected by crime. I commend the City Council for making an important investment in public safety that will greatly benefit the City’s residents and community members.”

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