Mayor Adams Announces Pilot Program to Improve Quality of Life in Persistently High-Crime Areas, Root out Causes of Systemic Violence and Disorder

December 9, 2024

Watch the video here at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRSnG4Yb96I

"Every Block Counts" Drives Multi-Agency Resources to Individual Residential Streets with Historically High Crime Levels

Pilot Program is Latest Initiative by Adams Administration to Increase Safety Through Inter-Agency Collaboration, End Gun Violence in New York City

New York – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Chauncey Parker today announced the launch of a comprehensive new pilot program to address historically high rates of violent crime and disorder on specific blocks all across New York City. "Every Block Counts" is a data-driven multi-agency initiative that focuses on blocks that have historically seen high levels of shooting incidents, crime, and quality-of-life issues. Chosen blocks are provided intensive support and resources in an effort to reduce crime and restore lasting safety and livability. The pilot program launched in October 2024, where multiple agencies are working together to create a safer, cleaner, more livable environment for residents based on each block's immediate needs.

"Every New Yorker deserves to live in a neighborhood that is safe, where the streets and sidewalks are clean and well-lit, where street signs are clear and easy to read, and where you are safe from gun violence and other crime – and have a good quality of life. 'Every Block Counts' is our latest initiative to do all that by increasing cooperation between city agencies and ensuring that our city works better for everyone," said Mayor Adams. "We came into office with a clear mission: to make New York a safer, more affordable city for every New Yorker, and we will not rest until we have accomplished that mission – block by block, street by street, with every agency giving their all for the people of New York City."

"Every neighborhood in New York City deserves to be safe, but true safety goes beyond reducing crime – it's about ensuring people feel safe in their homes, on their streets, and in their daily lives," said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Parker. "The 'Every Block Counts' partnership is a strategy that is laser-focused on a small number of blocks that have had to endure high levels of crime, particularly violent crime, and disorder for many years. Together, under the mayor's leadership, we are building multi-agency and community partnerships to transform the safety and quality of life on those blocks – permanently."

"The launch of our 'Every Block Counts' initiative is yet another step this administration is taking to ensure we're making New York safe for all of its residents. We continue to make strides in our efforts to not only respond – but lead with comprehensive, community-driven solutions that ensure no neighborhood is overlooked or underserved," said Chief of Staff Camille Joseph Varlack. "By fostering cross-agency collaboration and targeting areas of greatest need, 'Every Block Counts' exemplifies a precise, solutions-oriented approach to public safety. With initiatives like this, I am confident that we will not only respond to challenges but set the standard for what it means to be the safest big city in the nation."

The Every Block Counts pilot program directs resources to specific residential blocks in NYPD precincts with the highest number of violent crimes, in particular shooting incidents. Out of those precincts, the pilot program has focused on five blocks from each of the two precincts with the most shooting incidents over the past five years: the 46th Precinct in the Bronx and the 73rd Precinct in Brooklyn. Those are three blocks on Morris Avenue, Elm Place, and Walton Avenue in the 46th Precinct in the Bronx, and Bristol Street, Christopher Avenue, Dumont Avenue, Lott Avenue, and Mother Gaston Boulevard in the 73rd Precinct in Brooklyn.

The city is leveraging resources from multiple agencies to support these blocks, including but not limited to the NYPD, the Fire Department of the City of New York, the New York City Department of Buildings, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the New York City Housing Authority, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, the New York City Department of Sanitation, and the New York City Department of Transportation.

Since the beginning of the pilot program, Every Block Counts has already achieved tangible results. In the 73rd Precinct over the past 56 days, there has not been one shooting or a shots fired incident on one of these five blocks, compared to three shootings and shots fired incidents during the same period in 2023. Major crime has also decreased by 55 percent on these blocks. Likewise, there has not been one shooting or shots fired incident on the included blocks in the 46th Precinct, compared to four shootings and shots fired incidents in 2023.

Out of a list of 146 items identified by residents in partnership with city agencies that needed to be addressed on each block, to-date, the initiative has resolved 111 issues. These action items included repairing street and park signage, cleaning public spaces, removing graffiti, and repaving sidewalks.

The pilot program focuses on the resources and services needed to ensure continued safety and order in the area. In order to assess the program's effectiveness in reducing violence, an analysis of this block-by-block approach will be incorporated into the NYPD's CompStat system to track its success.

Each street included in the pilot program has a designated "Block CEO," a resident who volunteered to represent their neighbors as a liaison to city officials. The Block CEO provides regular status updates on progress and communicates ongoing concerns and suggestions from the community. In partnership with the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau, the Block CEO ensures residents remain informed and engaged, fostering a collaborative approach to addressing the unique needs of each block.

Every Block Counts is the latest initiative by Mayor Adams' administration to break down silos between government agencies and work toward a common goal of making New York City even safer and improving quality of life. In May 2023, the administration launched "Community Link," which directs multi-agency rapid responses to address complex and often chronic community complaints about quality-of-life issues. Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Parker, together with the NYPD, also leads the Gun Violence Strategies Partnership, a 30+ multi-agency law enforcement partnership focused on strengthening investigations and prosecutions of the most severe gun offenders who drive violence in New York City. Members of the team meet every weekday morning to review felony gun violence arrests from the previous 24 hours and share intelligence to ensure perpetrators are held accountable and New Yorkers are kept safe. The partnership has reviewed more than 670 cases year-to-date, resulting in bail or remand set on an average of 85 percent of individuals at arraignment.

Today's initiative also furthers Mayor Adams' goal to end gun violence in New York City. In his first month in office, in January 2022, Mayor Adams released the "Blueprint to End Gun Violence," which laid out his priorities to immediately address the crisis of guns on New York City streets. Pursuant to the blueprint, in March 2022, the NYPD launched its Neighborhood Safety Teams to focus on gun violence prevention in areas that account for a disproportionate amount of citywide shootings. As a result of these efforts, in Mayor Adams' first two years in office, New York City experienced double-digit decreases in homicides and shootings. Homicides and shooting incidents have continued to decrease, year-to-date, in 2024 compared to 2023. Since Mayor Adams took office, the NYPD has also taken more than 19,000 guns off the streets, with nearly 6,000 guns removed so far in 2024.

"The 'Every Block Counts' initiative is a vital step toward ensuring that every neighborhood receives the resources and support needed to protect the safety and well-being of our residents," said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. "For far too long, certain communities in the Bronx and across New York City have endured the consequences of violence and neglect. This initiative is focused on those neighborhoods most in need, providing targeted support to foster safer, healthier, and more resilient environments. Every resident deserves to feel safe in their own community, and through this data-driven approach, we are reaffirming our commitment to restoring safety, dignity, and opportunity for all. I want to thank Mayor Eric Adams, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Chauncey Parker, and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch for their leadership and dedication to public safety."

"The 'Every Block Counts' initiative will bring much-needed resources to neighborhoods in the Bronx that are often left behind and face the greatest quality-of-life and crime issues," said New York State Assemblymember Yudelka Tapia. "Our communities deserve focused attention and meaningful investments to address public safety and quality of life. By focusing on specific blocks, like those along Morris Avenue, we can create lasting improvements that benefit residents and enhance the overall well-being of these neighborhoods."

"Data is one of the most powerful tools to address public safety on our streets," said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar. "CompSTAT allowed us to make immense strides in reducing crime, elucidating hotspots and trends so we can efficiently allocate resources where they are needed. 'Every Block Counts' is the next chapter in data-driven policing, taking a laser focus to the blocks with high levels of shootings. Multiple agencies come together to bring all the resources needed to make these blocks safe, clean, and welcoming. Together, we are doing everything we can so that the Greatest City in the World is the Safest City in the World."

“Violence across NYC is uneven, while some parts of our city feel like havens, others continue to feel like war zones, including parts of my district,” said New York City Councilmember Pierina Sanchez. “With only 4 percent of NYC’s 120,000 blocks accounting for nearly all of the city’s shooting [according to an analysis by Gothamist], it is clear there’s more to do to make New Yorkers be and feel safe. While we do not agree on everything when it comes to public safety with the administration, I support this multi-agency, multi-lens response to violence that infuses of resources in the areas hurting the most, and look forward to further strengthening the collaboration. There’ve been too many shoot outs on this block in the last three years, including when I’ve been sitting at my desk, and pregnant. We need all tools geared toward the fight for their safety.”