Congressman Criticizes City Officials Over Bronx Drug Market

US Congressman Richie Torres is expressing frustration with city officials for their inaction regarding the deteriorating condition of what he refers to as “Bronx Broadway.” This area has become notorious for its outdoor drug market, attracting addicts and sex workers.

“New York City continues to spiral out of control. It’s clear that the city hasn’t implemented a sustainable solution for this crisis,” Torres said in a statement released Wednesday about the South Bronx “Hub” commercial district.

According to Torres, the city’s approach has been ineffective, merely cycling through attempts to curb illegal activities instead of addressing the root issues. He described the city’s efforts as a mere “game of catch and release,” where the drug market keeps bouncing back stronger than before.

Torres highlighted that places like Roberto Clemente Plaza are “overwhelmed” by drug use and prostitution even during the day. This hub, managed by the Third Avenue Business Improvement District, is a crucial commercial area made up of over 300 storefronts and about 50 commercial properties.

Every year, it draws more than 3.3 million visitors. However, a report from last December revealed that the hub has turned into a troubling environment dominated by drugs.

“With a commercial vacancy rate of 15%, we can’t passively accept this free outdoor drug market that hampers business activity and deters visitors,” Torres stated in a letter to Mayor Eric Adams.

His report noted several alarming findings:

• Roberto Clemente Plaza has effectively become a waiting area for addicts linked with a nearby treatment facility.
• Emergency responders are called to the plaza multiple times a day, dealing with as many as 20 overdose cases weekly.
• The plaza’s design, particularly its permanent seating, has transformed it into a hotspot for drug trafficking and overdoses.
• Syringes litter the sidewalks, and those distributing them should be held accountable for clean-up efforts, Torres argued.
• Repeated encounters with habitual offenders are eroding community trust in law enforcement, he added.

“The Plaza needs a total reset and possibly a temporary closure,” remarked Pedros Arez, executive director of the Third Avenue Business Improvement District. “Drug dealers hardly have to put in any effort here. It’s a tragic situation for everyone, especially those attempting to overcome addiction.”

Torres urged the mayor to initiate a consistent, comprehensive campaign to revitalize the hub. He emphasized that despite numerous promises and prior initiatives, the city is still far from resolving the entrenched public health crisis. “New York City must showcase a renewed commitment to reclaiming the hub from drugs and returning it to the community,” he stated.

The mayor’s office responded, asserting awareness of the long-standing issues plaguing the Bronx hub. “The Adams administration recognizes these challenges as unacceptable, which is why we’ve implemented the ‘Community Link’ model aimed at addressing substance abuse, mental health, homelessness, and other quality-of-life concerns,” they said. They claimed to have responded to thousands of complaints, issued over 3,600 summonses, sheltered numerous homeless individuals, and removed over 730 syringes from the streets.

In the past, Torres has criticized Governor Kathy Hochul for not stepping in to tackle the drug crises. Concerns about this situation have been ongoing for years; in 2021, local merchants and business leaders appealed to then-Mayor de Blasio about the rampant drug dealing and crime in the area.

Last week, Torres announced his intention to seek reelection to represent the 15th congressional district, clarifying he would not run for governor.