CM James, AM Camara Support Retention of NYPD Impact Zone CH-North

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
July 12, 2011

Contacts: Amyre Loomis at (718) 260-9191 - aloomis@council.nyc.gov, and
Odellia Lucius at (718) 771-3105 - luciuso@assembly.state.ny.us

JOINT STATEMENT BY ASSEMBLYMAN KARIM CAMARA AND COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES ABOUT RETAINING THE NYPD IMPACT ZONE IN CROWN HEIGHTS NORTH:

“For the past year Crown Heights North has benefited greatly from being designated a NYPD Impact Zone. The law enforcement officers of the 77th precinct that patrol the neighborhood have done a stellar job in monitoring crime activity. As a result, criminal acts have noticeably decreased. The Impact Zone initiative is to be credited in part for helping to make Crown Heights a safer place to live and work.

Recently, the City's Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) approved the creation of a new historic district in Brooklyn called the Crown Heights North II Historic District. Borders of the new district include Brooklyn Avenue to the east and Bergen Street to the north, Nostrand Avenue to the west and Eastern Parkway to the south. The new district is adjacent to the 472-building historic district that the LPC designated in 2007 as well. In light of these historic districts now in place, the presence of an NYPD Impact Zone is more important than ever.

Also, as violent activity seems to decrease during the summer, now is not the time to reduce the number of cops on-duty in the area. We fear that it will lead to an up-tick in negligent behavior. With schools out for summer and fewer opportunities for our youth, we are concerned that the loss of the Impact Zone will precipitate a sharp decline back to former dangerous conditions. Please join the Crow Hill Community Association, the 77th Precinct, and other community stakeholders in preserving the NYPD Impact Zone initiative to keep our streets thriving.”

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