BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON HOSTS PRESS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCING $1.5 MILLION INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC SAFETY

$1.5 Million to fund ‘Clean Streets are Safe Streets’ initiative to combat illegal dumping

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Bronx, NY—On Tuesday, August 26th, at 10:00 a.m., Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson joined representatives from the NYPD, DSNY, NYC Parks, NYC DOT, the Sanitation Foundation, andASEZ WAO to host a press conference at Lou Gehrig Plaza to announce a $1.5 millioninvestment in public safety. This includes $1 million to the NYPD for enhanced surveillance, including the installation of new security cameras, and $500,000 to DSNY for security cameras as part of the Borough President’s ‘Clean Streets are Safe Streets’ initiative. These investments represent a critical step toward combating illegal dumping, enhancing public safety, and improving the quality of life for Bronx residents.

This announcement builds on the commitments Borough President Gibson outlined during her 2025 State of the Borough address, where she pledged to prioritize funding to combat illegal dumping. In FY25, the Bronx Borough President`s Office allocated resources for security cameras and a mobile command unit, and this year’s allocations expand on that foundation with additional targeted investments in public safety.

“Bedroom sets and mattresses belong in our homes, but they do not belong on our streets, in our parks, or in our playgrounds,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “Today, we are joining with our city agencies and community groups to send a clear message: if you dump on the Bronx, you will be held accountable. Our parks and sidewalks belong to all of us, and it’s up to each of us to help take care of them. When we respect and preserve our shared spaces, we are fostering community pride and making our neighborhoods safer. I want to thank the NYPD, DSNY, NYC Parks, NYC DOT, the Sanitation Foundation, and ASEZ WAO for their partnership on our ‘Clean Streets are Safe’ Streets initiative and commitment to improving our residents` quality of life.”

“I am pleased to be here with Borough President Vanessa Gibson to announce funding to help the Bronx be the pretty place it can and should be,” said Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark. “That means pristine parks and clean streets and sidewalks. It means the beauty of feeling safe. The bulk of the $1.5 million Borough President Gibson is allocating will go to the NYPD for cameras in high-crime spots. $500,000 will go to Sanitation, to install cameras to deter illegal dumping. Our residents should not have eyesores and potentially dangerous items ruining our environment. We hope the City will install these as soon as possible. We need help to stop illegal dumping, and to curb violence.”

During the press conference, the Borough President also highlighted ASEZ WAO and the Sanitation Foundation, two groups she collaborated with over the summer to host cleanups across the borough to promote community pride, environmental responsibility, and safer streets. These initiatives brought together youth volunteers and local residents to promote community engagement and involvement.

List of Attendees:

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark

Jessenia Aponte, Bronx Borough Commissioner, NYC Parks

Assistant Chief Benjamin Gurley, Patrol Borough Bronx, NYPD

Steven Bucolo, Assistant Chief, Bronx Borough, DSNY

Anthony Perez, Bronx Borough Commissioner, DOT

Victor Lozada, Regional Director, ASEZ WAO

Johari James, Community Engagement Manager, Sanitation Foundation

Michael Torres, 161st Street BID Representative

Mr. Leonardo J. Coello, District Manager, Bronx Community Board 4