Dem rep calls out NYC's ongoing failure to tackle Bronx 'open air drug market' crisis
Share this @internewscast.com

On Wednesday, Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., expressed grave concerns about an “open-air drug market” in a business district in the Bronx, where both addicts and prostitutes are frequently observed. He criticized New York City for being a “bystander” to the chaos. 

For at least the past year, Torres has been trying to raise awareness of drug use and drug trafficking at The Hub in the South Bronx. 

“Despite my repeated pleas and multiple announcements of multi-agency operations—often launched with great fanfare—the City is no closer to solving the public health and safety crisis that has taken hold of the South Bronx’s Hub,” Torres wrote in a Wednesday letter to Mayor Eric Adams.

Rep. Ritchie Torres

Rep. Ritchie Torres, a Democrat from New York, delivers remarks during a hearing by the House Financial Services Committee examining the FTX collapse in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“The Department of Transportation has effectively lost control of Roberto Clemente Plaza, which has become a nightmare for quality of life, public health and public safety – delivering no benefit to residents,” Torres said. 

Fox News Digital has reached out to the mayor’s office. 

“The Adams administration agrees that the decades-long issues plaguing ‘The Hub’ in the Bronx are unacceptable, which is why we brought our ‘Community Link’ model to the neighborhood — a multi-agency operation of surged resources to address substance abuse, mental health, homeless outreach, sanitation, and other quality-of-life issues that prevent this part of the South Bronx from reaching its full potential,” an Adams spokesperson told the New York Post. 

The business district has been plagued with quality of life issues for some time. In 2021, business leaders sent then-Mayor Bill de Blasio a letter demanding he do more to address rising crime in the area. 

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Smoke plumes rising from a bombed-out city.

Hamas Agrees to Release 10 Hostages; Trump Optimistic About Potential Ceasefire Deal This Week

HAMAS has said it will release 10 hostages amid ongoing efforts to…
Former UFC champ, actor airlifted after race track crash near Kansas City: reports

Ex-UFC Champion and Actor Airlifted Following Race Track Accident Near Kansas City: Reports

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship champion and actor Randy Couture was airlifted to…
Massive haul of methamphetamine seized in one of Minnesota's 'largest meth busts' ever

Huge Methamphetamine Seizure Marks One of Minnesota’s Biggest Drug Busts

Two individuals were detained on Monday following the confiscation of nearly 900…
Mike Johnson steps up calls for fresh Russia sanctions to 'send Putin a message' after Trump ripped Russian's 'bulls---'

Mike Johnson Intensifies Push for New Russia Sanctions to ‘Warn Putin’ Following Trump’s Criticism of Russian Actions

House Speaker Mike Johnson joined the ranks of lawmakers on Wednesday pushing…
Alleged attempted kidnapper on New York City street throws 6-year-old as parents chase him down

Suspected Kidnapper in NYC Throws 6-Year-Old While Being Pursued by Parents

A man has been apprehended after attempting to abduct a 6-year-old boy…
Five helicopters needed to save injured solo climber on California's second-highest peak

Five Helicopters Deployed to Rescue Injured Solo Climber on California’s Second-Highest Peak

A complex high-altitude rescue operation, which included several agencies and five helicopters,…
Liverpool star Diogo Jota believed to be speeding before deadly crash in Spain, police investigation reveals

Liverpool’s Diogo Jota Allegedly Speeding Prior to Fatal Crash in Spain, Police Report Shows

Liverpool star Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away with his brother in…
Family in front of Hell's Kitchen restaurant in Las Vegas.

Father’s Heartfelt Final Words to Family After Heroic Act in Texas Floods

A father of two tragically died from blood loss after almost completely…
Vice Chair of La Raza Unida Arrested for Tire Spiking Border Patrol Vehicles in CA - Is CHIRLA Involved?

Vice Chair of La Raza Unida Arrested in California for Tire Spiking Border Patrol Vehicles – Investigating Potential CHIRLA Involvement

On Tuesday, Border Patrol agents apprehended four individuals accused of using makeshift…
Lawyer Maxime Tessier in court.

Attorney for Notorious Pedophile Who Abused Hundreds Found Dead Weeks Post-Trial

THE lawyer for a French surgeon dubbed one of country’s worst sex…
Three Zizians face trial together in Maryland amid sprawling federal investigation

Three Zizians Stand Trial in Maryland as Part of Extensive Federal Investigation

Three individuals from a violent, cult-like group, including their supposed leader, are…
Photo of Glen Godfrey holding a nail gun.

Family Unknowingly Drinks From Reservoir Contaminated by Missing Relative’s Decomposing Body for 6 Months

THE FAMILY of a missing man were drinking water from the same…