According to city statistics, violence in public housing projects jumped in many boroughs in 2010, with a 107% spike in murders in Bronx projects. But could there be more? The Daily News reports that elected officials have called a meeting with Housing Authority Chairman John Rhea to discuss the statistics. "We believe there is much more crime than has been revealed," said Harlem state Sen. Bill Perkins.
Perkins, State Sens. Jose Serrano and Adriano Espaillat and Assemblyman Robert Rodriquez all wrote a letter to Rhea earlier in the week. Unfortunately, residents say it's getting worse. Bettye Rolle of Audubon Apartments says thugs know the cops' surveillance schedule, and "after that, they run rampant. People are being terrorized. They're afraid to say anything because of retribution." It's unclear what those who called the emergency meeting look to accomplish, but Perkins has previously called for more surveillance cameras and more transparency. And if the NYPD was undercharging felonies to make themselves look good, they weren't doing a very good job.
