Contact: Colleen Roche/Curt Ritter (212) 788-2958
Marilyn Mode (212) 374-4227
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Police Commissioner Howard Safir today broke ground for a new 33rd Police Precinct in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan. Construction of the $14 million, 52,000 square-foot precinct is expected to be completed in June 2000 and is being managed by the City's Department of Design and Construction. The 33rd Police Precinct is currently housed in a temporary, pre-fab building located at 2120 Amsterdam Avenue.
"It's wonderful to be here today to break ground for a new station house that will benefit the police officers of this precinct and all of the residents of Washington Heights," said Mayor Giuliani. "Over the last four years, murder in the 33rd Precinct has dropped 80 percent and overall crime has fallen by more than 42 percent. This state-of-the-art building will improve the delivery of services and help make the crime reductions of the past four years permanent. It will also enable the Police Department and community to make even greater advances in assuring the safety of the residents of Washington Heights.
"When a block or a neighborhood is freed from the grip of the drug trade and quality of life issues are truly addressed, a tremendous spirit of optimism is generated, a spirit of optimism which has permeated the Washington Heights community," the Mayor continued. "I know that through the continued dedication of the officers and the cooperation and leadership of community members Washington Heights will continue to make progress. I want to congratulate the residents of Washington Heights, the men and women of the 33rd Precinct, Commissioner Safir and Commissioner Tormenta on this ground breaking as we all look forward to the day when the doors open to the community."
Over the past five years Washington Heights has been transformed by strengthened bonds between the Police Department and area residents and the City's unprecedented efforts to rid the streets of drugs. In Washington Heights the fight against drugs is taking place in concert with the Upper Manhattan anti-drug initiative, one of seven anti-drug initiatives in place throughout the City.
"Washington Heights has been the site of a remarkable transformation over the past five years, and this area in particular has seen improvements that many thought were impossible," said Police Commissioner Safir. "We knew that by working hand-in-hand with the law-abiding residents who make up the vast majority of this community, we could reduce crime and drive out the drug dealers. We have made a difference by working together and this neighborhood is only going to get better and safer. This new station house will stand as a symbol of the new Washington Heights - a place where children can play without fear, a place where only criminals need to be afraid."
The precinct is being built by the City by the Department of Design and Construction. DDC Commissioner Luis Tormenta, P.E., said, "This is one of our most important projects in a neighborhood that is experiencing a revitalization. The new 33rd Precinct has been designed to provide a positive work environment for police officers as well as a community resource for neighborhood residents."