Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 25, 2012
Contact: media@nycha.nyc.gov, (212) 306-3322

NYCHA, New York State Senator John Sampson, Assemblyman Alan Maisel Announce CCTV Camera Installation Complete at Bayview Houses

State lawmakers provide $350,000 in state capital funds for safety and security enhancements

New York State Senator John Sampson, Assembly Member Alan Maisel, New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Chairman John B. Rhea, and Bayview Houses Resident Association President Sheryl Boyce formally announced the completed installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in targeted areas of NYCHA’s Bayview Houses in Brooklyn. Having the cameras in place greatly enhances security and reduces the likelihood and incidence of crime. NYCHA is only able to provide this additional security because of discretionary funding provided by elected officials such as State lawmakers Sampson, who secured $100,000, and Maisel, who secured $250,000 from the state capital funds.

“The safety and security of our residents is of great importance to NYCHA, and installing CCTV cameras deters crime and enhances the quality of life of our residents,” said NYCHA Chairman John Rhea. “Through our roadmap for providing safe and secure housing for our residents, Plan NYCHA, we have been actively working with all public housing community stakeholders, including the NYPD, to ensure that issues of safety and security are addressed through a more collaborative approach. State Assembly Member Maisel’s and Senator Sampson’s work in securing funds for the cameras is a key example of such collaboration, and we appreciate and salute their support of the NYCHA community.”

“I am really and truly thankful for the money that Assembly Member Maisel and Senator Sampson have given to Bayview Houses to get the job started with the installation of cameras,” said Bayview Houses Resident Association president Sheryl Boyce.

The state capital funding at the Bayview Houses provides for 30 cameras located in several buildings at the development. NYCHA, the NYPD and Resident Association leaders work together to determine camera locations at each development. The CCTV security systems are strategically placed to monitor key areas such as building entrances, street corners, elevators, and equipment rooms. The NYPD can access footage in cases of reported criminal activity.

Since the inception of the CCTV surveillance program in 1997, NYCHA has installed 6,680 security surveillance cameras of varying scale at 538 buildings in 101 developments citywide. NYCHA is on track to complete installation of CCTV, along with layered access control, at 85 development sites by the end of 2013.

About the New York City Housing Authority:
NYCHA is committed to increasing opportunities for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers by providing safe, affordable housing and facilitating access to social and community services. More than 400,000 New Yorkers reside in NYCHA’s 334 public housing developments around the five boroughs, and another 235,000 receive subsidized rental assistance in private homes through the NYCHA-administered Section 8 Leased Housing Program.

About the Bayview Houses:

Bayview Houses has 23, eight-story buildings with 1,609 apartments. Completed June 7, 1956, the 34.02-acre complex is bordered by Seaview Avenue, East 102nd Street, and Rockaway Parkway.

-###-