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In a striking display of community frustration, residents of East Harlem are urgently calling on the Trump administration to intervene and shut down a safe injection site that they claim has turned their neighborhood into a hub of crime and disorder.
The facility, which opened in 2021, has been the center of escalating tensions as locals report rampant drug dealing and public disturbances just outside its doors.
Community concerns over safety and crime
Grassroots organizations, including the East Harlem Neighborhood Group and One City Rising, have taken their grievances to US Attorney General Pam Bondi, urging her to close the site that they argue violates federal law.
In a heartfelt letter dated February 17, residents expressed that their daily lives have become increasingly untenable since the facility’s establishment. They described a grim reality where drug addicts openly use substances in public, and drug dealing occurs in broad daylight, creating an unsafe environment for families and children.
Witnesses have reported alarming scenes, such as individuals exchanging cash for drugs just steps away from a preschool, highlighting the urgent need for action. “Every day, we see people nodding off in the streets and committing petty crimes,” one resident lamented.
The community’s plea for federal intervention echoes similar calls from local politicians, including Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, who has reached out to the Department of Justice for assistance.
Mixed reactions to the safe injection site
While some residents vehemently oppose the facility, others argue that it provides essential services to drug users, such as clean needles and medical supervision.
Supporters claim that these measures help prevent the spread of diseases like AIDS and provide a lifeline for those struggling with addiction. Devon Frost, a security guard near the site, acknowledged the benefits but also expressed concern about the lack of efforts to rehabilitate users.
In stark contrast, local barber Cole Brown criticized the facility, stating, “People are going there to get help, and they’re buying drugs!” This sentiment reflects a growing frustration among residents who feel that the site is exacerbating rather than alleviating the drug crisis in their community.
Calls for change amid rising drug-related incidents
Since the opening of the safe injection site, drug-related complaints in East Harlem have surged by 377%, according to NYPD data. Residents like Elizabeth Jarrett Van Clief, who has lived in the area for nearly two decades, have witnessed a dramatic shift in their neighborhood’s atmosphere. “My sons walk by people injecting themselves in their necks, and they’re walking by bodies that are slumped over,” she shared, emphasizing the alarming changes since the facility’s inception.
Despite the community’s outcry, OnPoint, the nonprofit operating the site, defends its actions, citing over 1,800 overdose interventions and various social services provided to users. However, the lack of closure from federal authorities has left residents feeling ignored and desperate for change.
As the political landscape shifts with the potential return of Trump to the White House, some locals express cautious optimism that the current administration may prioritize law and order over harm reduction strategies. “Anything is possible with Trump,” said Cody Diaz, a shelter resident, reflecting a glimmer of hope among those who have long felt abandoned by local leaders.
