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New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Acting Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse have announced a multi-agency response aimed at addressing public safety and improving quality of life in “The Hub,” a major commercial center along Melrose Avenue in the South Bronx. To maintain quality-of-life and public safety on the corridor, the Adams administration launched the effort under its “Community Link” initiative, a collaborative, multi-agency response to chronic problems.
“Every day, we are working to make our city safer and the best place to raise a family, and today’s announcement will now bring our successful ‘Community Link’ model to ‘The Hub.’ Through this multi-agency operation, we’ll work 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 capacity,” said Mayor Adams. “Over the last 19 months, ‘Community Link’ has responded to over 1,200 complaints and conducted 1,200 operations — making these neighborhoods safer one action at a time. Through these joint operations, we will continue to improve quality of life on every block, in every neighborhood, and in every borough across our city.”
“Through our ‘Community Link’ initiative, the city has been guided by comprehensive, community-driven solutions to ensure that no neighborhood is overlooked or underserved,” said Chief of Staff and Deputy Mayor for Administration Camille Joseph Varlack. “We are proud to expand this program to directly confront the longstanding quality-of-life issues in ‘The Hub.’ For too long, the South Bronx has had to deal with their challenges alone, but by working alongside our community partners and this broad coalition of agencies, I am confident that we will drive real change, and continue our work making New York the safest big city in the nation.”
“When neighborhoods are plagued by quality-of-life issues, New Yorkers simply don’t feel safe,” said NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “This multi-agency strategy will address the problems that people are seeing every day on Melrose Avenue that contribute to this sense of disorder without unduly punishing people who are struggling with mental health crises. We know this model works and have seen the results in communities across the city.”
“At the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, we are committed to meeting New Yorkers where they are and supporting access to evidence-based services,” said DOHMH Acting Commissioner Dr. Morse. “I’m grateful to all of our partners on the ground for their tireless work.”
“We took a crucial step forward last week with the launch of our ‘Recovering Together’ initiative, a bold and targeted effort to inform, invest in, and directly intervene in the communities hardest hit by the opioid crisis,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “Nowhere is the urgency clearer than in the South Bronx — particularly ‘The Hub’ — where the devastating impact of this crisis has been deeply felt. We stand with the residents, families, and businesses of this vital commercial corridor, ensuring they have the resources and support they need to heal and rebuild. Through ‘Recovering Together,’ in partnership with the Adams administration’s ‘Community Link’ initiative, we are strengthening our city’s commitment to public health and safety, ensuring none of our communities are left behind. But this is just the beginning. The challenges we face are systemic, and while this announcement is a significant step forward, we will not stop fighting for the long-term solutions our residents and families deserve.”
Alongside the NYPD and DOHMH, the multi-agency effort also includes the New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS), the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY), the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), and the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB), with all agencies focused on homeless outreach and maintaining street cleanliness. Additionally, the city works closely with non-profit providers that have long-standing roots in the community to deliver services and deepen community trust.
This announcement builds on an intensive surge by Community Link in The Hub between October 3, 2024 and November 3, 2024. During that time, DHS had 880 engagements and placed over 45 individuals in shelter. DHS outreach teams continue to canvass the neighborhood every Tuesday through Thursday and DHS’ non-profit provider Bronx Works operates in the area multiple times a day between Tuesday through Saturday, ensuring there is always sustained outreach by DHS in the neighborhood. DHS has also assigned crisis coordinators to the area to offer homeless outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness.
DOHMH has been working closely with community partners and service providers to engage New Yorkers in the area who are struggling with substance use disorder by connecting them to care and resources to lead a healthy life. DOHMH funds four contracted syringe service programs to conduct community engagement and daily outreach in the area, and partners with local providers to promote referrals to care.
