Action demanded on Bronx drug market
An open-air drug market at 149th Street and Melrose Avenue in the Bronx continues to plague the neighborhood, despite city cleanup efforts. Congressman Ritchie Torres is demanding action from Gov. Hochul and Mayor Adams, citing ongoing issues with repeat offenders and insufficient support for addiction treatment.
BRONX – Despite repeated calls for action, an open-air drug market at 149th Street and Melrose Avenue in the Bronx remains a troubling presence on the street, and officials are renewind their demands for city and state intervention.
‘Like hell on earth’ – Persistent drug market fuels frustration
What we know:
FOX 5 NY first reported on the market last year, wwhere neighbors described the scene on the border of Mott Haven and Melrose as “like hell on earth.”
People could be seen openly using and paying for drugs, along with a man projective vomiting and passing out in broad daylight.
Nearby store owners say that the market is driving away business, while residents say they are losing patience.
Children walk past a man laying on the street near an alleged ‘open-air drug market’ in the Bronx.
“Mayor Adams has been clear that public safety is the prerequisite to prosperity, and the only way to ensure New Yorkers both are safe and feel safe is to address quality-of-life issues head on,” said Kayla Mamelak, Press Secretary for the Mayor’s office in a statement. “In addition to deploying additional police officers, our health partners have cleaned up and safely disposed of more than 7,300 syringes, engaged more than 860 people to initiate addiction treatment, and referred 89 people to additional services.”
“The state of New York has stood by passively and done nothing,” Torres said.
When the market was cleared from its original location in September 2024, it simply moved half a block south into Roberto Clemente Plaza.
Rep. Ritchie Torres calls for tougher action
What they’re saying:
Rep. Torres is calling on both Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul to take stronger action against the drug market. He blames the state’s bail and discovery laws for allowing repeat offenders to return to the streets shortly after being arrested.
“Repeat offenders know the rules of the game, and they are gaming a broken system in order to break the rules,” Torres said during a recent press conference.
NYPD officers clear a ‘open-air drug market’ in the Bronx in September 2024.
City officials acknowledge the need for more work. In a statement, City Hall said it has taken significant steps but admitted that additional efforts are required to address the root causes of the problem.
What’s next:
Congressman Torres has escalated his efforts, sending a new letter to Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams demanding the drug market be shut down.
Torres, who is rumored to be considering a run for New York Governor, blames Hochul for laws he says are failing New Yorkers.
