Bronx’s drug-addled ‘The Hub’ will see new quality-of-life crackdown, NYC Mayor Eric Adams says
The “Broadway of the Bronx” — infamous for its open drug use and squalor — will see a new surge of city resources to crack down on quality-of-life problems, Mayor Eric Adams announced Thursday.
Adams said his multi-agency “Community Link” program will descend on the commercial area between Melrose and Mott Haven, known as “The Hub.”
“Adding the Hub to this network will address the complex, chronic complaints and improve public safety in the Hunts Point, Mott Haven neighborhoods of the Bronx,” Adams said.
Exact details on how the Community Link would work in The Hub weren’t given during the embattled mayor’s announcement, which his staff cut short after reporters asked questions about Gov. Kathy Hochul potentially curtailing his powers.
A news release indicated The Hub would join other “hot spot” communities such as the prostitute-filled Roosevelt Avenue and mentally ill haven Midtown West.
The Community Link program has flooded those areas with substance abuse, mental health and homeless outreach, as well as sanitation other quality-of-life efforts.
The ceaseless squalor in The Hub — and long-standing city promises to clean it up — was revealed in a Post exposé in January.
The Post spent several days there and watched two addicts suffer apparent overdoses and dozens more nod off after openly shooting dope.
After the exposé, dealers continued peddling their wares and junkies injected opioids with impunity — and without any increased NYPD presence.
Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson said the Community Link initiative — which brings together 20 different city agencies, including the NYPD, health department and sanitation — acknowledges the “multiple layers” needed to fix the problems.
“Quality of life, sanitation, beautification, activating our open spaces, addressing the saturation of many of our social service programs, making sure that clients that are living with addiction and substance abuse have real holistic approaches to drug treatment and harm reduction programs,” she said.
