State Sen. Daniel Squadron and officials with the New York City Housing Authority met with residents of the Baruch Addition, 72 Columbia St., last week to go over details of a new security system set for installation this year. Squadron secured about $240,000 in state funding for the upgrades.
The new “layered access entrance,” in NYCHA speak, includes a new automatic front door, intercom system and keyless fob entry. The project has been delayed for several years, but according to Squadron the new administration of the housing authority has made it a priority.
Baruch Addition is a senior-only development with 197 apartments. The complex already had 14 security cameras. The larger Baruch Houses, which includes 17 buildings, has 102 cameras but no layered access security system. A NYCHA spokesperson said additional funding would need to be secured in order for the upgrades to take place throughout the Baruch complex.
The Baruch Addition project is scheduled to be completed by the end of September.
Let’s just not hold our breath here. NYCHA is notorious for not spending money allocated for security. Please report when it has ACTUALLY been installed and tested, please.