NYC's Open-Air Drug Markets: A Crisis Demanding Immediate Action

Congressman Ritchie Torres sounds the alarm about the rampant open-air drug markets plaguing the South Bronx and other parts of New York City. He argues that these markets are a symptom of a broken system failing New Yorkers.

<img src="https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/BXSY1.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=744" alt="A man prepares to use a syringe to inject a substance in a woman's leg in The Hub on November 27, 2024 in the Bronx, N.Y." >

The Core Issue: Torres highlights the unacceptable level of drug use and dealing in public spaces, posing a danger to both addicts and the general public. He criticizes the current approach as "cruelty cloaked as compassion."

Proposed Solution: If elected governor, Torres pledges to immediately direct state and city police to dismantle every open-air drug market in NYC. This, he says, would send a powerful message that the city will no longer tolerate this situation.

Criticism of Current Leadership: Torres sharply criticizes Governor Hochul's apparent disregard for the severity of the problem, citing her self-congratulatory statements about reduced crime while ignoring incidents like a woman being set on fire in a subway car. He accuses her of merely "managing the decline" of the city instead of addressing its root causes.

A Call for Change: Torres emphasizes the right of all New Yorkers, regardless of their location or political influence, to a safe and decent quality of life. He challenges the political establishment to stop accepting open-air drug markets as the "new normal."

Tone-Deaf Governance

The article further criticizes the lack of decisive action from both Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams, implying a failure of leadership in tackling the issue.

Conclusion: The piece ends with a powerful call for a return to basic principles of affordability, public safety, and quality of life, beginning with the immediate eradication of open-air drug markets in NYC.