City Council Member Oswald Feliz, representing the area, highlighted the distressing situation in a letter to the Department of Transportation (DOT), obtained by the New York Post.
Bronx subway stations have turned into problematic spots, transforming into open-air drug markets and causing serious safety concerns for locals
According to Feliz, the underpass at the Kingsbridge D-train station has become a focal point for illegal drug trade and misuse, rendering the area unpleasant and sometimes impassable. The escalating drug problem isn’t confined to this one station it’s spreading across multiple Bronx subway stations, leading to a pervasive sense of insecurity among residents. Instances of illicit drug dealings, drug abuse, littered needles, and trash have significantly marred the walkways, leaving locals feeling uneasy about their safety, especially parents like Draya Michelle and Brian Calle.
Michelle, a concerned mother, expressed her unease, stating she avoids the area entirely due to safety fears. Calle, another resident and father, echoed similar concerns, mentioning his discomfort walking around Bronx subway stations with his kids in such an environment.
New York City reported a staggering 20-year record-high of 3,026 fatal drug overdoses in 2022, with the Bronx recording the highest rate of overdose deaths citywide
Feliz accused the DOT of inaction in addressing the situation, alleging that despite receiving suggestions, the agency failed to take necessary steps. Responding to the outcry, a DOT spokesperson assured they are actively working to resolve the issue, emphasizing the complexity of the challenge and the need for a coordinated effort from various agencies under the Adams administration to ensure safety in Bronx subway stations.
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