Overview

• Emergency responders are being called to Roberto Clemente Plaza multiple times daily, with up to 20 overdoses reported in a single week.
• The Hub’s 15% commercial vacancy rate reflects steep business attrition as open-air drug use and trafficking drive away customers.
• Rep. Torres demands that Mayor Adams launch a sustained multi-agency campaign and remove or redesign the plaza’s permanent seating to curb loitering and drug activity.
• City Hall defends its Community Link model, citing over 3,600 summonses issued, more than 1,000 arrests, 730 syringes removed and dozens of homeless individuals placed in shelter.
• Local officials and residents warn that the crisis has deepened a year after Torres first publicized the open-air market, underscoring persistent public health and safety challenges.