Mayor Eric Adams and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr.launched the new “Village Interagency Task Force” , a group of city and community agencies who will tackle quality of life issues near Washington Square Park.

Photo by Lloyd Mitchell.

Mayor Eric Adams and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg unveiled the newly formed “Village Interagency Task Force,” a bold initiative to tackle rampant drug use, homelessness and other societal woes in the Greenwich Village and West Village neighborhoods, including Washington Square Park.

The force will harness the collective power of more than ten city agencies and community partners to address chronic challenges ranging from drug use and homelessness to crime and public disorder. The Village Interagency Task Force is part of a larger “Community Link” initiative launched by the Adams administration, which aims to foster collaboration among various city departments to address pressing quality-of-life concerns across the five boroughs.

“This initiative marks a pivotal moment for our community,” Mayor Adams said during the unveiling in Washington Square Park. “New Yorkers have a right to public order, safer streets, and cleaner parks, and this administration has fought for that right since day one. With the Village Interagency Task Force, we’re implementing a stronger, more effective approach to safety and quality of life issues that have long burdened our vibrant community. We will work tirelessly to ensure this neighborhood remains a dynamic and welcoming destination.”

Bragg acknowledged the significance of this collective effort.

“Public safety and community wellbeing take all of us working hand-in-hand—law enforcement, city agencies, and community leaders,” Bragg said. “That is the vision of our interdisciplinary hubs, and I am proud to bring this vision into reality here in the Village. We are committed to bringing meaningful change to the lives of New Yorkers we serve.”

Several local leaders are leading this endeavor, including Scott Hobbs, co-chair of the Village Interagency Task Force and Executive Director of the Village Alliance, who emphasized the necessity of a united front in addressing pressing concerns.

“Our small business community is also being heavily impacted by lawlessness, with rampant theft and harassment becoming far too common. This task force is a crucial step toward restoring public safety and vibrancy to our community. We’ve already noticed substantial changes and look forward to continued progress,” Hobbs said. 

The task force, which includes representatives from local organizations, New York University, and a range of city agencies including the NYPD, Fire Department, and the Departments of Homeless Services and Health, will address issues such as the use and sale of controlled substances, retail theft, and mental health challenges.

“It takes a village,” Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Chauncey Parker said. “Everyone is coming together with a shared commitment to making the village safer and stronger. We are at one table, taking concrete steps together to address the concerns of our community strategically and effectively.”

The initiative follows a series of public outreach efforts that began in May 2024, which involved collaborative operations by the NYPD and the Department of Homeless Services to address issues related to drug use and homelessness in Washington Square Park.

Since the implementation of these measures, there has been a reported 23% decrease in overall major crimes in the 6th Precinct.