Bronx Councilwoman Althea Stevens Dismisses Concerns of Voter Crime Fears
Attention Bronx voters: One of your City Council representatives appears to hold you in low regard.
Councilwoman Althea Stevens claims that residents in her high-crime Bronx district who advocate for increased police presence simply fail to understand that “alternative solutions” will enhance their safety.
Interestingly, as we perceive: Stevens, a social worker by profession and an advocate for defunding the NYPD, promotes the use of “violence interrupters” and enhanced youth programs as significant crime deterrents.
“Residents in my community call for more police because they are unaware of alternative solutions,” she expressed emphatically at last week’s Public Safety Committee meeting, where she advocated for legislation aimed at abolishing the NYPD’s gang database.
Disregarding the conditions in the high-crime 44th Precinct (which encompasses Grand Concourse, Yankee Stadium, and Bronx Terminal Market), this area is one of the busiest commands for the NYPD and constitutes a substantial part of her council district.
In the initial three days of 2025, the 44th precinct recorded two homicides.
Out of the city’s 77 precincts (according to CompStat), it reported the fourth-highest major felony crimes (3,223) in 2024, including 16 homicides and 45 shootings, with major crime up by 41% since 2019.
Yet, Stevens believes her constituents are mistaken in their desire for more police; progressive council members evidently know better.
Absolutely: New Yorkers who face the sounds of gunfire at night and chaos on the streets during the day recognize their fears are valid.
While they may appreciate the notion of youth programs and anti-crime counseling, they are well aware that an increased police presence is their primary hope for enhanced safety.
As we approach the June 24 Democratic primary, let’s hope that Stevens’ misguided views motivate someone to run against her, challenging her to take the concerns of Bronx voters seriously instead of dismissing them as foolish.
