Councilman Funds Security Cameras On Harlem Block After Shootings

HARLEM, NY — Following a recent rash of shooting on a West Harlem block, the area's local city council representative is allocating funds for NYPD security cameras.

City Councilman Mark Levine is allocating $80,000 in capital funding to the NYPD's 30th Precinct to install security cameras on West 134th Street between Amsterdam Avenue and Broadway, the councilman announced this week. Three shootings occurred on the mainly-residential block in early March with two occurring within hours on the same day, police said.

"In response to the alarming crime statistics on West 134th Street, including multiple shootings this year already, I’m proud to be allocating this money to help the NYPD keep that street safe," Levine said in a statement.

Levine's announcement did not specify when the cameras will be installed.

The NYPD's crime statistics do not seem to accurately represent safety concerns in the precinct. According to NYPD CompStat data as of April 21 there has only been one "shooting incident" and one shooting victim recorded in the 30th Precinct this year. The data may be misleading because the NYPD defines a "shooting incident" as a person being shot. The two shootings reported on March 1 on West 134th Street did not involve victims.

Levine plans to announce his full capital budget later this spring, the councilman said.