Bronx Parents Demand More Police Protection as Mayor Cuts NYPD Budget
NEW YORK — A growing divide has emerged between New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s policing priorities and the safety concerns of parents in the Bronx, where families are calling for increased police presence even as City Hall moves to reduce law enforcement resources.
More than 1,000 people have signed a petition supporting families at Zeta Bronx Tremont Park Lower Elementary School, who are requesting that the city assign an NYPD crossing guard to a dangerous intersection where parents fear a tragedy is inevitable. The petition highlights the disconnect between the mayor’s budget cuts to the police department and the practical safety needs expressed by residents in one of the city’s most populated boroughs.
At the intersection of Arthur Avenue and Tremont Avenue, a busy junction that feeds directly onto Interstate 95, parents described a daily gauntlet their children must navigate as vehicles speed through the crossing. The location presents particular hazards due to its proximity to the highway entrance, where drivers often accelerate without adequate attention to pedestrians.
“The situation is very horrible for the kids and the parents too,” said Aimee, a parent at the school. “There have always been small accidents on the street because the intersection crosses to go right to the highway, and it’s something that worries us a lot. They don’t take us into consideration and I feel that we should raise our voice for the entire community of the school.”
Another parent, Christine, explained that the school has pursued a crossing guard or police officer “for a long time” but has been told repeatedly that no personnel are available. Notably, several NYPD vehicles were observed parked near the intersection during school hours, though they remained unoccupied. Parents indicated these vehicles belong to a nearby station and are not assigned to monitor the crossing.
“Almost been accidents so many times, and we really need help,” Christine said.
The situation comes as Mayor Mamdani faces continuing scrutiny over his approach to law enforcement. His administration has moved forward with budget cuts to the NYPD and canceled plans to hire 5,000 new officers, decisions that have drawn criticism from various quarters of the city.
The mayor’s stance on policing has been a point of contention since his campaign, when questions arose about his previous support for defunding the police. Those concerns have intensified following his budget proposals, which reduce funding for the nation’s largest municipal police force at a time when some communities are requesting additional law enforcement presence.
For some parents in the Bronx, including those who initially supported Mamdani’s candidacy, the current approach appears misaligned with their community’s needs.
“Removing or preventing us from having those resources is a step in the wrong direction when our schools and children clearly need more support,” said Paola, a parent at Zeta, in a statement. “We need more preventive officers and programs to keep our neighborhoods in the Bronx safe.”
Another parent expressed growing disillusionment with the administration’s direction. “I am one of those who initially had a lot of faith in Mayor Mamdani, but I’m starting to get scared because he doesn’t seem aware of the actual needs of my community.”
The mayor’s office did not respond to requests for comment on the parents’ petition or their concerns about the dangerous intersection.
The situation at this Bronx elementary school represents a microcosm of larger debates playing out across American cities about the appropriate level of police funding and presence in communities. While some advocate for reduced law enforcement budgets, others argue that public safety requires adequate police resources, particularly in areas where children are at risk.
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