Congressman Ritchie Torres Urges Action Against Bronx Open-Air Drug Market

On Wednesday, September 11th, Congressman Ritchie Torres raised urgent concerns about an open-air drug market on Melrose Avenue in the Bronx, calling on Mayor Eric Adams to take immediate action. Torres, who represents New York District 15 in Congress, described the situation on the block between East 149th and 150th Streets as a scene reminiscent of the 1980s and 1990s, where drug use occurred openly in broad daylight. His call to action followed a personal visit to the area, where he witnessed firsthand the severity of the problem.

Residents in the area echoed Torres’ alarm, stating, “It’s like hell on Earth.” Children in the community are regularly exposed to drug activity while walking through the neighborhood. A store owner shared his frustration with the lack of consistent police presence, adding that officers only appear after repeated calls, and when they do arrive, they often disperse the crowd without addressing the root issue.

Congressman Torres has called on the city to deploy both police and health officials to dismantle the market and provide addiction services. In his letter to Mayor Adams, Torres stressed the need for a coordinated response from both the NYPD and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). He emphasized that the city’s apparent neglect of the issue sends a troubling message about the public health and safety of the Bronx. Congressman Torres said, “Just as troubling as the open-air drug market itself is the absence of any attempt by the City to dismantle it. The tacit acceptance of unfettered drug use on Melrose Avenue, as though it were an inevitable fact of life, sends a dangerous message: that the public safety and public health of the Bronx is not a priority but an afterthought.

City Hall acknowledged the concerns raised by Torres, stating they were committed to partnering with him to create a safer environment for all New Yorkers. However, Torres urged for more immediate and concrete action, pointing out that while cooperation is welcomed, the city already has the tools to address the issue through its control of police and health departments.

The situation has sparked further discussion on the handling of drug addiction in public spaces. Torres, while expressing compassion for drug users, emphasized that allowing such conditions to persist indefinitely was neither compassionate nor acceptable. He vowed to continue pushing for a comprehensive solution to restore safety and dignity to the Bronx.