NCJ Number
60730
Date Published
1978
Length
38 pages
Annotation
THIS IS A PROPOSAL DEVELOPED FOR ROCKEFELLER CENTER, INC. TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS IN EXXON MINIPARK IN NEW YORK CITY, TO MAKE IT MORE USABLE FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND TO AVOID A FURTHER RISE IN CRIME.
Abstract
THE PARK, UNLIKE OTHERS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, HAS DEVELOPED A BAD REPUTATION AND FUNCTIONS AS A MARKET PLACE FOR DRUG DEALERS AND AS AN AREA FOR MARIJUANA SMOKING. TO DETERMINE HOW THIS SPACE COULD BETTER SERVE THE GENERAL PUBLIC, DIRECT OBSERVATION AND MOVIE FILMING WAS DONE FOR FIVE DAYS IN THE SUMMER OF 1978. INTERVIEWS WITH THE MANAGEMENT, THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE COLLEGE ACROSS THE STREET, AND THE DRUG DEALERS WERE CONDUCTED. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT INCLUDED CHANGES IN THE PHYSICAL MAKEUP OF THE PARK, SUCH AS BETTER LOCATED ENTRANCES, MORE MOVABLE SEATING SPACE, MORE WASTE CONTAINERS, AND SHELTERED AREAS. BETTER USE OF THE EXISTING RESTAURANT AND A CHANGE IN BOTH LOCATION AND SERVICES WAS RECOMMENDED. THE PARK COULD BE FURTHER REVITALIZED THROUGH MORE FREQUENT LIVE ENTERTAINMENT TO BRING IN A MORE DIVERSE CROWD, AND INCREASED SECURITY TO DISCOURAGE VAGRANTS AND DRUG DEALERS. THE PARK SHOULD BE CLOSED DURING THESE CHANGES TO FORCE THE DRUG DEALERS TO FIND A DIFFERENT MARKET. (GWC)