NYCHA Security Guards Absent, Falsifying Time Sheets: Report

Negligent Security at NYCHA Senior Buildings

• 🚨 Security guards hired with taxpayer money to protect vulnerable seniors in New York City public housing were frequently absent from their posts.
• ⚠️ A city report found that fire guards, crucial for preventing fire spread, were missing during three separate fires over a three-month period, leading to injuries.
• 📊 Fire guards were present at their assigned posts only 38% of the time in inspected senior buildings in 2023.
• 🚶‍♂️ Security guards were absent for all or part of their shifts 68% of the time.

Falsified Records and Security Lapses

• ✍️ Some guards reportedly falsified handwritten time sheets to appear as if they had worked full shifts.
• 🚪 A concerning 32% of doors to senior buildings were found to be not secure.
• 🚫 Furthermore, a majority of surveillance cameras in these buildings either did not work or could not be viewed remotely.

Official Response and Recommendations

• 🏛️ City council members questioned NYCHA officials, demanding a dozen changes, including electronic tracking of workers and time sheets.
• 🤝 NYCHA stated they have begun phasing out their contract with the security company and are implementing recommendations.
• 🗣️ Public housing advocates emphasize that residents should not be the last to know about these critical failures.
• 🏢 NYCHA has since ended its contract with the security company and claims significant progress on the report's recommendations.