Residents in Greenwich Village Hired Private Security to Combat Crime Surge

In the summer of 2024, several block associations in Greenwich Village hired private security guards in an effort to address a surge in crime and public safety concerns near Washington Square Park. The move followed growing frustration among residents who felt the city was not adequately addressing issues such as open drug use, public defecation, and aggressive behavior by individuals experiencing homelessness.

The West 4th/Mac 6th Block Association, covering West 4th Street between MacDougal Street and Sixth Avenue, initiated the security measures in July. For a six-week pilot program, unarmed guards patrolled the block nightly from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., while a security vehicle conducted additional drive-throughs. Residents hoped the effort would deter criminal activity that had been spilling over from Washington Square Park.

Brian Maloney, a longtime resident and one of the association’s leaders, explained to the Village Sun that the decision to hire guards was not made lightly. Maloney, a father of young children and a 37-year city resident, said conditions on his street had become intolerable.

“It felt worse than the crack epidemic of the 1980s,” Maloney said, describing frequent encounters with individuals using or selling drugs on his block. “We couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.”

Residents of the block reported seeing people openly using drugs on stoops, sleeping on sidewalks, and engaging in violent altercations. Children witnessed unsettling scenes, such as individuals passed out with needles in their arms and others exposing themselves. According to Maloney, some families felt forced to move due to the deteriorating quality of life.

The block association decided to hire armed guards for part of the pilot period after consulting with a security expert, who warned that many drug dealers in the area carried weapons. The association spent $18,000 per month on the security program, a cost that Maloney acknowledged was difficult to sustain.

The guards, dressed in black, recorded over 200 interactions during the first two weeks of the program. Their presence offered some relief, but the association concluded that maintaining 24/7 security was financially unfeasible. After the pilot ended in August, residents regrouped to consider next steps.

Residents had previously appealed to city officials for assistance. In 2023, they participated in a walk-through of Washington Square Park with State Senator Brad Hoylman, members of the Village Alliance business improvement district, and representatives from Community Board 2. Despite these efforts, many residents felt their concerns were dismissed.

Maloney expressed frustration over what he described as “lip service” from some officials, noting that an assistant district attorney had suggested the neighborhood was not a priority for resource allocation. Residents sent letters to local politicians, including Councilmembers Christopher Marte and Erik Bottcher, urging them to address the conditions on their streets.

Captain Stephen Spataro of the Sixth Precinct acknowledged that enforcement challenges had increased in recent years. He attributed part of the problem to bail reform measures and changes in prosecutorial priorities, which he said made it more difficult to address drug-related offenses. Spataro also pointed out that police manpower in the precinct had decreased compared to previous decades.

In late August, Marte and Bottcher conducted another walk-through of the area, accompanied by a representative from the district attorney’s office. Marte stated that he was gathering information and planned to meet with residents to discuss potential solutions.

The security pilot coincided with heightened police patrols in Washington Square Park, which aimed to address crime and safety issues. However, Spataro noted that increased enforcement in the park often resulted in the displacement of problematic activity to surrounding streets, including West 4th Street.

Local business owners also expressed frustration with the conditions. One manager referred to an outdoor dining shed as the “Crack Shack,” criticizing its use by drug users and arguing that it contributed to the neighborhood’s challenges.

Residents who supported the private security initiative emphasized that their concerns were not about property values but about maintaining a livable community. In letters to officials, they described fears for their safety and urged the city to take more substantial action.

One resident wrote, “No one in this city, especially in this historic neighborhood, should have to live like this. As a woman, I’m terrified to go out at night, but the situation is just as bad in daylight.”

Although the private security program ended after six weeks, Maloney and other residents remained committed to finding long-term solutions. They advocated for increased police visibility, expanded mental health services, and a renewed focus on addressing the root causes of the area’s issues.

“We want safety and security for everyone,” Maloney said. “We’re not asking for the world—just for the city to do its part.”

As residents awaited further action from city officials, they continued to explore ways to improve their neighborhood. For many, the experience underscored the importance of collective action and the need for a more coordinated response to the challenges facing Greenwich Village.