Carlina Rivera is "Upset" over 14th Street

Photo Source [Our Town]

Twelve days after the triple stabbing and murder on 14th Street between First Avenue and Avenue A, the East Village block has returned to a quiet place where businesses, vendors, and their employees can go about their daily lives without living in fear that one of them will become a statistic. 

The NYPD has maintained a constant presence on the block since the murder involving illegal street vendors and many are grateful they continually check in with local businesses. 

An article in Our Town makes note the situation, quoting the befuddled City Council member Carlina Rivera who said, "we are also upset that this area remains chaotic and unkempt since the pandemic." 

Rivera's failure to handle the situation for seven years is why the area has remained chaotic and unkempt, something she and her office should really stop drawing attention to with vacuous quotes. Her office hasn't offered any statistics on her 'Street health, outreach, and wellness' initiative, aptly named SHOW, but Carlina Rivera did manage to find the time to casually pose on the blood stains.

Good for you.

Clean Up Drive Underway on E. 14th. St. Finally After Recent Stabbing Death [Our Town] 

The Carlina Rivera 'SHOW'

Still from Fox 5 NY

City Council member Carlina Rivera unveiled a street unit in 2023 called "Street health, outreach, and wellness," also known as 'SHOW', in an attempt to deal with the problems of homelessness, open-air drug use, and illegal street vendors that have plagued 14th Street since 2018. Rivera's office said at the time her new unit offers on-the-spot services with the hopes of clearing the area of threats to the safety of local residents. 

"Historically, this intersection has been a focal point for illicit street vendors peddling subpar goods and intimidating passersby. Our office has worked with DSNY and DCWP to address those concerns. Recently, the area has become a gathering spot for individuals experiencing homelessness or struggling with mental health challenges. Concerned residents have brought numerous complaints to our attention including concerns pertaining to individuals frequently found sleeping on the sidewalks, engaging in the noticeable use of drugs, and exhibiting instances of aggressive and or violent behavior towards others. Our office takes these concerns seriously and is actively working towards addressing and resolving these issues," according to a press release from Rivera's office.

Historically, Rivera's 'SHOW' is just that, an easily mocked acronym with a limited presence on this block - we're being very generous. Any information regarding her 'SHOW', its progress, or any relevant milestones, isn't readily available to the public.

City Council Unveils New Approach to Homeless, Drug-Ridden Corridor of East 14th Street. [Fox 5 NY]