Authorities Relocate Harlem Mother, Daughter Who Have Been Terrorized By Teen Gang
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A mother and her teen daughter said on Wednesday that they were being targeted and terrorized by a group of teenagers in their Harlem home.
As CBS2's Hazel Sanchez reported, the NYPD has now taken action to protect the family.
"They was kicking me. They was dragging me," said one woman, who was afraid to show her face when she spoke with CBS2's Valerie Castro on Wednesday. "I really thought I was going to die."
The woman said a group of teens has been terrorizing her and her 14-year-old daughter at the King Towers public housing development at115th Street and Lenox Avenue in Harlem, where they live.
She showed CBS2 cellphone video of what she said was a gang beating her daughter while a crowd cheered them on.
"They think because they are teenagers, they're going to get away with it," the woman said.
The violence has now prompted a meeting with the family and police at the 28th Precinct stationhouse.
"This is a prime and maybe an extreme example of when bullying can actually lead to assaults," said police Commissioner Bill Bratton.
At the meeting, authorities decided that the mother and daughter should be moved to another public housing building for their own safety.
The Rev. Vernon Williams and two of his colleagues sat in on the meeting.
"This young lady -- I don't want to mention her name -- that's being attacked right now -- there's a green light on her," Williams said. "So any time someone sees her, they're going to attack her."
But community leaders said transferring the family will not erase the underlying issues at King Towers. They plan to go in and reach out to those who they believe are at the root of the problem.
"We've declared war on violence," said the Rev. Michael Faulkner.
"We have to go into the families' homes and deal with the families," added Williams. "What kind of mentality allows you to allow your child that you're taking care of to have gang meetings and sleepovers in your home?"
"We have to do this in our community; in our neighborhoods," added the Rev. Jack Healy. "We have to take, more than just say that these kids are messed up. We've got to do something to help them."
The mother said a group at King Towers continues to make threats, and she fears for her life. She is hoping a new home will bring her and her daughter peace of mind.
The family said police have been stationed at their apartment door while the city works transferring them to a new home.