After deadly East Village stabbing, community leaders say area is "chaotic" and "out of control"
NEW YORK - A deadly stabbing in New York City's East Village has community leaders calling for more to be done about safety in the area.
The stabbing happened just before 6 p.m. Sunday near Avenue A and East 14th Street.
Police said a 38-year-old man was stabbed in the neck and died at the hospital. A 51-year-old woman was hospitalized in critical condition, and a 32-year-old man was listed in stable condition.
A 30-year-old man has been charged with murder, police said.
East Village residents, businesses react to latest violence
Residents told CBS New York the block turns into an open air flea market on the weekends, attracting drugs and violence.
The block was cleaned up by Monday, with police officers patrolling nearby. But residents said there are typically dozens of illegal vendors lining the sidewalk.
"Since COVID, the flea market area has spilled out onto the street, and it's madness out here," East Village resident Mike Puleo said.
The stabbing happened right in front of Gemina Coffee Shop.
"He just take the knife from the pocket and started what he was doing," said the barista. "Always happen, a big fight here, big things here."
Another man said the block has become so dangerous, he had to cut the hours of his smoothie shop.
"They're selling drugs, fighting, drinking, and it's not really safe," Jimmy Jiang said.
Police sources said both the suspect and the victim were known drug users in the neighborhood.
Councilmembers say the area has gotten "chaotic" & "out of control"
Two New York City Councilmembers who represent parts of Manhattan released statements about the stabbing and overall safety in the area.
Councilmember Keith Powers said "the situation on 14th Street is out of control."
"I've repeatedly called for a consistent and sustained presence of the NYPD and city agencies to finally put an end to these tragic incidents. In the time where we have received this, we have seen marked improvement," his statement read in part. "We need every elected official and agency working to solve these problems: A dedicated NYPD presence to curb illicit activities, continued enforcement of illegal vendors, on-going attention to trash and sanitation cleanup, and more."
Councilmember Carlina Rivera said "the area remains chaotic and unkempt since the pandemic."
"I have personally been in touch with the NYPD, Bellevue Hospital, the Department of Sanitation, Manhattan District Attorney, and the Archdiocese to work together to address local conditions," her statement read in part. "Just moments before the incident, the NYPD approached multiple aggressive individuals transient to the area, and have identified the individual involved as an emotionally disturbed person with a record of assault."
Both councilmembers thanked the city agencies and community groups that have been working to address the situation, with Powers adding, "it's time that everyone works together to end this madness once and for all."
NYPD data shows major crimes in the 9th precinct have gone down over the past two years. A spokesperson told CBS New York in part, "There will be a dedicated foot post to address quality of life issues and maintain a visible presence along 14th Street."