BY SPECTRUM NEWS STAFF AND ANGI GONZALEZ MANHATTAN
NEW YORK - New safety measures are being implemented in Morningside Park to prevent future attacks following the stabbing death of a Barnard College student last month.
The NYPD discussed the improvements with members of the community at a meeting Wednesday night.
They include brighter LED lights at the 116th Street staircase, six new light towers and several security cameras.
The parks department is also now meeting with local police officers every two weeks.
There had been concern about a rise in crime in the park, even before the death of 18-year-old Tessa Majors, and officials say youth programming also need to be part of the solution.
"It breaks my heart that the suspects here they are not mere than suspects we have to be mindful they are only 13 and 14 years old," said City Councilman Mark Levine.
"It’s unfortunate that it took this event to sort of kickstart but here we are . We are going to move forward," said Brad Taylor of Friends of Morningside Park.
"I came as a concerned parent, grandparent to support the youth and safety for all the kids," said one neighborhood resident.
Majors, a Freshman at Barnard, was killed in the park on December 11.
A 13-year-old boy is charged with second-degree murder meanwhile two 14-year-olds were initially questioned and released by police.