Harlem residents cope with NYPD barricades - New York News | NYC Breaking News

After gang shootings, some Harlem residents cope with NYPD barricades

Part of Harlem has become a gated community of sorts.  The NYPD is setting up barricades around a two block section of the Manhattan neighborhood.

The NYPD says the barricades are set up from dusk until dawn to crack down on crime. But some residents say their lives are being locked down.

On Monday night, officers patrolled the Harlem neighborhood as curious residents asked why the barriers are necessary.

The NYPD says this is an effort to crack down on crime after a recent spate of gang shootings.

But those living here have mixed feelings about what they call being locked down where they live.

The barriers are set up along 129th Street, between Fifth Avenue and Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard. Officers ask if a person lives in the neighborhood and let them by, or in some cases, ask for ID. Those people visiting friends may have show ID or have their friend get them.

One woman complained that the rational doesn't make sense.

"There's violence in Central Park.  Is that barricaded?" she asked.

There are stories about people being unfairly stopped and frisked. Fox 5 News did not witness any people being frisked on Monday night.

One thing is clear: this, for now anyway, has part of daily life in this Harlem neighborhood.

It is unclear how long the barriers will be set up for. The NYPD says it could be several months.