Neighbors say Downtown Brooklyn jail construction site dust and debris are entering their homes
A partial stop-work order went into effect at the site last Wednesday. Just two days after, the order was lifted.
May 11, 2026, 7:15 PM
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Updated
Residents living near the Downtown Brooklyn jail construction site say they’re fed up — claiming dust, debris, and other unknown substances have been making their way into their living spaces.
With a lot of time left on the borough-based jail project, they want to see something change immediately.
Whether it’s the dust, spray materials, other unknown substances or even piles of trash, residents who live next to the site say the ongoing issue has become rampant since April.
With no current air monitoring at the worksite, concerns about what they could be exposed to grow every day — while the work being done sees no end.
“Last week we had actual debris,” said Lori Richmond, “trash, all kinds of stuff that flew off of the site into our residential property, into the courtyard where children are playing on people's private patios.”
A partial stop-work order went into effect at the site last Wednesday. Just two days after, the order was lifted.
Meanwhile, residents say the conditions have not changed for them.
