THE BRONX — Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. has called for reforms to the city's LinkNYC kiosks just one day after their official launch in the borough.
Diaz and others celebrated the official launch of LinkNYC in The Bronx on Tuesday, and he released a statement on Wednesday calling for reforms to the kiosks in the wake of complaints about people using them for pornography and drugs.
"After learning about the inappropriate and over-extended usage of LinkNYC kiosks throughout the city, in particular in Manhattan, it is time to make adjustments that will allow all of our city residents to use this service safely and comfortably," Diaz said.
He specifically called on the city to require that people register for using the kiosks and establish time limits on how long people can use them.
"The technology is there for us to use," Diaz said, "and it would allow more residents access to use these booths while preventing camping and behavior unsuitable for a public street."
The Bronx currently has 25 LinkNYC kiosks installed, although nine do not have Wi-Fi access yet. Most are located along the Grand Concourse from 149th Street to Kingsbridge Road.
More than 700 additional kiosks will be installed in the borough over the next several years.
The kiosks include free Wi-Fi, free domestic calls, a red 911 button, a tablet with Internet access and two USB charging ports.
Diaz referred to LinkNYC as a "giant step forward" in terms of providing New Yorkers with better communication at the time of its launch in The Bronx and maintained in a later statement that he still believes this.
"However," he continued, "now is the time to make the necessary adjustments to provide technological access while preventing less than wholesome usage."
Ruth Fasoldt, community affairs manager for LinkNYC, said in a statement that they were working with the city and communities to test possible adjustments to the system that would prevent kiosks from being "monopolized" by any person or group.
