One year since Christina Yuna Lee was brutally stabbed to death inside her Chinatown apartment, locals say the area of Sara Roosevelt Park — steps away from her former home — remains rife with drug use and the mentally ill.
The area’s decay remains for all to see, almost one year to the day since Lee, 35, was fatally stabbed about 40 times during the early hours of Feb. 13, 2022. The attack, which led to the arrest of 25-year-old Assamad Nash, sent shock waves throughout the city and cast a grim spotlight on the nearby Sara Roosevelt Park, along with the prevalence of drug abuse and mental health issues plaguing the area.
Over the last year, amNewYork Metro has observed the park which stands adjacent to the apartment where Yuna Lee was brutally murdered. While the temperature has dramatically changed from this time last year, very little else has, according to locals.
Sara D. Roosevelt Park stretches through East Houston Street, Canal Street, Christie Street and Forsyth Street, and has become somewhat of a haven for Lower Manhattan’s forgotten and downtrodden; a byproduct of this is also drug use and violence resulting from those looking to take advantage of the plight of others.
The area has improved over the years, although marginally, said one man who works in the neighborhood.
“It’s like a zombie land over here but it used to be a lot worse. They will pass out right here on this sidewalk,” Frank said, a worker at a nearby warehouse who didn’t want to disclose his last name.
Frank said that the NYPD and the Parks Department have attempted to address the issues.
“The police and the park rangers, or whatever you call them, try to clear it out and chase them away. It’s still going on, but not as much as it used to be.”
amNewYork Metro observed several drug exchanges throughout the park, including individuals slumped over and using drugs.
There has also been an uptick in assaults in recent times in the 5th Precinct, of which Sara…
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