Some residents told NPR that they have seen considerable change in the neighborhoods, and believe the plan is working. Others said they were not aware of the initiative, and haven't noticed any differences.
"We are talking about families and residents who have been dealing with some really traumatic situations for a pretty significant period of time. Six months of city hall investment is not going to undo that," said Monique Baptiste-Good, a Clinton Hill resident and director of the Strong, Healthy Communities Initiative.
Though she said she supported the program, Baptiste-Good argued that it needs to be the beginning of a continued effort. Before there can be real progress, residents will "have to believe" that the neighborhoods can be better, she said.
Baraka agreed.
"I just had it dawn on me that six months of attention will never match 40 years of neglect," Baraka told NPR.