CM Ydanis Rodriquez’s Statement: “On December 2019, I was proud to join Mayor de Blasio, Melinda Hunt, President of the Hart Island Project, family and loved ones of people currently buried at Hart Island, and advocates as we signed into law Intro. 906-A, a bill I introduced to the Council transferring the jurisdiction and control over Hart Island, the City’s public burial ground, from the Department of Corrections (DOC) to the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). Family and loved ones of those buried at Hart Island should be free to visit their loved ones whenever they wish without having to be chaperoned by correctional officers.

Last Sunday, NYC Parks Rangers began leading guided gravesite visits for loved ones of those buried on the island, taking over the DOC uniformed personnel’s duties. These visitation opportunities for loved ones will be offered on a regular basis. In accordance with the City’s existing practice, these visits have limited capacity and must be pre-arranged. Additional information is slowly being rolled out, more to come in the near future. I would like to thank everyone that has worked tirelessly to make this possible.”