The NYPD brings towed cars here but in a few years inmates will take their place.  This after the City Council voted to replace the large, troubled jail on Rikers Island with four new smaller jails, one in every borough except Staten Island.

“I’m worried about the neighborhood. Not about me, about the children who Live in the neighborhood. I’m scared about that,” said Jose Rosacruz.

This site for the Bronx jail on East 141st street borders port Morris and Mott Haven, two communities that have been on the rebound. The city is closing Rikers in the name of criminal justice reform...but the historic action angers many people who live in this residential neighborhood, which has two schools.

“They could close Rikers because Rikers is garbage but I don’t think they should put little jails all around the city. They should probably put a bigger one some more where else, far away from civilization,” said Chernay Nesbit, a parent.

Some residents we spoke to who have been living here for a long time say the quality of life in the area has improved over the last few years. They’re worried that a new jail here will take them backwards.

“Whether it’s incinerators, whether it’s dumpsters, homeless housing, half-way houses. You name it. We have it,” said Julio Pabón, a community activist.

Activist Julio Pabon is part of a coalition that's been trying to block the new jail since mayor de Blasio announced the close Rikers plan. Pabón says that instead of spending billions of dollars building jails, the money should go to fixing Rikers.

“I’m tired of the title, the poorest congressional district. Well, hell we’re not going to leave that title if we just keep on investing in programs like that rather than in better schools, better housing and better jobs for people,” said Pabón.

Councilman Rafael Salamanca Jr, who represents a nearby district, voted against the jail plan, arguing the de Blasio administration has not addressed community concerns. He says the city should build the new jail near the Bronx County courthouse instead.

Some residents are hoping for positive change.

“Once they build it up. We’ll see what actually is going on. The environment might change because a lot of criminal activity might stop only because there’s a jail that’s close to everybody. It might make people a little wiser,” said Curtis Agyare, a resident.

The city's plan calls for a 19-story jail, that would open by 2026.