Local elected officials and residents are accusing the Department of Homeless Services of failing to protect those who live near a Bronx homeless shelter.

Lawmakers called for the shutdown of the Project Renewal Shelter after a former resident abducted and killed director Ana Charle on Monday night. They said more than 1,000 911 phone calls complaining about security issues had been made since last year. Councilman Andrew Cohen said he and other City Council members had been reaching out to DHS for "months and months and months" asking them to improve security.

Charle was allegedly killed by West Spruill, an ex-con who had lived in the shelter. He ordered her into the back of his Honda, told her to undress and attempted to rape her. She managed to break free, but Spruill shot her three times-- in the cheek, temple and chest-- as she ran off. She was left dead on the sidewalk as he fled.

The city says it approved a $40,000 increase in funding for security for the shelter last week, and an additional $50,000 in the next fiscal year.