NYPD Expands Quality of Life Teams to All of Brooklyn

The New York Police Department has extended its specialized quality-of-life units to cover every neighborhood in Brooklyn, following successful pilot programs that addressed common city concerns, officials announced.

Since their pilot launch in six precincts this April, these teams have responded to over 23,400 non-emergency calls, tackling issues like illegal mopeds, homeless encampments, drug activity, abandoned vehicles, and noise complaints. The initiative has demonstrated significant progress, with efforts towed 640 abandoned vehicles and seized nearly 300 illegal e-bikes and scooters.

Mayor Eric Adams highlighted that the expanded teams have played a crucial role in improving safety perceptions. “We know that people were not feeling safe,” he stated, emphasizing that the initiative had already shown promising results in reducing response times and addressing neighborhood concerns.

The program aims to bring comprehensive coverage to all boroughs, with Queens targeted for coverage by August 11 and Staten Island by August 18. With the additional units, response times for non-emergency calls have improved by nearly 50 minutes on average.

Sir, the teams have also played a vital role in removing trash vehicles and cracking down on illegal scooters, which has contributed to safer and cleaner neighborhoods. The expansion signifies an effort to maintain these gains citywide, especially in the largest borough, Brooklyn.

In addition, citywide statistics show a decline in violent incidents, with July recording the lowest number of shootings in nearly three decades, further reflecting successful community safety strategies.