The NYPD has expanded its quality-of-life teams to every precinct on Staten Island, making it the final borough to receive the units, city officials announced Monday.
The department launched the “Q-Teams” in April to tackle everyday issues impacting New Yorkers. Their duties include cracking down on illegal mopeds, towing abandoned vehicles, cleaning encampments, addressing outdoor drug use and responding to noise complaints.
What You Need To Know
- The department launched the “Q-Teams” in April to tackle everyday issues impacting New Yorkers
- Staten Island became the final borough to receive the units on Monday
- Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said across the six pilot commands, the Q-Teams have already helped improve non-emergency call response times by an average of 50 minutes
“Staten Island is the gateway to our city success and prosperity, and today, we are helping continue this success and prosperity. We’re bringing a successful quality-of-life division right here to all of Staten Island,” Mayor Eric Adams said at a press event. “We say this over and over again, people must feel safe and they must be safe. They go together. And that is what we’re going to provide here.”
The initiative began in five precincts and a police service area before expanding across Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens throughout July and August.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said across the six pilot commands, the Q-Teams have already helped improve non-emergency call response times by an average of 50 minutes.
Data provided by City Hall shows the teams have towed more than 1,200 abandoned and derelict vehicles, seized more than 640 illegal e-bikes, scooters and mopeds and responded to tens of thousands of 911 and 311 calls since the launch.
The expansion comes two weeks after the NYPD reported that overall crime dropped 5.6% year over year in July, including a 49% decline in murders.