NEWYORK: New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch announced a citywide expansion of the NYPD’s Quality of Life Division — a strategic public safety initiative Mayor Adams and Commissioner Tisch launched in April 2025 to address everyday issues that impact New Yorkers’ sense of safety and well-being.
The announcement came by the City Mayor Eric Adams, police commissioner while holding a press briefing along with New York City Councilwoman Mercedes and Council of People’s Organizations head Mohammad Rizvi.
The move follows the success of a pilot program launched in April 2025, which aimed to address public complaints quickly and effectively against factors that affect daily life.
During the press conference, Mayor Eric Adams said that public safety is not just a matter of crime statistics, but also a sense of security for citizens. When people step out of their doors, they want to see cleanliness, order and the rule of law on the streets.
He added that illegal vending, open drug use, closed sidewalks, piles of garbage and abandoned vehicles are issues that make people feel unsafe and are now being addressed. Under the Q-State program, more than 7,500 311 and 911 complaints were resolved in just 60 days. More than 350 arrests were made. More than 6,100 encroachments were removed.
“Keeping New Yorkers safe and tackling quality-of-life issues has been our North Star since day one — that is why we launched the NYPD Quality of Life Division, and it’s why we’re expanding it across the city today,” said Mayor Adams.
“The first 60 days of this pilot has been a resounding success; in just the six pilot commands, the Quality of Life Division has answered the call from our communities more than 7,500 times — handling thousands of 911 and 311 complaints, issuing over 6,100 summonses, making more than 350 arrests, and removing hundreds of illegally parked vehicles, illegal mopeds, and scooters. Today, we are continuing to sweep out crime and deliver on safety by expanding this program citywide because every New Yorker deserves to live in a neighborhood that is safe from gun violence, that has clean streets, and that is free from illegal activities — and we are delivering that to them every day, everywhere.”
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said that this campaign is not a return to the zero-tolerance policy, but a response to a real citizen complaint.
The Commissioner gave the example of the Flat Iron area, where there was a traffic and noise problem due to illegal pedi cabs. Q-Teams took action there and improved the situation.
“In just two months, the Quality of Life Division has done exactly what we set out to do: respond quickly, stay focused, and address the issues New Yorkers are calling about,” said NYPD Commissioner Tisch.
“Now, we’re scaling that success citywide. From illegal smoke shops to abandoned vehicles to reckless mopeds, these are the problems people see every day and expect action on. This expansion is about bringing that same responsiveness to every neighborhood in every borough. And thanks to Mayor Adams’ support, we’re making sure New Yorkers not only are safe, but feel safe — on their block, on their train, and outside their front door.”
COPO Head Mohammad Rizvi said that his friend, Rabbi Michael Miller, was involved in an accident on an illegal e-bike, after which he was in the hospital for several weeks. The mayor’s effort has given us hope that we and our children will be able to move around New York safely.
To a query by a reporter as whether streets could be dedicated to pedestrians, from car drivers, Mayor Adams said he would make a decision after consulting with local leaders and civic organizations. Mayor Adams made it clear that this is not just a problem of arrests, but a commitment to improving daily life.
“Every day, our constituents reach out to my office about quality of life issues, from noise complaints to illegal dumping and everything in between,” said New York City Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse. “These are the things that directly affect how safe and comfortable people feel in their neighborhoods. I’m encouraged to see steps being taken to address these concerns and respond more quickly to the issues that matter to New Yorkers.”
“As the Public Safety Chair, it is important, as we enter the warmer months and more New Yorkers get out and enjoy our great city, that we address the safety needs of all New Yorkers and de-escalate situations proactively with the right personnel,” said New York City Councilmember Yusef Salaam.
“Expansion of the Quality of Life Division, I hope, is a step in the right direction. This is about a parent being able to walk down a sidewalk and not fear being run down by a bike or a noise complaint not escalating. Training combined with the data from Q Stat are accountability tools which we hope will provide data and contribute to increased public safety.”
“I applaud Mayor Adams and Commissioner Tisch for launching the citywide expansion of the NYPD’s Quality of Life Division — a strategic public safety initiative that will address quality of life issues and respond to emergencies in real time,” said New York State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud.
“Vulnerable communities will benefit from this expanded service that will enhance public safety and build trust between communities and law enforcement. It is also an indication that we understand that addressing quality of life issues is important to everyone.”
In the first 60 days of the pilot program — launched in the 13th, 40th, 60th, 75th, and 101st precincts, along with Police Service Area 1 — the NYPD responded to more than 7,500 emergency 911 and 311 quality-of-life calls, issued over 6,100 summonses, and made 357 arrests. During the same period, average 311 response times in those areas improved by more than 16 minutes. Building on those results, the NYPD will now expand Quality of Life Teams — or Q-Teams — to every precinct and public housing command in the five boroughs. The rollout will occur in two phases, beginning in July and continuing in August.
