NEWYORK: New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch announced the formation of the NYPD’s new Quality of Life Division — a citywide public safety initiative focused on enhancing trust between communities and the police while addressing everyday issues that impact New Yorkers’ sense of safety and well-being.
The Quality of Life Division will unite specially-trained officers from various existing community-oriented roles — including neighborhood coordination officers, youth coordination officers, and traffic safety officers — into a citywide effort to tackle persistent quality-of-life concerns.
Non-emergency 311 concerns, such as noise complaints, illegal parking, homelessness-related issues, outdoor drug use, aggressive panhandling, and other issues that affect New Yorkers’ everyday life, have risen steadily across the five boroughs over the last six years.
The Quality of Life Division is the NYPD’s latest effort to respond urgently to these problems, ensuring every concerned New Yorker feels seen, heard, and — most importantly — safe.
“Since day one, this administration has been clear: We will not tolerate an atmosphere where anything goes, and today, we are taking public safety to the next level with the creation of a new NYPD Quality of Life Division,” said Mayor Adams.
“Issues like illegal vending, substance use, abandoned vehicles, illegal mopeds, reckless driving, and more have persisted for far too long. We will not rest until we have addressed the issues that affect the lives of everyday New Yorkers, and we will continue to make every borough, every neighborhood, and every block safer across our city. Together, we will protect public safety and make New York City the best place to raise a family.”
“Thanks to the incredible work of the women and men in blue, we’ve seen historic declines in major crimes across the city,” said NYPD Commissioner Tisch.
“Now, we’re turning our attention toward the issues that New Yorkers see and feel every day — the things that don’t always make headlines but deeply impact how people live. Every New Yorker deserves to feel safe, and the Quality of Life Division will take a direct approach to address these issues impacting our streets and public housing developments. I am thankful for Mayor Adams’ support as we take the necessary steps to strengthen the trust between our officers and the communities they serve.”
“Through this program, we not only ensure a more responsive police force but also reinforce the importance of community trust,” said New York State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud.
“The Quality of Life Division reflects a commitment to improving public safety by being proactive and addressing quality-of-life concerns before they escalate, while ensuring all New Yorkers feel safe, respected, and heard.”
“I applaud Mayor Eric Adams and Commissioner Tisch for the launch of the new NYPD Quality of Life Division,” said New York State Assemblymember Nikki Lucas.
“Communities across our City deserve to have quality of life issues prioritized, while leaving a positive impact in neighborhoods where trust for NYPD has been diminished.”
“Quality-of-life issues, when left unaddressed, can erode public confidence and fuel a sense of disorder,” said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.
“I commend Mayor Adams and Commissioner Tisch for launching this new division, which brings together officers already working closely with our communities to respond more effectively and respectfully to the concerns that matter most to New Yorkers. This thoughtful approach has the potential to strengthen public trust and promote safety in every neighborhood.”
“Community well-being and New Yorkers’ quality of life are important elements of public safety,” said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Jr.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the NYPD on our shared missions.”
“All New Yorkers have a fundamental right to feel safe in their homes and on the streets of our city,” said New York City Councilmember Keith Powers.
“Data has shown that quality-of-life issues have risen over the last few years. The formation of the NYPD’s new Quality of Life Division will decrease response times and allow everyday New Yorkers to know that their non-emergency needs are being handled with expediency.”
“The NYPD’s new Quality of Life Division will be a partner in making sure we are addressing the persistent, everyday issues our neighbors care about most,” said New York City Councilmember Justin Brannan.
“Coney Island’s inclusion in the pilot rollout is going to be a big deal – in a neighborhood where we’ve too often been left without the resources we need, and this program will offer a go-to team to address neighborhood conditions with the care and specificity we deserve. I look forward to working with both neighbors and the NYPD to make sure this program is a rolled out in a way that makes life better for everyone who calls Coney Island home, even when it’s not beach weather.”
“I get just as many quality of life complaints from constituents,” said New York City Councilmember Inna Vernikov. “This is a really good idea and I look forward to working with this new division of the NYPD. It’s sorely needed.”
