Wong introduces Intro 984 on NYPD street takeover unit
Council Member Phil Wong introduces Intro 984, establishing a permanent citywide NYPD street takeover unit, prompted by a dangerous April 18th takeover in his district involving 100 vehicles and a fire between two gas stations. The bill would codify Patrol Borough Queens North's approach, expand it citywide, and require NYPD reporting to the Council.
Councilmember Wong, followed by Santos Suoso.
Thank you, Majority Leader.
Today I'm introducing Intro 984, a legislation to formally establish a permanent citywide NYPD street takeover unit.
This bill was prompted by the dangerous April 18th takeover at 69th Street and Elliott Avenue in my district, where nearly 100 vehicles blocked the intersection,
drivers performed stunts around a fire in the Broadway between two gas stations, and individuals damaged a mock police vehicle.
Similar incidents across the city have shown that too often the response comes too late and meaningful prevention is lacking.
Patrol Borough Queens North has already taken an important step by deploying a team to address these incidents.
Intro 984 would codify that approach into law, expand it citywide, establish a unit to monitor publicly available information about planned takeovers and require
the NYPD to report to the council so we can measure its effectiveness and ensure proper oversight.
But a specialized unit alone is not enough.
We also need more police officers assigned to our local precincts so they have the staffing necessary to prevent these incidents.
Respond quickly, and maintain public safety throughout our neighborhoods.
I ask my colleagues to sign on to Intro 984 so we can advance a serious, permanent, and accountable solution to this growing public safety threat.
Thank you.
Councilmember Thomas Henry, followed by Sanchez.