NYPD’s neighborhood safety teams begin patrols Monday

NEW YORK — The NYPD’s new neighborhood safety teams will hit the streets for the first time Monday.

The new teams will be focusing on gun violence and pay close attention to 30 precincts where 80% of violent crimes happen, according to the department.

The initiative is part of Mayor Eric Adams’ “Blueprint to End Gun Violence,” in which he promised there would be identifiable police officers tackling gun control.

The plan is a deviation from the NYPD’s controversial plainclothes teams that were disbanded in 2020.

The teams will wear body cameras and clothing that clearly states “NYPD” and will have enhanced training and oversight, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said Friday.

“We actually needed to take a look at the mistakes of the past and what we needed to change. The officers are being trained in the Constitution, community interaction, car stops [and] use of force,” she said.

Sewell noted that “there’s also a community input component” to the officer’s training.

The new neighborhood safety teams will be rolling out with 25 commands starting Monday. The department said more officers will continue to be added as they complete training.