Coalition Includes NYPD, Homeless Services, Health, Sanitation, and Local Partners to Create a Cleaner, Safer, and More Vibrant Neighborhood
Our Bureau
New York, NY
New York City Mayor Eric Adams was joined on Thursday by New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Edward A. Caban, New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Commissioner Jessica Tisch, New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Administrator Joslyn Carter, and New York City Department of Mental Health and Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan to announce a targeted multi-agency enforcement strategy on 14th Street between 1st Avenue and Avenue A in Lower Manhattan to protect public safety and improve quality of life. Part of the Adams administration’s “Community Link” initiative, the “14th Street Community Improvement Coalition” is a result of an ongoing partnership between the Adams administration and community partners to address recent deterioration in the neighborhood, and is anchored by a $1 million investment for a new Mobile Command Center to be placed on 14th Street, secured as part of the fiscally-responsible $112.4 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Adopted Budget passed in June.
The multi-agency coalition will work to address a range of public safety issues, including illegal vending, retail theft, substance use, the mental health crisis, beautification, cumbersome scaffolding that drives quality-of-life issues, unlicensed cannabis shops, and more. Over the past several weeks, multi-agency teams have been deployed on walkthroughs to observe issues in real time and speak with local community members and businesses on the ground. They have also identified specific individuals in the area who may need connections to services, such as housing or medical care, and make referrals to the appropriate city agency or service provider. Additionally, to facilitate direct lines of communication between the community and police, the 9th and 13th Police Precincts have established a WhatsApp chat with business owners on the East 14th Street corridor to identify and address issues in real time and offer a unique channel to respond to community concerns.
“When we came into office, we had a clear mission: protect public safety, rebuild our economy, and make our city more affordable and livable, and the ‘14th Street Community Improvement Coalition’ precisely addresses these concerns — enhancing quality of life and making the East Village safer,” said Mayor Adams. “Our administration does not and will not tolerate an atmosphere where anything goes. That’s why our multi-agency approach, working in partnership with local elected officials and community members, will keep our streets safe and our businesses thriving, and we are already seeing an impact — with crime dropping in both the 9th and 13th Police Precincts this year. Additionally, our efforts are being anchored by a $1 million investment in a new NYPD Mobile Command Center, which will maintain a visible presence and allow our law enforcement to be mobile to meet the communities’ needs. I thank Councilmember Powers and Councilmember Rivera for their partnership on this important initiative.”
“For years, I have called for solutions to address the persistent problems on 14th Street,” said New York City Councilmember Keith Powers. “I live across the street in Stuyvesant Town and I walk this block every day. The ‘14th Street Community Improvement Coalition’ is the type of effort we need to maintain the progress made over the course of the last month in cleaning up our neighborhood. I am grateful to Mayor Adams and his team for recognizing the need for these resources and allocating them appropriately. My neighbors and I know how critical it will be to maintain this so that folks can continue to feel safe.”
The community is served by the 9th and 13th Police Precincts, where officers have worked diligently and collaboratively to reduce crime and address community concerns. Overall major crime in the 9th Precinct has decreased 29.1 percent year to date, from 1,058 reported crimes in 2023 to 750 reported this year. Overall major crime in the 13th Precinct has decreased 6.8 percent year to date, from 1,016 reported crimes in 2023 to 947 this year. While the community has seen these substantial drops in crime, recent incidents have still caused community concern.
The 14th Street Community Improvement Coalition will also feature a $1 million investment for a state-of-the-art Mobile Command Center, secured in the FY25 Adopted Budget. The vehicle will initially be stationed in the vicinity of 14th Street between 1st Avenue and Avenue A and the NYPD will maintain the flexibility to relocate the unit as circumstances dictate. The Mobile Command Center will be staffed by NYPD uniformed officers and will serve as a central hub for law enforcement operations in the area. It will have the capacity to facilitate communication and coordination among officers — ensuring efficient and effective responses to all manner of quality-of-life conditions, incidents of crime, and major events.
