December 26, 2014
By Stephanie West
In an effort to improve policing in New York City, the city has invested an additional $352 million in the NYPD’s budget to enhance training and upgrade technology. The Mayor has also made major investments to improve NYPD facilities, including $110 million in capital funds to rehabilitate precinct houses.
According to the Mayors Office, communication technology is going through a comprehensive evolution and upgrading at both the precinct level and headquarters. Smartphones for all 35,000 officers have been ordered and 6,000 tablets for police cruisers will be in place shortly. This will enable more rapid distribution of alerts, images and directives. Training procedures and professional development is being updated for the entire force. The city invested $20 million to fund expansion of the NYPD's high-bandwidth fiber network, which enables real-time transmission of law enforcement and public safety data from NYPD's extensive public safety camera network.
A comprehensive program of crime prevention has been instituted to reduce violent crime in NYCHA housing. This includes increasing exterior security cameras, camera connection to NYPD networks, lobby and elevator cameras, new doors, layered access, and improved exterior lighting.
While homicides are down nearly 4 percent and overall crime is down nearly 5 percent, Commissioner Bratton is aggressively working with precinct commanders to continue reducing serious crime in the city.
Under the commissioner, misconduct complaints filed against NYPD have declined significantly during second half of 2014 – the largest decline over a five-month period since the CCRB was created in 1993.
"I’ve said it many, many times," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "The New York City Police Department is the world’s finest. We see it over and over again, every day."
