The NYPD slowdown has led to a complete shutdown of traffic enforcement on the Upper West Side, with zero tickets given out between Dec. 29 and Jan. 4 for moving violations in either the 20th or 24th precincts compared to hundreds of tickets issued the year before, according to the New York Press.
The slowdown, which appears to have been orchestrated by the officers union to protest what they feel is disrespect from the mayor (union leaders now deny a coordinated slowdown), caused a citywide slump in police enforcement. Traffic offenses, in particular, have plunged. But while these may be considered “lower-level” offenses, they are also an important part of the mayor’s Vision Zero initiative.
On the Upper West Side, a slew of pedestrian deaths have energized the public to push for more enforcement of offenses like speeding and failure to yield as a deterrent to aggressive driving. Tickets did pick up last year, particularly in the 24th, but have recently disappeared entirely.
“From Dec. 29 to Jan. 4, the second week of the slowdown, police in the 24th Precinct on the Upper West Side issued zero parking tickets and zero moving violations, according to CompStat records. Last year over the same week officers in the 24th issued 188 parking tickets and 152 moving violations, which includes the ever-important summons for failing to yield to a pedestrian.
Citing department policy, 24th Precinct officers declined to comment.
That same trend applies to police in the 20th Precinct, which covers the lower half of the Upper West Side. From Dec. 29 to Jan. 4, police issued three parking tickets and zero moving violations. Last year over the same period they gave out 180 and 125, respectively.”
Commissioner Bratton says the numbers will likely rise in the coming weeks.
Thanks for reporting on how the police slowdown (as close to a strike as you can get while still showing up) affected traffic enforcement. Enforcement of speeding and other rules is an effective tactic in reducing crashes and pedestrian deaths and injury. But I hope the police will take other action as well, assuming they go back to work for real. For example, drivers typically obey the law when in the presence of a police car also obeying the law. You’re not going to speed up Amsterdam Ave. if you’re following a police car traveling at or below the speed limit. And you’re more likely to let pedestrians cross safely if a police officer is managing traffic.
I think since the police are not doing their jobs, their salaries paid by our taxes should be reduced proportionately. I am a tax paying law abiding citizen who as a pedestrian crosses with the light in marked crosswalks, and 9 times out of 10 has to dodge or wait for cars breaking the law. Now to think our paid law enforcement doesn’t feel compelled to uphold their oath of service is more than upsetting. The police deserve our respect, but we citizens
should receive the same in return.
Meh. The majority of New Yorkers don’t pay taxes, so they are getting the nation’s finest police protection for free! Gift horse! And I find it ironic that everyone (including DeBlasio & police critics) is celebrating police ticket-writing getting “back to normal levels,” when all this is is a regressive tax and blatant revenue grab for our swollen, voracious city gov’t.
A. I would really, really like to see a shred of evidence that a majority of NY’ers don’t pay taxes (4- and 97-year olds don’t count).
B. True, tickets are a regressive tax, but that was not the point; it’s a source of income, and police officers don’t get to decide.
The majority of New Yorkers don’t pay taxes? Really? How do I become a member of that majority?
RebeccaUWS, maybe you shouldn’t have voted for an idiot like DeBlasio who hates police. You want them to “do their jobs”, but when it comes to their protection against lawless thugs, you don’t care. Don’t be a typical hypocrite.
I’m sure you would be really motivated to do your job after your boss unfairly accused you of being racist and was critical of every thing you did, while throwing you under the bus for things not your fault. Then on top of that have two of your colleagues KILLED by an idiot motivated by your bosses rhetoric. Oh yeah, that same boss got his job by hurling unfair and untrue allegations at you as well.
I’m all for the NYPD slowdown as a form of protest against the jackass mayor warren wilhem. Oh and when your car gets broken into or you get assaulted make sure to let the police know that YOU pay their salary and they should work harder. they just love hearing that.
There is absolutely no proof of any kind that the two officers were killed by “by your boss’s rhetoric”. The killer was insane.
Richard states “I’m all for the NYPD slowdown as a form of protest”. You don’t have a problem with depriving the city of millions in lost ticket revenue? This needs to be made up in taxes paid by you and me and (drum roll) those very same officers! Brillliant thinking!
Eric Garner was choked on video and the officer waved to the camera and smiled. Do NOT fool anyone into thinking it was undeserved what De Blasio said to the cops. Thank GOD we finally have a mayor down to earth enough he could be honest about having conversations with his black son and police brutality. Good cops don’t stand up to the bad ones, not call cops are bad. But the higher ups ruin the entire NYPD turning it foul and in need of MAJOR adjustment. Did you check out the poll finding most New Yorkers disagree with the behavior of the police and support De Blasio? Welcome to the Upper West Side.
yes, of course, that is an absolutely accurate and unbiased description of what De Blasio said and did!
You hit the nail on the head. The NYPD wants more respect and yet has taken actions over the past few weeks that only worsen the public’s perception of them. It’s like telling a child they need to lower their voice and they respond by screaming, “I don’t wanna!” It really does not make me feel good at all about law enforcement in our city.
Very well said, Rebecca. Hear, hear.
Did the NYPD slow down affect traffic police on 96th & Broadway? I crossed the intersection a few days ago and noticed the traffic warden standing under the T-Mobile canopy doing nothing. After so many accidents at or near that intersection, the last being a 10 year old girl it concerns me that pedestrian safety is at risk.
Good for them!
“New York’s whiniest” indeed.
https://gothamist.com/2015/01/10/video_bill_maher_calls_nypd_new_yor.php
Good for the cops. If my boss accused me of racism and brutality all the while paying me pennies to do one of the most dangerous jobs in the world i’d slowdown too.
So the real problem is that police officers don’t get paid enough? Interesting point, but I haven’t heard anybody mention it, not even Pat Lynch.
ummm… De Blasio accused no one of “racism and brutality.” he just said something — in a really really mild way — that every parent of African American teenagers understands.
the anti-De Blasio people seem to be incredibly thin skinned.
Disgusting. You don’t stop helping civilians because your boss insulted you. And you certainly don’t get paid for doing nothing. If you criticize the cops, you are labeled a “cop hater”. Ridiculous, arrogant, frat boy mentality. Time for firings!