MOTT HAVEN, the Bronx (PIX11) — Just in time for the anticipated summer violence spike, the Bronx now has two NYPD commands for the first time, officials said.

Patrol Bronx North and Patrol Bronx South will bring nearly 200 additional police officers to the borough and will feature specialized units, like homicide, drug, and auto crime teams, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.

“It will bring more resources, more specialized units, and more leadership directly into Bronx communities,” Tisch said Thursday.

Assistant Chief Benjamin D. Gurley will oversee Bronx North, and Assistant Chief Brian C. Hennessy will oversee Bronx South. Bronx North will be at the current 48th Precinct and oversee the 46th, 47th, 48th, 49th, 50th, and 52nd precincts. Bronx South will be at the 40th Precinct and will cover the 40th, 41st, 42nd, 43rd, 44th, and 45th precincts.

Bronx residents generated nearly 1 million 911 calls last year, the highest in the city. Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens have long had two patrol commands to handle the volume of crimes.

“This is about equity and residents of the Bronx receiving the same quality police service,” the commissioner said.

Crime in the Bronx was down in April and year-to-date, with a 15.5% and 11% decrease, respectively, police said. Shooting incidents were down 58% in April, and the borough recorded only four murders, officials said.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced more than 2,600 officers will patrol the highest crime parts of the city at night and early morning across the five boroughs.

“Our city is experiencing historic declines in crime and violence, and the creation of a second command center in the Bronx will help us build on that progress,” Mamdani said.

Mira Wassef is an award-winning reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She joined the PIX11 News digital team in 2022. See more of her work here.

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