THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) — The Bronx will be getting around 200 more police officers after the borough is split into two NYPD commands this spring, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
Bronx residents generated nearly 1 million service calls last year, leading the department to divide the borough into two patrol commands for the first time, Tisch said during the State of the NYPD address at Cipriani’s in Midtown on Tuesday.
Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens have long had two patrol commands to handle the volume of crimes. The Bronx will now have Bronx North and Bronx South commands, including special units for homicide, evidence collection, narcotics, and auto crimes.
“Bronx residents have raised this for years. They’re not asking for special treatment. They’re asking a fair question about fairness and capacity,” Tisch said. “They are right to expect better.”
Last year, the Bronx accounted for more than one-third of all shooting incidents and shooting victims citywide, roughly three times as many as Queens and Manhattan, police said. The borough had more major crimes than Manhattan and Queens, and nearly the same as Brooklyn.
“For too long, the Bronx has experienced more crime per capita than any other borough while operating under a structure that has not kept pace with the demands placed on it,” Tisch said.
“The command structure will finally match the Bronx as it exists today,” she added.
The address comes as the NYPD announced the fewest number of shooting incidents, shooting victims, and murders for January. Murders were down 60% and shootings down 20%. Citywide, overall major crime was down 6.7%, according to the police department.
Tisch also officially announced the newest co-chaplains of the department, Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Rev. A.R. Bernard.
Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.
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