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QUESTION

What measures are being taken to address syringe litter in New York City parks?

4:21:19

·

126 sec

The council member is informed that the NYC Parks Department tracks syringe litter data and uses it to deploy their Parks Enforcement Patrol (PEP) officers to areas with high syringe litter.

Parks staff who work in areas with high syringe litter receive bloodborne pathogen training and proper protective equipment
Any maintenance staff can deal with discarded syringes after receiving the required training
The Parks Department installs syringe disposal kiosks in some parks to reduce the need for staff to directly handle syringes
Parks staff across all boroughs work to quickly remove syringe litter from park grounds

Sue Donoghue

4:21:19

We are very focused on syringe litter something that we monitor regularly.

4:21:27

Our PEP officers are deployed in specific areas to make sure we're addressing issues of syringe litter.

4:21:35

Or you just wanted to talk specifically, I know we've worked with some other groups too about Who is

Justin L. Brannan

4:21:40

this where are you in?

Sue Donoghue

4:21:41

Oh, so sorry.

4:21:42

Yes.

UNKNOWN

4:21:43

Was I say your name, please?

Margaret Nelson

4:21:44

Margaret Nelson.

UNKNOWN

4:21:46

Do you affirm to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth before this committee and to respond, honestly, to counsel member questions.

Margaret Nelson

4:21:50

I do.

UNKNOWN

4:21:51

Thank you.

Margaret Nelson

4:21:54

As the commissioner said, you know, we are tracking syringe litter.

4:21:57

So every time a syringe is picked up by our staff, it is going into an application, and we are tracking that.

4:22:03

So we have data by park.

4:22:05

On what we're seeing on a monthly basis.

4:22:08

And we do use, excuse me, we use that information.

4:22:11

As our commissioner said, to look at PEP deployment in terms of trying to provide some increased security presence.

4:22:20

But I would also I would defer to our commissioner folk in terms of staffing for the syringe litter pickup.

4:22:26

Again, we do have kiosks that we install in certain parks with the idea being that any syringe that is put in a kiosk is one syringe that our staff don't have to pick up off the ground.

4:22:38

But I know our staff, you know, does a tremendous work across our all the boroughs in terms of trying to get to Soren's litter as as it falls down or is put on the ground.

4:22:48

So

Mark Focht

4:22:50

I would just add that all staff in areas where we've had hot spots for syringe litter, which have historically been South Bronx, Northern Manhattan, and some other select places around the city.

4:23:01

All the staff that maintain those parks have been trained with blood borne pathogen training, and they're outfitted with highest standard of PPE gloves and equipment.

4:23:10

Basically, any MNO staff can deal with the discarded syringe.

4:23:13

It does it's not a specific type of staff member not a specific number.

4:23:18

It's any MNO staff is trained with blood 1 pathogen training.

Pierina Ana Sanchez

4:23:23

Got it.

4:23:24

Thank you.

4:23:25

That's really helpful.

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