Q&A
Discussion on home visits and credible messengers to deter subway surfing
1:09:26
·
164 sec
Council Member Yusef Salaam inquires about the use of credible messengers during home visits to deter subway surfing. NYPD Chief of Transit Joseph Gulotta responds, explaining their current approach and plans for using credible messengers.
- NYPD has been conducting home visits to repeat offenders, particularly in Queens and the Rockaways
- Detectives familiar with the neighborhoods are involved in these visits
- The visits have been impactful, with some youth indicating they will stop subway surfing
- NYPD is working on involving former subway surfers as credible messengers in their outreach efforts
Yusef Salaam
1:09:26
In that same regard, I'm I'm thinking about those visits that have been happening where, you know, the MRPD may show up at the home of the, I don't wanna call them offender, you know, but, you know, perhaps maybe bringing credible messengers like the I know you said something about the 17 year old.
1:09:51
In in my estimate, that's a old person as well when it talks about subway surfing when you have 9 year olds or people as young as 9 year olds and maybe even younger, unfortunately.
1:10:02
But I'm wondering in terms of that, has there been any thought about bringing those types of credible messengers either to the homes when there's visits being made to deter children from participating in this risky behavior, from folks who are credible messengers?
Michael Kemper
1:10:24
So I'll I'll give it to chief Galattern.
1:10:25
The answer is yes.
1:10:27
And and and to your point, to it's, again, we just had this conversation, at least another conversation, on this exact, topic.
1:10:38
We we spoke about refreshing, this campaign, the ride inside Stay Life campaign, and, you're probably gonna see exactly what you're talking about in Napa.
1:10:48
Joe?
Joseph Gulotta
1:10:49
And, Shae Salome, I couldn't agree with you more about the credible messenger part of it.
1:10:53
So when I took over approximately 3 weeks ago, when we had one of the deaths, one of the things I noticed right away was where it was occurring.
1:11:01
Big part of it would be in Queens and the Rockaways, along those lines.
1:11:05
I have 2 detectives that, came with me from my previous assignment.
1:11:09
1, grew up right down Roosevelt Avenue, shadow with a 7 line.
1:11:13
The other grew up in the in the Far Rockaways.
1:11:15
I immediately saw the need for them to get out there and visit with the 44 repeat offenders that we had.
1:11:22
That was impactful.
1:11:24
They got out there to the top ten, and they're still doing them to the to this day.
1:11:28
And they're from that neighborhood.
1:11:30
One of my detectives grew up right a block away from the 7 line.
1:11:33
The other takes the a train every day to work.
1:11:36
They went out and talked to the parents, and I believe that had a significant significance.
1:11:40
One mother almost collapsed to the floor when they knocked on the door because she thought us her son had died from subway surfing.
1:11:47
To that end, I think we're close to getting a few of the young people that we've talked to to be that credible messenger.
1:11:53
And that's gonna be the goal going forward of these visits.
1:11:56
It's a deterrent, but it's also you know, some of the information they gave us was so invaluable about why it's done, how it's done, and a few said we're not doing anymore.
1:12:06
So those are the ones we're looking to really concentrate and to be our credible message to go forward with us.
