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Q&A
Council Member Krishnan questions Parks Department on PEP officer staffing and deployment
1:28:41
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3 min
Council Member Shekar Krishnan engages in a discussion with Parks Department officials about the staffing and deployment of Parks Enforcement Patrol (PEP) officers across New York City. The conversation highlights concerns about the limited number of PEP officers available to cover all parks in each borough and questions the effectiveness of current staffing levels in ensuring public safety.
- The Parks Department reports having about 350 PEP officers for the entire city, roughly 70 per borough.
- Commissioner Susan Donoghue explains that PEP officers are deployed strategically, focusing on high-usage parks and areas with quality of life concerns.
- Krishnan expresses skepticism about the adequacy of current staffing levels for both PEP officers and forestry staff, questioning the administration's ability to keep parks safe and address climate change concerns.
Shekar Krishnan
1:28:41
you, council member.
1:28:43
Before going to our next colleague, just wanted to focus on another area.
1:28:46
We talked about forestry for a bit.
1:28:48
Our Parks Enforcement Patrol, our PAP officers.
Jennifer Greenfeld
1:28:50
Mhmm.
Shekar Krishnan
1:28:50
They play a crucial role in our park system, keeping them safe and on their on their duty.
1:28:56
But how many PEP officers do we have for all of New York City?
Susan Donoghue
1:29:00
Thank you council member for the question.
1:29:03
The budgeted tax levy headcount for the PEP division is three sixty nine with an active head count of three forty six.
Shekar Krishnan
1:29:12
So roughly about three fifty PEP officers, again, for all of New York City.
1:29:19
That's about 70 PEP officers per borough, Right?
1:29:25
How can you tell me, what is the schedule of the PEP officers?
1:29:29
I mean, are they able how are 70 PEP officers throughout an entire borough of Queens, let's say, how do they get around to all their parks?
1:29:37
What is their schedule?
1:29:38
Are there parks that are not getting any officers?
1:29:40
How do you how does the Parks Department work with 70 PEP officers for far more park space than the number of staff they have?
Susan Donoghue
1:29:48
Just bear with me one sec.
1:29:50
Where were you?
1:29:53
So we work hard, council member, to deploy our PEP officers in a manner that's equitable across the five boroughs.
1:30:02
PEP, in terms of schedule, deployment hours really vary based on enforcement needs, but PEP officers generally work hours ranging from 7AM to midnight throughout the city.
1:30:17
There are instances where officers may start or end earlier based on the needs of the boroughs, but we are looking to provide PEP coverage, you know, in the areas where they're needed most, they are some of our PEP officers are mobile, so we provide coverage through mobile patrols, fixed post patrols.
1:30:41
Patrol methods also include by foot, by bicycle, we have mounted horses, we have vehicles, so a wide range of different ways that we cover our park system.
Shekar Krishnan
1:30:53
And but, you know, the the math isn't mathing.
1:30:57
Right?
1:30:57
If there's 70 PEP officers per borough, I'm I'm having a hard time seeing how they are able to cover all the different parks in that borough.
1:31:05
So are there parks that don't have PEP officers, or do the schedules have to be truncated and changed so they can move around to all the parks?
1:31:13
How does that work?
Susan Donoghue
1:31:14
You know, our PEP officers are deployed, as I said, strategically, equitably, much as we can across the city.
1:31:22
They're generally focused on parks with high usage or where there are pressing quality of life concerns, and we also are very reliant on partnership with PD, so we work very closely together with PD to cover, you know, areas and to work in partnership.
1:31:38
But it's really we're looking to spread them as best we can to high need areas.
Shekar Krishnan
1:31:43
So 40 forestry staff per borough in a time when we're seeing so many wildfires.
1:31:51
70 PEP officers per borough, in this moment.
1:31:56
And isn't it your understanding, Commissioner, that Mayor Adams' priority is public safety in our city?
1:32:01
Yes, absolutely.
1:32:02
Keeping New Yorkers safe?
Susan Donoghue
1:32:04
Mhmm.
Shekar Krishnan
1:32:04
Safe, when they're in their parks, safe from wildfires?
1:32:10
Wouldn't you agree those are priorities of the mayor?
Susan Donoghue
1:32:12
Those are priorities of the mayor.
1:32:14
They're priorities of our agency as well.
Shekar Krishnan
1:32:16
I cannot understand how with so few resources, this administration is able to keep its parks and our city safe, able to keep, all of us as New Yorkers safe from climate change.
1:32:29
It's shocking to look at the disparity between the needs the Parks Department on each of these issues and the staffing you have in place.
1:32:36
Turn it over to the council member Ressler for questions.