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THE CITY OF NEW YORK
NEW YORK, NY 10007 PARKS AND RECREATION
(212) 788-7381 ROBERT HOLDEN --------
COUNCIL MEMBER, 30TH DISTRICT, QUEENS IRISH CAUCUS

February 2, 2022

Hon. Eric Adams Keechant L. Sewell, Commissioner

Mayor New York Police Department (NYPD)
City of New York 1 Police Plaza
City Hall New York, NY 10038
New York, NY 10007

Dear Mayor Adams,

I request that you establish a taskforce to review the poor conditions of police precincts and
present a plan to modernize police infrastructure. As you experienced first-hand, police officers
are forced to work in sub-par buildings that need an overhaul.

Some of these precincts were constructed by the Works Progress Administration during the
1930s. As neighborhoods grew and expanded, too many police precincts operated out of the same
buildings with minimal upgrades. During a recent tour of the five precincts in the 30th Council
District, I saw terrible working conditions for our heroes in blue. Buildings in need of repair,
overcrowding inside the precinct and an overflow of vehicles outside the precinct, are just some
the most obvious problems.

Poor working conditions not only effect morale but have an impact on crime victims, as well. At
the 104th Precinct, victims of domestic violence meet with police officers under a stairwell in the
basement. I understand addressing this issue was delayed due to COVID. However, the problem
persists without an end in sight. This is just one example of the numerous problems that come
with operating in older buildings that are no longer suitable for the NYPD. A capital project
should be planned to expand and upgrade police precincts or move police precincts to larger
spaces that can accommodate the personnel and their vehicles.

As you know from experience, an NYPD officer has one of the toughest jobs in the city.
Maintaining a positive mental attitude, day after day, can be challenging. While some aspects of
the job we cannot change, we, as elected officials, can ensure police are working in a space that
supports the mental and physical wellbeing of officers and victims of crime. Please assist me and
the NYPD in this endeavor.

Sincerely,

Robert F. Holden
Council Member, District 30

CC: Commanding Officer, Deputy Inspector Joseph Notaro, NYPD Facilities Management
Division