NYPD to Relaunch Anti-Gun Crime Unit Disbanded After 2020 Riots
“I want to be clear: This is not just a plan for the future – it is a plan for right now,” Mayor Eric Adams said. “Gun violence is a public health crisis. There is no time to wait.”
The mayor of New York City is planning to launch a reinvented version of the NYPD's plainclothes anti-gun crime unit, which was disbanded during the riots and protest sparked by the in-custody death of George Floyd in 2020.
“I want to be clear: This is not just a plan for the future – it is a plan for right now,” Mayor Eric Adams said. “Gun violence is a public health crisis. There is no time to wait.”
The new units, named the Neighborhood Safety Teams, are expected to be active in the 30 precincts that account for the majority of violent incidents in the city, the National Review reports. The mayor said police are recruiting for the roles currently.
The new Neighborhood Safety teams will have between 400 and 500 cops assigned to the unit, according to the NYPD.
“Numbers are being worked out now,” spokesman Sgt. Edward Riley told the New York Post. “Some precincts may have one team, some may have two or three.”
There were roughly 600 officers assigned to the anti-crime unit when it was disbanded by former Police Commissioner Dermot Shea. However, those squads were part of a citywide initiative, as opposed to the new units, which are limited to 30 patrol areas.
More Special Units

Constellis’ AMK9 to Donate K9 Officer to Currituck County Sheriff’s Office
AMK9 will donate a fully trained K9 officer to the Currituck County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit. DAX, a 20-month-old Belgian Malinois, joined his new handler and has begun training at the Constellis Training Center.
Read More →
Ohio’s Statewide Drone First Responder Program to Take Flight
Over the next two years, the Ohio DFR Pilot Program will equip municipalities with advanced drone systems, deliver comprehensive training for first responders, and enable FAA-approved Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations.
Read More →
Louisiana Motor Sergeant Dies from Injuries Suffered in June “Intentional” Crash
A motor officer, Sgt. Caleb Eisworth was on his way to participate in a funeral escort when he was struck by another vehicle.
Read More →
Tennessee Officers Say Man Tried to Detonate IED During Arrest
Inside the bedroom officers found what they believed to be an IED. The officers evacuated the house and called for the Chattanooga Police Bomb Squad and ATF agents.
Read More →
Florida School Officer Dies After On-Duty Medical Emergency
Sergeant Greg Graff was “preparing school leaders for the upcoming year during a safety training program at Clearwater High School,” the school district said.
Read More →
Grenade is Missing from Explosion That Killed 3 LASD Deputies
ATF Special Agent in Charge Kenny Cooper said definitively that only one grenade detonated at the facility on July 18.
Read More →
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Names Deputies Lost in Friday Explosion
LASD said Detective Joshua Kelley-Eklund, Detective Victor Lemus, and Detective William Osborn who were all assigned to Special Enforcement Bureau’s Arson Explosives Detail were killed in the incident.
Read More →
Maryland State Police Helicopter Rescues Victim from Overturned Boat in Chesapeake Bay
The Maryland State Police Aviation Command Trooper 7 crew, the MSP helicopter based in California, Maryland, were monitoring the county dispatch radio, overheard the dispatch, and self-launched.
Read More →3 Los Angeles County Deputies Killed in Explosion Friday Morning
At press time the names of the deputies had not been released. Sheriff Robert Luna said one had served for 19 years, another for 22 years, and another for 33 years.
Read More →
Georgia Sheriff’s Deputy Fired After K-9 Dies in Hot Patrol Vehicle
The vehicle’s air conditioning failed because of a malfunctioning compressor and its heat alarm did not function, according to the sheriff’s office.
Read More →