Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Mayor's anti-gun unit arresting suspects on mostly low-level offenses: NYPD data
By
Jake Offenhartz
Published Apr 10, 2022
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Tim Drivas Photography/Getty Images
By
Jake Offenhartz
Published Apr 10, 2022
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A new police unit designed to remove guns from New York City streets has primarily arrested suspects on low-level offenses, according to new data provided by the NYPD.
Mayor Eric Adams launched the Neighborhood Safety Teams last month, fulfilling a controversial campaign pledge to restore a version of the anti-crime units that were disbanded by his predecessor. With a focus on high-crime areas, the 200-person unit would “proactively suppress violent major crimes and illegal gun possession through precision policing,” according to NYPD Chief of Department Kenneth Corey.
But nearly a month later, the most common charge in arrests made by the anti-gun unit was for possession of a forged instrument, such as a fake ID or stolen credit card. Of the 135 total arrests made by the unit, 26 have been for criminal possession of a firearm, according to data provided to Gothamist by the NYPD.
By comparison, the same officers have arrested 24 people for criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor charge often connected to the possession of drug paraphernalia and frequently downgraded to a non-criminal violation.
Police reform advocates said that the arrest data, which was first reported by City & State, confirms their fears that the revamped anti-gun group would auger a return to an aggressive style of policing focused on low-level offenses.
“It’s no surprise to me that the numbers are showing that they’re engaged in broken windows kinds of arrests, where they are targeting New Yorkers who are at worst going to be accused of committing low level offenses,” said Robert Gangi, director of New York’s Police Reform Organizing Project.
An NYPD spokesperson did not respond to questions about the racial breakdown of the arrests or where they took place. The most recent iteration of the anti-crime units, which were disbanded by former Mayor Bill de Blasio in the wake of the George Floyd protests of 2020, was notorious for using force on communities of color.
Adams and other NYPD officials have pointed to key differences between the Neighborhood Safety Teams and its predecessors. While members of the previous unit dressed in street clothes, the new Neighborhood Safety officers are required to wear “modified uniforms” that clearly designate them as police officers.
Those assigned to the group have also undergone training in de-escalation, communication, and constitutional policing, according to the NYPD.
Adams has touted the new teams as a centerpiece of his efforts to stamp down on gun violence. And he has suggested that the units could be expanded ahead of an expected spike in shootings over the summer. According to the most recent NYPD data, citywide shooting incidents were up 14% compared to this time last year.
Appearing on “Face the Nation” last week, Adams said the units were already achieving results for the city.
“We have to stop the flow of guns, but we also must do the jobs of getting the guns off the streets that’s on there now, and my anti-gun unit, they’re doing that.”
Additional reporting by Gwynne Hogan.
Tagged
crime
nypd
Jake Offenhartz
Jake Offenhartz is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Why New Yorkers should care about bats beyond spooky season
As Bat Week begins, state wildlife officials urge New Yorkers to protect bats, which play an important role in the environment.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 25, 2026 at 6:44 p.m. ET
Serbians forced to wait hours to vote at NYC consulate as Balkan nation holds election
Early voting may have kicked off in New York this weekend, but Serbian immigrants seeking to vote had a much tighter window on Sunday.
By
Jill Webb
and
Michael Sol Warren
News
Serbians forced to wait hours to vote at NYC consulate as Balkan nation holds election
Early voting may have kicked off in New York this weekend, but Serbian immigrants seeking to vote had a much tighter window on Sunday.
By
Jill Webb
and
Michael Sol Warren
Retired NYPD detective charged in George Washington Bridge killing out on $1M bail
By
Michael Sol Warren
Suicides decline in NYC, but inequities persist across groups
By
Jill Webb
Cuts to rural healthcare become key issue for upstate votes in race for NY governor
By
Samuel King
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .