Mayor Adams and NYPD expand quality of life teams across Brooklyn after successful pilot

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch have announced the expansion of the NYPD’s Quality of Life Teams (Q-Teams) to every precinct in Brooklyn, following a successful pilot program that began in April. This initiative, designed to tackle everyday public safety issues, has already responded to over 23,400 quality-of-life-related calls citywide.

The Q-Team program focuses on non-emergency concerns that affect residents’ daily lives—like illegal mopeds and scooters, abandoned vehicles, homeless encampments, outdoor drug use, and persistent noise complaints. With the expansion now reaching Brooklyn, Q-Teams are active in Manhattan and the Bronx, and are scheduled to roll out across Queens, Staten Island, and NYCHA housing by the end of August.

“Last week, we expanded our NYPD Quality of Life teams across Brooklyn as we continued to sweep out crime and deliver a safer city that is more livable, one neighborhood at a time,” said Mayor Adams in a Monday announcement. “Every New Yorker deserves to live in a neighborhood that is safe from gun violence, that has clean streets, and that is free from illegal activities.”

Commissioner Tisch emphasized that the Q-Teams are tailored to solve real problems experienced by residents.

“The abandoned vehicle left on the corner, the illegal e-bike parked on the sidewalk, the unlicensed smoke shop that opened on your block — all these everyday concerns add up,” she said.

“Every precinct in Brooklyn now has a Q-Team to ensure that a true quality of life is experienced by everyone who calls the borough home,” added the commissioner.

Initially launched in six pilot precincts, NYPD’s Q-Teams have responded to 16,128 calls, towed 640 vehicles, and seized 299 illegal scooters and mopeds since the start of the program. Average response times in the areas by 47 minutes.

After these early outcomes, the program expanded to additional boroughs. Q-Teams began operating in Manhattan on July 14, the Bronx on July 21, and Brooklyn on July 28. In Brooklyn alone, they have already responded to more than 1,300 calls, towed 55 vehicles, and seized 16 illegal bikes and scooters.

Other NYPD units have also played a role in addressing quality-of-life issues across the city. The Vehicle Response Team has completed 5,352 tows. The Smoke Shop Task Force has carried out 1,034 inspections and issued 184 padlocks to shut down illegal businesses. The Encampment Team has resolved 1,317 homeless conditions.

Q-Team officers receive training focused on handling quality-of-life concerns, often using non-enforcement approaches when possible. The department holds monthly “Q-Stat” meetings to review complaint data and track progress.

Local leaders have praised the program for improving daily life in their neighborhoods. “These teams are helping to restore peace and order in our communities,” State Senator Roxanne Persaud said.

“As we continue to make our streets safer, it’s important to address the issues that affect people’s everyday lives, from noise complaints to abandoned vehicles,” said Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez, echoing Persaud’s sentiment.

The rollout continues through August, with Queens scheduled for August 11, Staten Island on August 18, and NYCHA housing commands on August 25. As the program expands, city officials remain committed to ensuring New York City remains the “safest big city in America.”