Mayor Adams Announces Opening of Neighborhood Satellite Command in College Point, Queens

November 13, 2024

109thNeighborhood Satellite Command Will Increase Personnel and Decrease Response Times Throughout Flushing, College Point, and Whitestone Neighborhoods

NEW YORK - New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Police Department (NYPD) Interim Commissioner Thomas G. Donlon today announced the opening of the 109thNeighborhood Satellite Command in College Point, Queens. The new neighborhood satellite command effectively divides the 109thPrecinct into two response zones, enabling NYPD personnel to respond from a decentralized location - effectively allowing officers to more swiftly respond to emergencies and 911 calls as they help New Yorkers in need in high-demand locales. The satellite command will utilize existing space at the NYPD's Police Academy and will have an additional 54 police officers and 12 supervisors assigned to it.

"The community spoke, and we listened - and now, we are putting the needs of working people first with the opening of the 109thNeighborhood Satellite Command in College Point," said Mayor Adams. "The launch of this neighborhood satellite command will help improve emergency response times in a precinct that faces unique challenges due to its geographic size and population density. By adding additional personnel and enhancing operational capabilities, we are creating a safer environment for the residents of College Point, Flushing, and Whitestone, and showing that government can work for working-class New Yorkers. The satellite command not only reflects a commitment to community safety but demonstrates the importance of how the community plays a pivotal role in keeping the public safe."

"The men and women of the 109thPrecinct are excited to broaden their reach in northern Queens in support of the NYPD's overarching public safety mission," said NYPD Interim Commissioner Donlon. "The creation of this new neighborhood satellite command will enhance our ability to serve the community and contribute to the ongoing decrease in crime and disorder, which has already seen a nearly 5 percent drop in this command this year. We are grateful to the community leaders who advocated for this solution, as we are confident that it will not only instill a sense of safety in New Yorkers, but also actively promote their well-being."

During a 2023 meeting with "We Love Whitestone," a local community organization, residents articulated their frustration of delayed emergency response times. As a result of that meeting, Mayor Adams convened a dedicated 911 advisory response time committee that analyzed data, patterns, and trends related to emergency response. The committee found that the geographic layout of the precinct - which spans a large area - exacerbates response times and that the distance officers travel from the current precinct - located in Flushing - to the more remote College Point and Whitestone neighborhoods, contributes to the delay in response.

Recognizing this critical challenge, the committee proposed the establishment of a neighborhood satellite command at the New York City Police Academy, located within the College Point neighborhood.

"The 109th Police Precinct covers the city's largest geographical area, and this new satellite base will help ensure faster response times, increased visibility, and safer streets for everyone in our community," said New York State Senator John Liu.

"I want to thank the NYPD and Mayor Adams for making this investment in our community," said New York State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky. "Public safety is a critical issue. Over the last two years I have had numerous conversations with the administration about placing more resources in the northern section of the 109thPrecinct and I know the residents of Queens are grateful for this commitment. The 109thPrecinct is one of the largest in New York City and having this satellite subdivision will allow for police to respond more effectively and expeditiously to help lower the crime rate and keep our community safe."

"The new 109th Neighborhood Satellite Command in College Point reflects our commitment to efficient, cost-effective public safety service delivery," said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar. "After the community called for more law enforcement in the 109th Precinct, the city listened and is opening a second response zone. The satellite precinct will supercharge NYPD response times in a high-demand area, allowing law enforcement to swiftly come to the aid of New Yorkers in their times of crisis. The satellite precinct is also fiscally responsible, being housed in existing NYPD space. Together, we will provide all the resources necessary to keep New Yorkers safe."

"Long before I assumed office, the Whitestone and College Point communities have desperately pled for an additional precinct to address increasing public safety concerns," said New York State Assemblymember Sam Berger. "This satellite is a necessary step in the right direction, and I thank Mayor Adams for hearing the voices of residents. I look forward to working with the city as we advocate for more resources to what is currently the densest precinct in New York City."

"I celebrate the opening of the 109thPrecinct's Neighborhood Satellite Command," said New York State Assemblymember Edward Braunstein. "While not the full, new precinct I and my colleagues in government have been advocating for, this is a welcome improvement that will alleviate the strain placed on officers in the 109thPrecinct - the largest geographic precinct in the City of New York. With this new satellite command, the communities of Bay Terrace, Whitestone and College Point are expected to see overall faster response times by the NYPD. I thank Mayor Adams for helping grant the resources to establish the satellite command. I welcome the command's newest police officers and supervisors and thank them for answering the call to serve and protect the communities of northeast Queens."

"I want to thank our partners in the city and at the NYPD for heeding the call of our community," said New York State Assemblymember Ron Kim, chair, Assembly Committee on Aging. "Today is a massive win for our district - with a new satellite 109thPrecinct office with more officers on the streets, we will be able to cover larger stretches of our district more evenly and assist downtown Flushing with more officers and resources. Our small businesses, young families, and older adults deserve to walk freely and without fear on the streets in Flushing, and as your representative, I am happy we could secure this critical improvement to public safety in my district."

"The opening of the 109th Precinct Satellite Command will significantly improve public safety across eastern Queens," saidNew York State Assemblymember Nily Rozic. "By expanding resources, law enforcement will be able to respond more efficiently and effectively to emergencies that benefit of all of us. I'm grateful for this expansion and those who serve everyday to keep our neighborhoods safe."

"This satellite precinct has been something community leaders and civic groups have been advocating for a very long time now, and I'm thrilled to be able to deliver for Whitestone and College Point once again," said New York City Councilmember Vickie Paladino. "This is a HUGE win, and the culmination of a lot of hard work between myself, Mayor Adams, the NYPD, Community Board 7, and local civic groups. I cannot thank the mayor's office enough for listening and taking our safety needs seriously here. I also want to welcome our new officers to the neighborhood; my door is always open, and I encourage you all to continue to stop by anytime. Public safety and police work are the foundation of our neighborhoods, and this new precinct is a major step in continuing to ensure our district is the most secure in the city."

"I want to thank Mayor Adams for coming to Whitestone and listening to our presentation," said Alfredo Centola, president and founding member, "We Love Whitestone" Civic Association. "The mayor promised us that day that he would mandate his staff to work with us and make it happen if deemed necessary. His team kept their word, and today, we celebrate the solution. The 109thPrecinct is the largest in both geography and population. We are proud to have been part of the team that spearheaded this spectacular outcome for all our communities."

"Thank you, Mayor Adams, for hearing us at your town hall meeting and for coming to Whitestone to hear the rest of our concerns," said Jennifer Shannon, president, A Better College Point Civic Association. "You had your team work with us to flesh out the major areas of concern and we appreciate your support. We are grateful for all the support Inspector Coleman provides to our communities; this is no easy task. We look forward to working with all the officers and the commanding officer now that the new neighborhood satellite command is open. A Better College Point Civic Association was proud to support this challenging endeavor."

"As the president of the Greater Whitestone Taxpayers Civic Association, I would like to thank Mayor Adams, Council Member Paladino, Community Board 7, and all other concerned civics within the boundaries of 109th Precinct, for the New Satellite Command," said Kim Cody, president, Greater Whitestone Taxpayers Civic Association.

"The College Point community, along with the adjacent communities, are extremely thankful that our voices have been heard," said Brock Weiner, president, College Point Civic and Taxpayers Association. "A special thank you to our elected officials along with the NYPD for advocating and understanding the need for such a satellite precinct along with the community based civic associations, such as the College Point Civic and Taxpayers Association, which have been advocating for this for many many years."

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