Safety Upgrades For Summer 2016

BROOKLYN – Coney Island residents and visitors will see an increased security presence during the summer of 2016 as a result of a working group that Council Member Mark Treyger, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, State Senator Diane J. Savino, and Assembly Member Pamela Harris helped form with City Hall to advocate for improved safety measures, as well as fraud prevention, in the area’s amusement and residential sectors.

After the city administration took steps to curtail quality of life nuisances from individuals dressed as super heroes and characters from popular culture in Times Square last year, Treyger, Adams, Savino, and Harris called on City Hall to also devote attention to the Coney Island area, where similar incidents had taken place. The Mayor’s Office, high-ranking NYPD officials, and the Parks Commissioner personally responded and pledged assistance. They have delivered.

Due to the officials’ advocacy and assistance from the Mayor’s Office, the NYPD will provide an additional 20 police officers to their Coney Island summer detail. In the summer of 2015, 64 additional officers were provided; that number will rise to 84 this year.

NYC Parks also made a commitment to provide a clear schedule for additional Park Enforcement Patrol officers. In response to calls from the elected officials to increase PEP presence, NYC Parks devoted more PEP officers last August, particularly on weekends. This year, NYC Parks has assured the officials that they will open the 2016 summer season in Coney Island’s amusement area with an increased presence and aggressive enforcement, setting the tone for the entire summer. More PEP officers on the beach and Boardwalk will allow the NYPD and the 60th Precinct to strategically position police officers to meet the needs of both Coney Island’s amusement and residential areas.

Also emerging from the officials’ advocacy is an initiative from the Department of Consumer Affairs designed to educate residents and visitors about appropriate and legal tipping and financial transactions, after incidents last summer with individuals dressed as super heroes or characters from popular culture demanding tips or illegally “charging” Boardwalk and amusement area patrons for photographs, as well as the sale of illegal alcoholic beverages on the beach, creating a quality of life nuisance for beachgoers and area visitors.

“The historic challenge we have faced in Coney Island has been making sure that our police officers are not stretched too thin in the amusement area. Getting more NYPD and PEP officers here is a win for everyone. The addition of more NYPD officers will provide a safer environment for residents and visitors alike, and more PEP officers provided by NYC Parks will allow the NYPD to dedicate their efforts appropriately. The goal is to keep a strong police presence in both the amusement and residential sections of the community. There is still more work to be done, and we still need more officers, but this is a step in the right direction. I would like to thank my colleagues, including Borough President Adams, Senator Savino, and Assembly Member Harris for working together on this important issue. I would also like to express my gratitude to Mayor de Blasio, the NYPD, and NYC Parks for working toward making our community as safe as possible. I would also like to thank the Department of Consumer Affairs for agreeing to help make sure that this summer, pushy and belligerent scam artists will not be able to prey on working families who come to the Boardwalk and the amusement area for an enjoyable family outing, and that beachgoers will not have to traverse the sandy shores of the People’s Playground while worrying about being pestered by illegal vendors.”
– Council Member Mark Treyger, 47th District

“I have been clear about the need to put public safety first in every Brooklyn community. A longstanding lack of enforcement regarding quality of life concerns along the Riegelmann Boardwalk has posed an unacceptable risk to resident and visitor safety in Coney Island. Working along local leaders, we have secured a meaningful partnership with City agencies to increase NYPD and PEP presence, as well as to address the scourge of costumed characters that have been harassing children and families. The People’s Playground will be a safer place for all this summer, while retaining the ‘character’ that makes it a second-to-none destination.”
– Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams

“I would like to thank the Mayor’s office for supporting our efforts to ensure the safety of our residents. With the implementation of these 20 officers, the 60th Precinct will get the resources they deserve. I would also like to thank the Parks Department for their commitment to providing additional PEP officers to our boardwalks, as well as the Department of Consumer Affairs who plans to release brochures informing our visitors that they are not entitled to pay the superheroes who frequent our shore during the summer months. We are confident with these new improvements it will create a safer summer environment here in Coney Island.”
– Senator Diane J. Savino

“The addition of 20 officers during the summer in Coney Island is necessary to ensure the safety and quality of life concerns of residents and visitors alike. I would like to thank Council Member Treyger, Brooklyn Borough President Adams and Senator Savino, for raising awareness about the important public safety and quality of life concerns in our community.”
– Assembly Member Pamela Harris

“Coney Island has long been a classic destination for amusement, recreation and family fun, particularly during the summer months. The NYPD has worked collaboratively with the other City agencies, as well as local community and elected leaders, to ensure that residents, area businesses and visitors continue to enjoy all that Coney Island has to offer within a safe and secure environment.”
– Police Commissioner William Bratton

“NYC Parks is committed to creating safe and comfortable environments in our city’s parks, and increased security in Coney Island will improve this significantly. Our Parks Enforcement Patrol officers’ work goes a long way towards keeping the public safe, and we work closely with NYPD to address issues of safety in parks. Parks thanks Mayor de Blasio, NYPD and all of our local elected officials for their advocacy and dedication to safety in this community. We will continue to work together to make Coney Island a place people love to visit and we look forward to the upcoming beach season.”
– NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP

“Coney Island is a must-visit destination for residents and tourists alike and an amusement hub for families and individuals of all ages. DCA is committed to ensuring that visitors to Coney Island are empowered with consumer tips and are pleased to join our sister City agencies and elected leaders to make sure that next summer is the best yet in Coney Island.”
– Department of Consumer Affairs Commissioner Julie Menin

“The Alliance for Coney Island is happy about the diligence of our elected officials in advocating for these very necessary quality of life improvements in Coney Island. We applaud the commitment of the NYPD and NYC Parks and Recreation Department in providing more resources for the benefit of the district. These quality of life improvements serve to further promote the growth and development of the Coney Island amusement area and provide both locals and tourists a fun and safe entertainment destination.”
– Johanna Zaki, Executive Director, Alliance for Coney Island

“Thank you to Council Member Treyger, Borough President Adams, Senator Savino, and Assembly Member Harris for realizing the need for many more police officers in our community. Law enforcement is essential for a safe community. Their efforts to make sure that visitors to Coney Island are not taken advantage of by those in costume are much appreciated.”
– Community Board 13 Chairman Stephen Moran