NYPD Bolsters Presence in Central Park Amid Crime Surge

The NYPD announced Wednesday that it is intensifying crime prevention efforts in Central Park in response to a noticeable rise in criminal activity.

Recent crime data reveals a significant increase in major offenses within the park. Robberies have surged by 200%, with 30 incidents reported this year compared to just ten during the same period in 2023. Additionally, felony assaults have risen by 42%. To address these issues, NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell stated on August 14 that additional officers would be deployed to the park, focusing their efforts around a mobile command center to reinforce the work of the Central Park Precinct.

“We are committing substantial resources over the coming days and weeks to tackle this problem,” Chief Chell remarked. “While we can’t monitor every corner of the city, our actions tonight will help prevent further robberies and lead to arrests.”

The mobile command unit near Columbus Circle will serve as the hub for the increased police presence. Up to 100 additional officers will report to this base daily, enhancing patrols throughout the park. These resources will include officers on foot, bicycle patrols, and members of the Mounted Unit on horseback.

“There’s no hiding that crime, especially robberies, has increased in this park,” Chief Chell emphasized. He also mentioned that some of the robberies have allegedly been carried out by migrants, citing the arrest of two youths—a 17-year-old and an 11-year-old migrant boy—earlier that morning in connection with a series of thefts.

These arrests followed an incident on August 13, when an 82-year-old woman was assaulted near the Central Park Tennis Center at West 96th Street and Central Park West. According to police, a man described as a jogger pushed the older woman to the ground, causing injuries to her nose, elbows, and knees. She received treatment from EMS at the Central Park precinct.

Despite the reported uptick in crime, many park visitors continue to have positive experiences. Belinda Lemay, a 56-year-old tourist from Canada, shared that she has been cycling through the park daily for the past week and has thoroughly enjoyed her time.

“I feel like it’s a safe park, and I’ve had a great time here,” Lemay said. “It’s wonderful to see people out enjoying themselves.”