COMMISSIONER TISCH ANNOUNCES NEW STRATEGIES TO KEEP NEW YORKERS SAFE, IMPROVE OFFICER TRAINING, AND MODERNIZE POLICING

Divides Bronx into Two Patrol Boroughs to Expand Capacity and Enhance Resources

Launches Most Significant Training Overhaul for Police Officers in Decades

Modernizes 311 Dispatch System to Address New Yorkers’ Quality of Life Concerns and Ensure Accountability

Names the Police Academy and New Co-Chief Chaplains 

Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch today delivered her 2026 State of the NYPD address, highlighting the department's new strategies to keep New York City safe, invest in accountability and training, and modernize policing. Today’s announcement comes as the NYPD delivered the safest year ever for gun violence in 2025, with the fewest shooting incidents and shooting victims in recorded history. Last year also saw major crime declines in all five boroughs, as well as the lowest index crime in the subways since 2009, excluding the pandemic years.

“Together, we have cleared away the rubble of crisis, and we say with renewed certainty that the state of the NYPD is strong,” said Commissioner Tisch. “A year ago, I set clear expectations for the NYPD. New Yorkers deserved a police department that was stable in its leadership, disciplined in its operations, serious about its standards, and focused relentlessly on public safety. I made promises to our cops, and to all the people we serve. And 2025 was about keeping those promises — and exceeding those expectations. In 2026, that doesn’t change. Our crime-fighting posture remains the same, the standards we hold ourselves to remain the same, and the commitment to support the noble men and women of the NYPD remains absolute.”

Commissioner Tisch announced the following initiatives in her 2026 State of the NYPD address:

Divides the Bronx into Two Patrol Boroughs

For the first time ever, the Bronx will be divided into two patrol borough commands — Bronx North and Bronx South — starting in the spring. This change will bring nearly 200 additional police officers to the borough, strengthen the NYPD’s ability to respond to the different needs across neighborhoods, and add additional specialized units into the borough, including homicide squad detectives, evidence collection teams, narcotics teams, Neighborhood Safety Teams, and auto crime units.

Currently, the Bronx is organized under a single patrol borough command — one leadership structure overseeing every precinct — while Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens have each long since moved to two patrol borough commands to handle the volume of work there. The Bronx has experienced more crime per capita than any other borough while operating under a structure that has not kept pace with the demands placed on it. In 2025, the Bronx accounted for more than one-third of all shooting incidents and shooting victims citywide, roughly three times Queens and Manhattan. The borough recorded more major crimes than Manhattan and Queens, and nearly the same as Brooklyn. Bronx residents also generated nearly 1 million calls for service last year — more than Queens and nearly equal to Manhattan.

Overhaul of In-Service Training

To better prepare police officers for situations they might encounter and continue to be responsive to community needs, the NYPD is launching the most significant overhaul of in-service training in decades. Officers will participate in a recurring, focused, weeklong in-service training program that will continue throughout their careers. The training will cover a wide range of topics, including tactics, de-escalation, constitutional policing, legal standards, and situational awareness.

Modernizing the NYPD’s 311 System

The NYPD is rolling out a new digital dispatch system for 311 jobs assigned to the NYPD’s Q-Teams to ensure responses are handled with the same level of structure and accountability as 911 jobs. Officers will be able to better track, respond to, and close out 311 jobs, protecting quality of life for all New Yorkers.

Digitizing NYPD Precinct Command Logs

Since the department’s founding in 1845, precinct operations have been recorded by hand, in a paper logbook, including staffing, roll call, inspections, equipment, overtime, property, and compliance checks. The department will transition to digital precinct command logs, providing leadership a clear, real-time picture of what is happening across their precinct.

Introducing DAS 2.0 for Real-Time Policing

The Domain Awareness System (DAS) is a platform that was created in 2014 to give officers real-time information to support patrol responses and investigations in one central location. DAS 2.0 brings real-time awareness directly into the field. An officer driving on the FDR can be alerted that a stolen car just passed a license plate reader up ahead. A supervisor at a scene can see live drone video and know exactly where that drone is in relation to the incident.

Preparing for Drone Mitigation Authority

The NYPD has the capability to detect drones but lacks the authority to take them down. The department expects to receive authority from the White House this year and continues to prepare by investing millions of dollars in mitigation equipment and completing all necessary training. The preparation ensures that the NYPD will be positioned to commence drone mitigation operations as soon as legally allowed, which is essential as we look ahead to events that will soon take place in New York City, such as the World Cup, the 250th birthday of the United State of America, and the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

Appointing Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Reverend A.R. Bernard as NYPD Co-Chief Chaplains

Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Reverend A.R. Bernard will serve as the two co-chief chaplains of the NYPD, overseeing the Chaplains Unit and their work providing spiritual assistance and moral guidance to all members of the department and their families. Cardinal Dolan led the Archdiocese of New York for almost two decades, guiding one of the largest faith communities in the country and serving as a steady civic and moral leader for New Yorkers across all five boroughs. Rev. A.R. Bernard founded the Christian Cultural Center, one of the largest and most well-known congregations in New York City. He has spent decades serving families across the five boroughs, building a ministry known for outreach, counseling, and deep engagement with the community. Cardinal Dolan and Rev. Bernard will be installed at a ceremony on Feb. 24, 2026.

Naming the Police Academy in Honor of Detective Steven D. McDonald

Detective Steven D. McDonald was shot and paralyzed in the line of duty on July 12, 1986. Despite his life changing in unimaginable ways, Detective McDonald became a role model for all officers, living a life of courage and defined by dignity and forgiveness. Detective McDonald tragically passed away on Jan. 10, 2017. In honor of his memory and in recognition of his profound impact on the department, the Police Academy will be named after Detective Steven McDonald, ensuring every officer who walks through the academy doors is able to look towards him as a role model. There will be an official naming ceremony on July 16, 2026 — 42 years to the day Detective McDonald entered the Police Academy.

Speaker Julie Menin, LGBTQIA+ Caucus Co-Chairs Condemn Removal of Pride Flag from the Stonewall National Monument

 

In a letter to National Parks Service, Council leaders urge Trump Administration to immediately return Pride flag where it belongs 

Today, New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, along with the Co-Chairs of the Council’s LGBTQIA+ Caucus, Council Members Chi Ossé and Justin Sanchez, denounced the removal of the Pride flag at the Stonewall National Monument in New York City. In a letter to the Trump Administration, Council leaders urged the National Parks Service to immediately return the Pride flag to the monument and requested a prompt response outlining the rationale behind this decision, along with steps the federal agency will take to ensure that the Stonewall National Monument continues to reflect the truth of its history and the community it represents.

This event follows an alarming trend of the erasure of LGBTQIA+ history, including the decision to rename the USNS Harvey Milk and the removal of key facts from the Stonewall National Monument website. 

The full letter can be found here. 

An excerpt from the letter states: 

“Stonewall is a sacred ground in the history of civil rights in our country. The events that took place there catalyzed a global movement for dignity, equality, and freedom — guiding principles upon which our nation was founded. The Pride flag has long flown as a symbol of that struggle and of the resilience of a community that continues to fight for its basic rights. 

“In the year of the United States of America’s 250th anniversary, American monuments like Stonewall matter more than ever. This is a moment to honor, celebrate, and uplift American culture and history. This decision sends a deeply troubling message, one that shows the world that we are willing to sanitize and erase our history and the very values that make America great.” 

Attorney General James Recovers Over $4.7 Million From NYC Truck Rental Companies and Their Accountant for Massive Tax Evasion Scheme

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James today recovered more than $4.7 million from the owners of two New York City truck rental companies, Able Rentals, Inc. (Able) and Abarn Equipment Corp. (Abarn), and their accountant, Howard Zapken, for their roles in a decade-long sales tax evasion scheme. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that the owners of the truck rental businesses, Myron and Martin Schulman, pocketed sales taxes that they collected from customers on more than $15 million in revenue from 2014 through 2024 by vastly underreporting their taxable sales to the state. Zapken, as founder of the accounting firm Zapken & Loeb (Z&L), helped the two businesses and their owners operate the scheme, which allowed them to avoid paying over $1.3 million in sales tax. As a result of OAG’s investigation, the Schulmans will pay more than $3.9 million and Zapken has paid more than $825,000.

“Businesses that cheat on their taxes are depriving our state of the funding that provides health care, education, and other critical services to New Yorkers,” said Attorney General James. “Abarn and Able violated both the law and the trust of their customers who expected the taxes they paid to benefit the public. This case sends a clear message to businesses and their accountants: my office will not tolerate tax evasion schemes, and we will hold you fully accountable.”

The investigation revealed that the Schulmans massively understated the amount of taxable sales they reported for years, allowing them to avoid paying most of the sales taxes they owed. They did not use the actual sales records of their companies to calculate taxable sales. Instead, they instructed Z&L to use only cash deposits made to certain bank accounts to calculate sales tax due. These deposits represented a fraction of actual sales because they excluded all credit card transactions, which made up the vast majority of the businesses’ New York transactions.

These sales tax calculation methods allowed Able and Abarn to pocket most of the taxes they owed to the state. For example, in 2018, Able and Abarn reported taxable receipts of $250,099, while their point-of-sale system recorded that total payments received that year were actually $1,888,388. Myron Schulman then instructed Zapken to lower taxable receipts even further by disregarding portions of the cash deposits as supposed estimates of nontaxable transactions. When the resulting calculation of sales tax due was still too high, Myron Schulman told Z&L to lower the taxable amounts further. Zapken knew this conduct was fraudulent and warned his clients that the amounts used to calculate sales taxes were too low. Yet he participated anyway, filing false and fraudulent sales tax returns for the companies for years.

As a result of their scheme, Able and Abarn failed to report taxable sales of $15,008,715.98 over a ten-year period. Under the settlements with OAG, the Schulmans will pay back $3,972,419. The whistleblower who brought this conduct to OAG’s attention will receive $794,483.80 of the settlement funds. In addition, a licensed accountant approved by OAG must certify that Able and Abarn’s sales tax returns reflect the actual transactions recorded by the businesses for the next five years. Under Zapken’s settlement with OAG, he has repaid $826,660.61 and agreed not to sign, prepare, or file New York state tax returns for anyone other than his immediate family for the next five years.

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO 9 YEARS IN PRISON FOR SHOOTING IN AFTERHOURS CLUB

 

Defendant Wounded Two Men After Dispute

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a man has been sentenced to nine years in prison for assault and weapon charges for firing a shot in a crowded afterhours club that wounded two men. 

District Attorney Clark said, “After a dispute, the defendant fired a semi-automatic pistol inside an afterhours club full of people. Two men were wounded. The defendant has been held accountable for his intentional and reckless actions.” 

District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Manuel Nunez, 31, of the Bronx was sentenced on February 9, 2026, by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Timothy Lewis to nine years in prison and five years post release supervision. He was found guilty by a jury of Attempted Assault in the First Degree, third-degree Assault and second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon on December 12, 2025.

According to the facts at trial, on August 20, 2023, at approximately 6:48 a.m., inside of 80 West 169 St., the defendant engaged in a dispute with a man, then shot him at close range while his back was turned. The bullet entered the victim’s rear end and exited his right thigh and then grazed the left knee of a security guard working inside the illicit establishment.

District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detectives Edgar Pino and Corey Simpson of the 44 Detective Squad for their work on the investigation. 

Governor Hochul Rallies for Let Them Build Agenda as Support Grows Across the State

Common Sense Reforms to State Environmental Quality Review Act Will Speed Up Building of Housing Localities Want While Preserving Environmental Safeguards

Agenda Will Cut Red Tape That Delays the Building of Critical Infrastructure like Clean Water, Green Infrastructure, and Parks

State Will Establish Clear Timelines for Environmental Review, Standardize and Simplify Review Process, and Expedite Major Projects

Builds on Governor’s Historic Agenda To Address New York’s Housing Crisis and Make the State More Affordable and Livable for All New Yorkers

Governor Kathy Hochul today rallied with local leaders to highlight her “Let Them Build” agenda, a series of landmark reforms to speed up housing and infrastructure development and lower costs as part of her 2026 State of the State. This initiative will spur a series of common sense reforms to New York’s State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and executive actions to expedite critical projects that have been consistently found to not have significant environmental impacts, but for too long have been caught up in red tape and subject to lengthy delays. Together, these actions will make it easier to build the housing and infrastructure that localities want. The Governor’s proposal has now secured the backing of the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC), the New York State Association of Towns (NYAOT), and the New York State Conference of Mayors (NYCOM), along with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and dozens of other local elected officials from communities across New York.

“For far too long needless, outdated red tape has stood in the way of the housing and infrastructure that New Yorkers need to address the housing crisis and make life more affordable in communities across our state,” Governor Hochul said. “New York is a place defined by our boundless ambition — we are a state that builds. It is time that we cut the red tape that too often slows down projects and let communities build, so we can offer all New Yorkers the more affordable and livable state that they deserve and attract new residents who want to call New York home.”

Today, it is too difficult to build major projects in New York: manufacturing, housing and energy projects can take as much as 56 percent longer in New York State to get from concept to groundbreaking compared to peer states. Longer projects equal higher costs, a challenge that is especially critical in the context of New York’s housing crisis, where the only solution to high costs and scarce homes is to build more housing faster and cheaper than before. According to a report from the Citizens Budget Commission, red tape increases the cost to build a unit of housing by what equates to as much as an $82,000 cost hike per unit in New York City. Similarly, burdensome requirements delay needed investment in clean water infrastructure, child care centers, and parks. 

Helping Our Communities Build Housing We Need

When Governor Hochul took office, she vowed to tackle the housing crisis and bring down costs by building the housing that New Yorkers desperately need so that more hard working households and families can afford a place to call home. However, too much critically-needed affordable housing development is forced to navigate a web of red tape created by state mandates that add unnecessary costs and years of needless delays, despite such housing development consistently being found to have no significant environmental impact. Studies have quantified how State-mandated environmental review can slow down housing projects by an average of two years, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars per project, at a time when New Yorkers can least afford the wait for the housing they need to continue to live and thrive in New York.

To speed up the development of housing to create a more affordable and sustainable New York, Governor Hochul has proposed to amend the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) to exempt certain types of housing that have no significant impacts on the environment from additional SEQRA review. Housing exempted from SEQRA will still be required to comply with crucial State regulatory and permit requirements governing water use, air quality, environmental justice, and protection of natural resources. The proposal does not supersede local zoning and other permitting requirements, and exempted housing also must be located outside of flood risk areas in order to qualify.

Years of experience in both New York City and across the state, involving more than a thousand projects, has shown that virtually none of such projects ultimately were found to have significant environmental impacts, but nevertheless were still subject to lengthy reviews. These reforms will accelerate the delivery of much needed housing and reduce the cost of building in ways that are consistent with sustainable and environmentally-protective development, driving down the cost of housing and rents across the state while protecting our natural resources.

Accelerating Critical Infrastructure Projects That New Yorkers Depend On

Governor Hochul also has proposed to facilitate the speedier, cheaper delivery of a broad range of beneficial infrastructure projects that New Yorkers depend on. Specifically, the Governor has proposed to adjust SEQRA’s classifications to exempt the following important categories of infrastructure that meet specific criteria from additional SEQRA review to start serving New Yorkers faster:

• Clean Water Infrastructure: Critical water infrastructure that avoids impacts to natural resources.
• Green Infrastructure: Nature-based storm water management.
• Parks and Trails: Public parks and recreational bike/pedestrian paths
• Child Care: New or renovated child care centers

Governor Hochul’s proposal would reserve these fast-track environmental review processes for only infrastructure that would be located at previously disturbed areas, protecting our natural resources and undisturbed lands, while strengthening our neighborhoods. The Governor’s approach would yield tangible environmental benefits including improved air and water quality, a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and the preservation of critical habitats when compared to policies which encourage sprawl and unchecked development of natural areas.

Currently SEQRA review timelines vary greatly across projects, creating unpredictability for local communities, project sponsors, and state agencies alike. To cut through the red tape, Governor Hochul has proposed to:

• Deliver faster decisions for local communities by setting clear timelines for environmental impact statements and driving accountability
• Streamline environmental impact statements to cut down on review timelines for key categories of projects
• Modernize New York’s permitting processes to save time and money for localities by improving processes and utilizing new technologies
• Expedite major state infrastructure projects to serve New Yorkers faster
• Support local communities through a new permitting academy

Governor Hochul’s Housing Agenda

Governor Hochul is dedicated to addressing New York’s housing crisis and making the State more affordable and more livable for all New Yorkers. Since FY23, the Governor has worked to increase housing supply through nearly $4 billion in targeted investments, a comprehensive Housing Plan, and implemented new protections for renters and homeowners. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, HCR has created new programs that jumpstart development of affordable and mixed-income homes — for both renters and homebuyers. These include the Pro-Housing Community Program, which allows certified localities exclusive access to up to $750 million in discretionary State funding. Currently, more than 400 communities have received Pro-Housing certification.

The FY27 Executive Budget completes the Governor’s current five-year, $25 billion Housing Plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes. More than 77,000 affordable homes have been created or preserved to date. The Executive Budget also invests $250 million to accelerate affordable housing construction to speed up the building of thousands more affordable homes.

COIB Settlements Announced

 

The New York City Conflicts of Interest Board (the “Board”) announces four settlements.

 

Misuse of City Position. The Assistant Commissioner for Outreach at the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (“MOIA”) directed a subordinate to assist his mother in obtaining authorization from the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (“HPD”) to transfer her Section 8 housing benefits voucher to a new apartment. To do so, the subordinate repeatedly interacted with HPD, including appearing in person. The Assistant Commissioner twice followed up with the subordinate to ensure that HPD authorization was obtained. Public servants cannot participate in City matters involving their associates, including their parents. To resolve his violation, the now-former Assistant Commissioner agreed to pay a $2,250 fine. The Disposition is attached as “COIB Disposition (MOIA).”

 

Misuse of City Position. A New York City Department of Education (“DOE”) teacher was contacted by the mother of a student in his class who was in danger of failing; the parent asked for the teacher’s assistance in helping her child “catch up.” The teacher tutored the student twice for a total of 1½ hours and accepted $106 from the parent for doing so. To resolve his violation, the teacher agreed to pay the Board $606, which consisted of $106 in repayment plus a $500 fine. The Disposition is attached as “COIB Disposition (DOE).”

 

Misuse of Confidential Information. A School Nurse at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (“DOHMH”) received a traffic ticket from a police officer whose children attended her school. The School Nurse accessed confidential school records to obtain the personal contact information of the police officer and used that information to call the officer about an upcoming court date for the ticket. In a joint settlement with the Board and DOHMH, the School Nurse agreed to the DOHMH-imposed penalty of resignation. The Board determined that resignation was sufficient and imposed no additional penalty. The Disposition is attached as “COIB-DOHMH Disposition.”

 

Misuse of City Position. A District Supervisor at the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”) claimed to have been injured in the line of duty. In support of his Workers’ Compensation claim, he had a subordinate who did not witness the accident sign a witness statement the District Supervisor had completed. As a result of his claim, the District Supervisor received pay from DEP for two days he did not work, worth $850.72. In a joint settlement with the Board and DEP, the District Supervisor agreed to the DEP-imposed penalty of resignation. The Board determined that resignation was sufficient and imposed no additional penalty. The Disposition is attached as “COIB-DEP Disposition.”

COIB is the independent, non-mayoral City agency charged with interpreting, administering, and enforcing the City's Conflicts of Interest Law, Annual Disclosure Law, Lobbyist Gift Law, Affiliated Not-for-Profits Law, and Legal Defense Trusts Law.

Wave Hill Weekly Events (Feb 12– Feb 19) | Find Love Across the Gardens!

 

Two cottontail rabbits chase each other across the garden, the thumps of their feet creating rhythm and leaving prints on the ground. Follow the beat and take a stroll through the grounds with that special someone. Admire the nature of love, from woodland critters prancing about, to the person you walk hand-in-hand with. Love is the universal language; visit Wave Hill and get to know it in its truest forms. 

 

 

glyndor garden. 

 

Valentine's Night Out at Wave Hill 

Sat, Feb 14, 5:00PM – 9:00PM    

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with your special someone during a one-of-a-kind evening at romantic Wave Hill.  

 

Special Events 

 

Valentine's Night Out at Wave Hill  

Sat, Feb 14, 5:00PM – 9:00PM     

Registration required.  

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with your special someone during a one-of-a-kind evening at Wave Hill. Stroll through the gardens to find the pockets of magic hidden around the gardens. Visit The Shop to enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbly before taking your seats at Armor Hall. Delight in a romantic dinner and an intimate performance by Garrett and Tamara, a New York-based husband-and-wife musical duo, as they provide the perfect love story soundtrack to your evening.  

 

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Valentine's Tea 

Thu, Feb 12, 11:00AM – 2:00PM    

Fri, Feb 13, 11:00AM – 2:00PM 

Sat, Feb 14, 11:00AM – 2:00PM    

Sun, Feb 15, 11:00AM – 2:00PM 

Registration encouraged 

Wave Hill's exclusive caterer Great Performances is delighted to present Valentine's Tea at the historic Wave Hill House. Perfect for a date or an afternoon with friends, this custom menu is designed specifically for Wave Hill, incorporating local, seasonal and organic ingredients. 

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Nature & Wellness 

 

Garden Highlights Walk 

Sun, Feb 15, 1:00PM – 1:30PM    

Free with admission to the grounds     

Registration not required.    

Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens. Topics vary by season and the expertise of the Guide; each walk varies with the Guide leading it.  

 

Art 

 

Winter Workspace 2026 

January 5  –  April 12 | All Day    

Free with admission to the grounds     

Registration not required.    

This year, the Winter Workspace program consists of two back-to-back, seven-week sessions, in which New York area artists research, develop, and make work informed by the site, ecology and history of Wave Hill. Artists are encouraged to engage with the site’s history, architecture, and visitors while expanding their practices using resources from the garden 

 

Family 

 

Family Art Project: Love for Woodland Friends 

Sat, Feb 14, 10:00AM – 1:00PM   

Sun, Feb 15, 10:00AM – 1:00PM   

Free with admission to the grounds     

Registration not required.    

This Valentine’s Day, create lovable woodland critters. We’ll take a cue from the ways animals protect their families and celebrate the ways we care for each other too. Give your stuffed creation to someone who warms your heart or keep it to remind you of our local woodland friends.  

 

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HOURS STARTING MARCH 15: 10AM–4:30PM, Tuesday–Sunday  

Shuttle Service free from Subway and Metro-North, Saturday–Sunday 

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at wavehill.org.