Mayor Adams Takes Steps, Shares Resources to Help New Yorkers Enjoy a Safe July 4th Weekend

July 1, 2022

NYPD Officers Will Be on the Ground Across the City to Prevent Crime and Gun Violence

NYPD Enforcement, City Messaging Will Target Impaired Driving

New Yorkers Advised to Swim Only Where Lifeguards Are Present, Take Advantage of Cooling Options Citywide, Watch July 4th Fireworks Safely

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced new measures and shared resources to help New Yorkers enjoy a safe July 4th holiday weekend by preventing crime and gun violence, cracking down on impaired driving, and offering other health and safety guidance. As part of the city’s efforts, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) will have officers on the ground throughout the five boroughs to prevent crime with a particular focus on gun violence. The NYPD will also focus traffic enforcement on impaired driving, while the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) and the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) will disseminate messaging and offer alternative transportation options to prevent impaired and reckless driving. The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation is reminding all New Yorkers and visitors to swim on beaches only when and where lifeguards are present, and the Cool It! NYC map highlights locations for New Yorkers to cool down across the city. The New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) is providing guidance for watching the July 4th fireworks safely, without creating risk of a dangerous fall from a rooftop, terrace, balcony, or fire escape.

“We are going to use every tool in our toolbox to provide New Yorkers a safe and enjoyable July 4th holiday weekend,” said Mayor Adams. “I want to say to all New Yorkers and those visiting our city: Use these resources, stay safe, and have a great time. Happy July 4th, New York City.”

Crime and Gun Violence: NYPD uniformed officers will be working around the clock, in every borough to keep New Yorkers safe. The Patrol Services Bureau is assigning uniformed borough executives to the field overseeing rank-and-file officers on foot posts in targeted areas to increase police presence to deter crime and violence. Additionally, elements of the NYPD’s Summer Violence Strategy will be in place to ensure robust coverage particularly in the areas of the city experiencing upticks in violent crime. Since the Summer Violence Strategy rolled out on May 1, shootings are down 19 percent as compared to a year ago. As in past years, NYPD’s fireworks suppression efforts are underway with teams of officers who work simultaneously to prevent or address gun violence. In addition to visible officers as part of the NYPD’s plans for a safe July 4th holiday, the department’s assets in the air, on the water, and in the subway system are being mobilized in directed maneuvers. There will also be unseen elements, with a network of cameras feeding back real-time images to the Joint Operation Center acting as a force multiplier for the officers on the ground.

Safe Driving: NYPD will be extra vigilant in removing impaired drivers from our streets. Stepped-up enforcement will begin Friday and continue through the early morning hours of Tuesday. Officers will be deployed on highways and on local streets with an increased focus on impaired drivers, including drunk and drugged driving. Simultaneously, DOT will continue its anti-impaired driving messaging on social media channels, targeting peak times and holiday weekends to maximize awareness. TLC-licensed taxis and for-hire vehicles are safe alternatives for anyone who is unable to drive themselves to their destination.

Beach and Pool Access: The Parks Department is reminding New Yorkers about the importance of water safety along its 14 miles of beaches. No one should take the unnecessary risk of swimming in closed off areas or areas not staffed with a lifeguard. Instead, swim only when lifeguards are on duty. Closed beaches are red flagged – meaning there is no lifeguard in the area and swimming in that area is not allowed. Lifeguards are on duty at designated beaches daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Parks’ 51 outdoor pools can be found across the five boroughs and are open seven days a week from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with a break from 3:00 to 4:00 PM.

Staying Cool: For those staying close to home, the Parks Department has highlighted cooling elements citywide on its Cool It! NYC map. The map helps people find the closest outdoor pools, spray showers, and water fountains in their neighborhoods, as well as the leafiest blocks and parks with the most shade to help stay cool this summer.

Avoiding Dangerous Falls: DOB is reminding property owners and tenants of safety regulations regarding the use of rooftops, terraces, balconies, and fire escapes. These regulations apply all year and are particularly relevant this holiday weekend, as New Yorkers look for vantage points to view July 4th fireworks. Unauthorized use of building roofs and fire escapes have tragically led to fatal falls in recent years, and the risk of deadly falls is heightened when these spaces are overcrowded. New Yorkers should take safety precautions and not access building rooftops to watch the fireworks unless the rooftop has an approved deck or other approved space for gatherings. Do not gather to watch the fireworks on fire escapes, and do not lean out of a window or over a ledge or railing for a better view of the fireworks display.

“As America approaches another birthday, the city is committed to ensuring that residents celebrate safely. From the beaches to the city streets, our resources will be dedicated to preventing dangerous behavior,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “I commend the mayor for using all of the tools at his disposal to keep New Yorkers safe and secure.”

“The Fourth of July weekend is a time to spend with family, friends, and neighbors,” said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks. “It is not a time for reckless or selfish behavior. Public safety is about the collective caring for community and one another. Drinking and driving, the use of illegal fireworks, excessive intoxication, aggressive driving, and violence are the type of actions that can turn a fun summer weekend bad for everyone. Safety is not accidental. It starts with awareness and self-control.”

“As New Yorkers celebrate this holiday weekend, we are reminding New Yorkers about safety, including reminding those driving to act responsibly,” said DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “We encourage those celebrating to take mass transit — but if you do get behind the wheel, there is no excuse for deadly driving that endangers yourself and others. We thank the mayor and members of the police force who are out keeping our streets safe.”

“New Yorkers are lucky to have a robust set of transportation alternatives — including over 150,000 professionally licensed TLC drivers — to ensure that there is never a reason to drive under the influence,” said TLC Commissioner David Do. “I urge New Yorkers to take advantage of these options, this weekend and always, to keep yourselves and your fellow New Yorkers safe from dangerous driving.”

“This holiday weekend, please celebrate safely: If you’re planning to go to the beach, remember to only swim where lifeguards are on duty,” said Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “Lifeguards are there to protect you, so please follow their lead, and if a beach is red-flagged, do not enter the water.”

“We understand that New Yorkers have a special relationship with their rooftops, but the risk of a serious fall with life-changing consequences this holiday weekend is real. We want everyone to have a safe and happy Fourth of July — and to do that, New Yorkers need to make sure they select an appropriate place for their gatherings and to view the fireworks,” said DOB Commissioner Eric Ulrich. “Building owners and property managers should proactively reach out to their tenants and let them know that areas like unsecured rooftops and fire escapes are not safe places to enjoy the Fourth of July holiday.”

“As we head into the holiday weekend, the NYPD will step up enforcement to make sure all of our road users enjoy a safe Independence Day holiday,” said NYPD Chief of Transportation Kim Y. Royster. “Our highly trained highway patrol units will be laser-focused on impaired drivers. They will be working with our government partners to remove these drivers off our highways. Police officers will be extra vigilant in removing impaired drivers from our local streets.  This year, we are asking all New Yorkers to do their part and drive sober. Traffic safety is public safety.”