Bronx Community Board 7 is calling on the City Parks’ department to install an additional PEP station in Van Cortlandt Park in the Northwest Bronx to assist with park patrol. The motion was presented and approved at the March 28th Bronx Community Board 7 general board meeting.

The request comes as NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue joined District 17 City Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr. to unveil a Bronx Mobile Command Vehicle for the Parks Enforcement Patrol (PEP) in the South Bronx on Tuesday, March 28. Procured with $205,000 in funding from the council member, Parks officials said the truck complements NYC Parks’ existing emergency management infrastructure and enhances PEP’s ability to coordinate during emergencies and special operations.

“The safety of our park patrons is our number one priority, and our dedicated Parks Enforcement Patrol deserves the very best equipment possible to support this mission,” said Donoghue. “I thank Council Member Salamanca for allocating the funding to purchase this truck, and I thank our wonderful PEP staff for keeping visitors to our Bronx parks safe year-round.”

For his part, Salamanca, Jr. said, “As the city’s greenest borough, Bronxites lacking yards have used the New York City parks system as a retreat from the dense neighborhoods they reside in. With a record number of Bronxites utilizing public green spaces in the post-COVID era, it is important NYC Parks has the necessary infrastructure to maintain clean and safe parklands.”

He continued, “As such, I have allocated $676,000 in capital funding for various additions to the Parks fleet since taking office, including $205,000 in funding for the state-of-the-art mobile command station unveiled today. Thanks to the new mobile command station, Bronxites will feel an extra sense of security as they visit our beautiful South Bronx parks.”

According to Parks’ officials, the new Bronx Mobile Command Vehicle will provide support for PEP staff during extended operations, such as special task force operations and details. They said the truck will also serve as a coordination point for the Emergency Management Unit and will support emergency management operations in The Bronx. Equipped with radios, computer work stations, and phones, officials said the truck will allow central communications dispatchers to stay in constant contact with staff.

The number of parks-related incidents which impact upon people’s safety is likely to increase as the summer months approach and the parks become more populated, as is the case every year in the borough. Norwood News has reported on a number of such incidents in the past. In addition to safety concerns, including those related to e-bike accidents, other top concerns are excessive trash, encampments, and late night and early morning incessant noise keeping neighbors awake who have to work the following day.

On the positive side, we have also reported on specific vending opportunities and requests for proposals in the City’s various parks, along with news on skate park openings, issues around parkland space, parks exhibits, commemorations, park re-namings and extended summer access, such as in the case around the Highbridge.

Salamanca represents the South Bronx neighborhoods of Concourse Village, Crotona Park East, East Tremont, Hunts Point, Longwood, Melrose, Morrisania, Port Morris, West Farms, North Brother Island, and South Brother Island.

Norwood News contacted NYC Parks to ask for more information on the referenced “special task force operations and details” referenced in connection with the South Bronx mobile unit, as well as whether the mobile initiative will be expanded to other parts of the Bronx. We will update this story upon receipt of any feedback we receive.