NCJ Number
145550
Date Published
1992
Length
16 pages
Annotation
The Civil Enforcement Initiative of the New York City Police Department is part of the Department's community policing philosophy; it combines criminal and civil remedies into a comprehensive strategy for solving community problems.
Abstract
Approved by the police commissioner in September 1991, the initiative began as a pilot project in the 52nd precinct in the Bronx. The commanding officer listed locations of persistent illegal activity, including houses of prostitution, areas overtaken by street prostitution, open drug-selling locations, garages that dismantle stolen cars, gambling locations, and premises that sell alcohol to underage individuals. A plan that combined civil and criminal enforcement strategies was developed for each location. Civil remedies included nuisance abatement, padlocks, evictions, forfeiture actions, and injunctive relief. The Civil Enforcement Initiative gradually expanded to other precincts throughout the city. Appended descriptions of civil enforcement actions