Coronavirus Update: NYC Scraps Social Distancing Streets, Says Space Was Underutilized, NYPD Needed Elsewhere
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – New York City is suspending its safe streets pilot program because it's being underutilized, officials say.
Back on March 27, the city shut down a street in four of the five boroughs, so residents had somewhere to practice social distancing outside.
Officials said the goal was to reduce crowding in parks and playgrounds.
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
- Resources, Hotlines, Unemployment & Covering Bills
- Remote Learning Tools For Parents Teaching At Home
- Ask Dr. Max Your Health Questions
- How Make Your Own DIY Face Mask
- How To Safely Remove Disposable Gloves
- Complete Coronavirus Coverage
Apparently, not enough people took advantage of the program to justify the police manpower.
The mayor's office said it required 80 officers to close six to seven blocks each day.
CORONAVIRUS: NY Health Dept. | NY Call 1-(888)-364-3065 | NYC Health Dept. | NYC Call 311, Text COVID to 692692 | NJ COVID-19 Info Hub | NJ Call 1-(800)-222-1222 or 211, Text NJCOVID to 898211 | CT Health Dept. | CT Call 211 | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
As the NYPD deals with a rise in sick-outs, the department's resources are stretched thin as is.
By Sunday evening, 1,843 uniformed members and 274 civilian members had tested positive for the coronavirus. More than 18% of the uniformed workforce called out sick.
PHOTO GALLERY: A Look Inside NYC's Viral 'Warzone'
"The brave men and women of the NYPD never back away from a challenge when the safety of New Yorkers is at stake," the mayor's office said in a statement. "We are suspending this pilot because we must protect them like they are protecting us, and not enough New Yorkers are utilizing this program to justify its continuation at this point in time."
