During a particularly violent summer, shootings in the city almost doubled what they were this time a year ago.
Brownsville, Brooklyn was one of the areas most affected by this surge in gun violence.
In an exclusive interview with NY1, Police Commissioner Dermot Shea weighed in on Brownsville's new strategy to bring gun cases into federal courts.
The biggest issue for the area has been with bail and putting dangerous people back on the streets. Now, Brownsville’s 73rd precinct is taking on federal assistance.
Commissioner Shea said this is something the NYPD had been exploring more and more.
"We work with the federal authorities. We work with the state. We're not shy. We will take help wherever it comes from with this to keep people safe. Barbara is the detective squad commander in the 7-3 and she does a phenomenal job, but it's frustrating from our point of view, that revolving door. That's the piece that's not spoken about enough. We need dangerous people off the street,” said Shea.
Shea said that New York considering "dangerousness" is a healthy discussion because the status quo at the moment is not working.
The police commissioner also commented on the MTA’s recent decision to fine riders not wearing masks. He said the NYPD will work with its MTA partners to ensure commuters wear face coverings.
Ideally, he does not want to have summonses issued to avoid “further hurting people that are already hurting,” but is aiming for 100 percent compliance.
Addressing backlash that NYPD officers themselves at times do not wear masks, Shea said the majority do, but noted the same rules apply to officers and that they must comply. He does not want to go the route of issuing summonses, but said they are an option on the table if necessary.