NYC Budget Plan Proposes Major Cuts to Parks Enforcement Patrol, Raising Safety Concerns
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has proposed a $124.7 billion budget that includes significant cuts to the Parks Enforcement Patrol (PEP), reducing the number of officers by one-third. This reduction would eliminate 100 PEP positions, affecting the safety and maintenance of over 1,500 parks and playgrounds across the city. PEP officers are responsible for enforcing park rules, providing security at major events, and managing quality-of-life issues. Critics, including council members and advocacy groups, argue that the cuts will exacerbate existing safety and maintenance challenges in city parks, which have already seen over 1,100 crime incidents reported in 2025. 
