Staten Island’s police force is currently smaller than it was back in 1968, despite the fact that the island’s population has doubled since then.
This reduction in the number of officers has sped up in recent years, causing concern among local leaders who have noted a 16% decrease in the police presence over the last five years alone.
Today, the NYPD deploys about 630 officers on Staten Island, a stark contrast to the 800 officers who served there in 1968.
With a population of 495,000, Staten Island is larger than cities like Miami, Cleveland, or Pittsburgh.
“We are in ongoing discussions to make sure that Staten Island receives adequate personnel,” Borough President Vito Fossella stated at a press briefing on Wednesday. “We will continue these discussions to secure the resources Staten Island expects and deserves.”
In spite of having fewer officers on patrol, major crime has decreased by 5.7% from January 1 to March 29 compared to the same timeframe last year, and there have been no reported murders in 2026 so far, according to data from the NYPD.
But one of the island’s four precincts, the 121st on the north shore, saw a 39% surge in assaults, from from 49 to 68, and a 17% spike in robberies, from 12 to 14.
Robberies also increased in the mid-island’s 122nd precinct by 9% from 11 to 12.
Staten Island DA Michael McMahon’s office said there is a dire need for more cops.
“The number one issue we hear from our NYPD partners is personnel. They are stretched too thin, especially on Staten Island,” a spokesperson told The Post. “This reality has a massive impact on local law enforcement’s ability to properly deter and investigate crime.”
Staten Island has been “remarkably safe this year so far,” an NYPD spokesperson told The Post.
“The NYPD puts cops where the crime is – that is policing 101. Thanks to the incredible work of the members of the NYPD, major crime is down on Staten Island, including zero murders so far this year. We are constantly monitoring crime across the city, and we deploy officers where they are needed most.”
As Staten Island worries about police staffing shortages, Mayor Mamdani has scrapped plans to add 5,000 more cops to the city’s force.
Mamdani walked back former Eric Adams’ plans to raise the number city police officers from 35,000 to 40,000 in February — sticking to his campaign promise to freeze hiring above that level.
Mamdani’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
