In a bold act of vandalism, seven NYPD vehicles belonging to the debated Strategic Response Group had their tires slashed in Brooklyn, officials reported on Wednesday. This specialized police unit, which has been under scrutiny for its aggressive tactics, faces potential disbandment under Mayor Mamdani’s administration.
The incident came to light outside the group’s headquarters located on Coney Island Avenue near Caton Avenue in the Kensington neighborhood around 4:30 p.m. on Monday. This discovery coincided with the aftermath of a historic blizzard that had blanketed the city with approximately 20 inches of snow.
According to police, nine tires across the seven marked vehicles were either slashed or punctured. Investigators are now combing through the area for surveillance footage that might reveal the identity of the perpetrator.
Mayor Mamdani, during his mayoral campaign, strongly criticized the Strategic Response Group for its handling of large demonstrations, citing allegations of excessive force. He pledged to disband the unit, a promise he has reiterated since taking office.
During his campaign for mayor, Mamdani promised to disband the Strategic Response Group, which is routinely called in to handle large protests and has been accused of excessive force at rallies.
After becoming mayor, he renewed his vow to rid the city of these teams.
“We need to disband the SRG, and I’m currently in conversations with the police commissioner about the ways in which we can do so that are operational,” Mamdani told reporters in late January.
The squad, which was created by former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton in 2015 to respond to large-scale emergencies that local precinct cops couldn’t handle.
