NCJ Number
117371
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 58 Issue: 4 Dated: (April 1989) Pages: 1-8
Date Published
1989
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Operation Pressure Point represents a comprehensive law enforcement effort to combat drug problems in the Lower East Side of New York City.
Abstract
The program consisted of two phases. During the enforcement phase, proactive, highly visible, uniformed patrols worked in tandem with narcotics division plainclothes detectives in the most drug-prone segments of the target area. As each area became stabilized, the units moved to another segment, leaving a small force behind to prevent a recurrence of drug activity. Phase 2, the neighborhood involvement program, was implemented when the entire target area was stabilized and the community was showing confidence in the police effort. This phase was designed to stimulate the community to take an active role in reclaiming their neighborhoods from drug dealers and users. From January to December, 1984, program personnel made 11,041 arrests and also freed the streets of robbers, thieves, and murderers. They issued some 45,000 summonses for traffic and administrative code violations, most of which were drug-related. As of June 1988, personnel had made 36,247 arrests, an average of 25 arrests per day. As a part of the neighborhood involvement program, flyers were distributed, the number of community affairs officers was doubled, a drug offense reporting hotline was established, and a "recover" hotline and self-help community center for substance abusers and their families and friends was implemented. In addition, a program targeting drug distribution at schools and an educational program were developed. 3 photographs, 1 table, and 3 footnotes.