The Parks Enforcement Patrol (PEP) performs many roles for the City of New York Parks & Recreation Department: enforcing public health rules like the smoking ban and dog leash requirements, promoting good order in crowded park areas, and balancing the needs of concession carts, pedicabs, musicians, and artists with those of general park users.
Less known is the important role that PEP plays in reaching out and assisting homeless individuals in parks citywide. On cold nights especially, Parks Enforcement Patrol travel park areas, searching for homeless, making respectful contact, and helping them access shelters and other services that can keep them safe and alive. Many homeless individuals struggle with health, addiction, and other problems and the effort to engage and assist them is challenging.
The Department’s Bronx team in particular has been on the forefront of these efforts. Bronx PEP has worked closely with a non-profit called Bronx Works and in partnership with the Department of Homeless Services. Bronx Works is making huge inroads in reducing street homelessness in the Bronx and has credited the work and compassion of our PEP officers in this effort.
For these efforts, the Bronx PEP crew was honored at this past October’s Best of Parks Awards Ceremony with the Beyond the Call Award.
Marlena Poelz-Giga; PEP Sergeant
Jerry Cordero; PEP Sergeant
Juan Bayron; PEP Sergeant
William Cardoza; PEP Captain
Peter Chinsky; UPR
Mario Carrillo; UPR
Donette Davis; UPR
Renee Rowell; UPR
Darlene Lewis; UPR
