Jessica S. Tisch

Yesterday, we named the community room in the 116th Precinct after Bess DeBetham, a woman who spent more than 50 years fighting for her community and never letting people forget the promises made to them. When funding for creating this precinct was pulled during the pandemic, Bess refused to back down. She stood firm in the belief that the people of Southeast Queens require the full attention of their city. Now, her name will live inside this building permanently — a reminder that this precinct exists because one woman believed her neighborhood deserved better and never stopped fighting until they got it.

Crime in New York City continues to fall to historic levels: ➡️ Fewest murders ever recorded through the first four months of the year — and for the month of April ➡️ Major crime down 9.5% ➡️ Shooting incidents and victims down double digits compared to last April ➡️ Retail theft in April plunged nearly 18% citywide This progress is driven by our precision policing strategy: targeting illegal guns, concentrating officers in the places driving violence, and building cases against the crews responsible. The men and women of the NYPD are executing that work remarkably, and the results are clear across the city. nypost.com/2026/05/04/us-…

Policing puts you in the middle of situations you didn’t create, often in some of people’s hardest moments. It requires you to act with judgment, composure, and courage. Yesterday, we promoted members of this department at every level who do that remarkable work to keep our city safe. But a promotion is more than a recognition of what you’ve already done, it’s also a statement of confidence in what comes next. Congratulations to all who were promoted!

It was an honor to host the NYPD’s 5th annual Sikh Heritage and Vaisakhi celebration last night at Police Headquarters. Vaisakhi recognizes renewal, responsibility, and service to others. One of the central ideas connected to that tradition is Seva — service not for recognition, but because it is the right thing to do. Police officers understand that instinct, and Sikh officers bring that tradition with them into this department, strengthening the culture of the NYPD. Over these past five years, Sikh representation in the NYPD has increased by 42%, and there are now more than 200 Sikh members serving across this department. That growth did not happen by accident. It reflects the work of the Sikh Officers Association, the example set by Sikh officers already on the job, and the message that there is a place for people here without asking them to leave part of themselves behind.

Here is video of the heroic actions that members of the NYPD took this morning to rescue children and adults from a burning home in Queens. They were hurt. They had just been thrown to the ground by an explosion. And in that moment, with no clear sense of what else they might be walking into, they made the decision to keep moving forward. Their focus stayed exactly where it needed to be: on the people inside, on getting those children out, and on making sure that situation didn’t claim innocent lives.

Today, we added 103 more names to the NYPD’s Hall of Heroes — forever etching their legacies into the history of this department.    When a name is placed here, it joins a line of NYPD members who made the decision to serve this city knowing what that choice could cost them.    These walls signify what that sacrifice has meant across nearly two centuries. Long after assignments change and tours end, these names will stay here as a reminder of what it means to answer this noble calling.     May the memories of these 103 fallen heroes, and of everyone we’ve lost over the years, forever be a blessing.

Detective Anastasios Tsakos was a dedicated cop, a loving husband and father, and a devoted friend who gave his life protecting this city. Five years after he was killed in the line of duty, we are continuing to tell the extraordinary story of this NYPD hero with the unveiling of “Detective Anastasios Tsakos Way” in Astoria, just steps from where he lived. This roadway will forever serve as a reminder of his service and his sacrifice. May his memory continue to be a blessing.

Today’s sentence of Guy Rivera for the murder of Detective Jonathan Diller means Rivera will spend the rest of his life in prison. That is obviously the right result, for him and for anyone who kills a New York City Police Officer. May Detective First Grade Jonathan Diller’s memory continue to be a blessing to Stephanie and Ryan, and Jonathan’s brothers and sisters in blue at the New York City Police Department.

NYPD detectives assigned to the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force have arrested Zahir Davis for the senseless murder of 15-year-old Jaden Pierre in a park in Queens last week. Davis fled to Jamaica following the shooting and was arrested immediately when he landed back in NYC last night.

Too often there are no consequences in the criminal justice system for this type of outrageous behavior. Clearly, it’s time for that to change. My hope and expectation is that Asil Assaidi will be held fully accountable for his actions.

Joining the NYPD is the noblest calling there is, and yesterday we welcomed 1,079 new recruits to the Police Academy. With this new class, we are building on the success of 2025, when we had the largest hiring year on record. This kind of growth reflects a renewed confidence in this profession and in the people who choose it — people who understand the dangers and the sacrifices that this job requires and bravely step forward anyway. Congratulations, and welcome to the NYPD!

These 36 gang members were some of the most violent criminals in New York City, who terrorized Brownsville for years. Thanks to the precision policing of NYPD detectives, they are finally off our streets. nbcnewyork.com/news/local/cri…

There are a number of videos circulating online of an incident that occurred yesterday inside a store in Brooklyn involving two members of the NYPD. As I said at a press conference earlier today, these videos are deeply disturbing, and the matter is under active investigation by the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau. The officers in question are modified. Their guns and shields have been removed.

For more than 30 years, AACEO has brought faith leaders and government officials together to address the challenges impacting our communities. Public safety is a shared responsibility, and AACEO has been a critical partner to the NYPD, helping us build trust and make progress. Thank you to Dr. Bailey and Reverend Waterman for hosting us this morning and for your continued leadership.

This weekend, two of the world’s most sacred holidays overlap on the calendar. Easter and Passover share more than a season — they share a story. A story about suffering endured and overcome, about sacrifice, and about moving from darkness into light. The men and women of the NYPD carry this story forward — not in scripture, but in the streets of NYC. In the safer neighborhood, the crime that didn’t happen, the lives saved. It’s consequential. And the work of building a safer New York is, at its core, the same work: moving people from darkness into light. Happy Easter and Chag Sameach!

Two years ago, Detective Jonathan Diller was ruthlessly murdered in the line of duty while he was doing his job to protect this city. Jonathan did this work without question — he stepped towards danger while others ran away. There is no greater testament to a person’s character than the way they choose to live their life, and Jonathan chose service. Ultimately, he gave his life so that others could be safe, displaying a level of courage most could never imagine. While I am deeply disappointed that Jonathan’s killer was not convicted of the top murder charge, I am grateful that he has been convicted on all other counts. My hope is that the ultimate sentence in this case will reflect the gravity of his actions, and the profound loss he caused for Stephanie, Ryan, the Diller family, the NYPD, and the entire City of New York. Jonathan’s life, his service, and his legacy will forever be a part of the NYPD. May his memory continue to be a blessing. I want to thank Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz for her office’s work on this case.

Policing is unpredictable and unrelenting. Cops are put in situations most people will never have to face — moments where there is no stepping back and no standing by. This morning's promotion ceremony honored and recognized those members of the NYPD who have shown exceptional dedication to this work. When New Yorkers call, they answer every time, without knowing what is on the other end. Congratulations to all who were promoted today, and thank you for everything you give to keep New York City safe.

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Today, we honored Major Sorffly Davius, a man whose life was, in every real way, a life of heroism. Born in Haiti and raised in Queens, his story is a testament to the New York spirit — taking what you have been given and turning it into something that serves others. Sorffly began as an EMT, went on to the FDNY’s elite Rescue Paramedic unit, served in the Air Force and New York National Guard, and continued that work here at home as an NYPD officer — being a peacemaker in places where peace does not come easily. Yet, for the four uniforms he wore, his roles as a husband and father sat at the very center of his life. He approached every responsibility, whether on a mission or at home, with the same care and seriousness. We honor a life defined by a sustained willingness to be relied upon and to do the work others depend on. May God bless his family, and may Major Sorffly Davius’ memory forever be a blessing.