The NYPD is boosting its efforts to reach out to the city's deaf community.
Officers attended a meet-and-greet event in Gramercy Park on Saturday.
The department says it hopes the gathering can help its officers find more effective ways to communicate with the deaf population.
We spoke with the NYPD's first deaf staff member who says this event is important to bridge the gap between police and the hard of hearing community.
"I feel like it's about time," said Kathleen Mattera. "It's about time that deaf people and the cops of the NYPD interact with each other.
"It's a big thing that we're able to learn to communicate with different community groups," said Det. Daniel Nestor. "Because when officers respond and you can't communicate, then it's harder for the person we're responding to."
"In an arrest situation, in an emergency situation with the deaf community I found that it was important for them to see the resources that we have," said Sgt. Andrea Cruz.
The event also included seminars from other city agencies like the Fire Department.