City leaders officially announced the creation of a new police precinct in southeast Queens on Tuesday.
Mayor de Blasio included $70 million in his budget to build the 116th Precinct. It will cover Laurelton, Rosedale, Brookville and Springfield Gardens.
The area is currently part of the 105th precinct, which covers nearly 13 square miles.
The mayor joined other elected leaders and NYPD officials at the 105 to make the official announcement Tuesday.
“We know it will contribute to driving down crime, driving down violence, and addressing quality of life crime,” de Blasio said. “That's such a concern for so many of the communities of southeast Queens.”
“The precinct was just too big,” added Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. “And no matter who the leadership was of the 105, they worked so hard to make sure to respond as much as what they could with response times being what they were. But at the end of the day, the 116th Precinct will save lives.”
Police Commissioner William Bratton says the NYPD is currently trying to determine the best location for the new precinct. He also said it could include portions of other nearby precincts, not just the 105.