A new app Parent Patrol allows parents to report inappropriate behavior in parks. NY1's Shannan Ferry tells us why a Queens lawmaker launched it.
During his free time, State Assemblyman Ron Kim said he loves to take his daughter, Olive, to play at different parks in Queens. But lately, he said he hasn't felt as safe taking her to them.
"I had a couple of confrontations with people who were loitering around at kids playgrounds without any children and making other kids feel uncomfortable," said Kim.
So, Kim teamed up with a software developer to launch a new app called 'Parent Patrol' this month. It's free, and allows parents and caregivers to report suspicious park behavior by taking videos and submitting comments.
"We're trying to be a hyper local 311, because when you call 311 now sometimes it takes months even for them to respond," said Kim.
Kim said more than 900 users are already on the app.
He said the app was partly inspired by two incidents that happened at Bowne Playground in Flushing earlier this year.
In July, police said a man sexually abused and robbed a 12-year-old girl. In that same month, police said another man grabbed an 8-year-old boy.
"The neighborhood changed a little bit, so as parents we are worried about that," said parent Laura Zelada.
Kim said parents should still call 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency. He said the reports sent in through the Parent Patrol app get sent directly to him and his staff.
"And then we engage the local stakeholders, so we send it out to the community boards, the local precinct," said Kim.
Kim designed the app independently, not in coordination with the city.
The Parks Department said Queens has 50 Parks Enforcement Patrol officers and that they communicate closely with local police precincts about any issues that may need attention.
Parks spokesperson Crystal Howard went on to say in a statement in part "NYC Parks is committed to ensuring a safe recreational environment for all parkgoers."