Informational Services
As "New York's Most Helpful," Public Safety Officers double as information agents. PSOs are a friendly and helpful resource in finding your way around the neighborhood and learning about daily activities and events in times Square. Don’t be shy - talk to your friendly neighborhood Public Safety Officer today.
Security Services
Public Safety Officers assist the NYPD in deterring crime as they patrol the district on foot. PSOs are also certified in anti-terrorism training and are connected to emergency services a 24-hour through dispatcher service, mobile tablets and radios. They conduct the following operations to keep the district safe:
Security Checks
Public Safety Officers conduct regular security checks for suspicious materials using specially trained canine dogs that can detect hazardous or potentially-dangerous substances around the neighborhood.
Canine Patrols
The Alliance has initiated regular patrols by bomb-sniffing canine units to provide an additional security presence and a highly visible deterrent. It has long been said that the Times Square Alliance's Public Safety Officers are the "eyes and ears" of the NYPD in Times Square - now, these canine units will serve as the "nose!"
Flash Bulletins
The Alliance regularly provides flash email bulletins, informing local businesses and residents of any important information or developments affecting Times Square.
Special Surveys
Alliance Public Safety Officers participate in regular surveys to monitor conditions in Times Square, tracking various conditions within the district. PSOs also speak regularly with business owners and employees of ground-floor retail spaces to discuss constituent concerns and other important information. PSOs work closely with Breaking Ground to monitor the numbers of homeless in the area as well as connect those individuals with various social services in the city.
Stats and Services
Every day, Public Safety Officers report dozens of conditions in Times Square to internal and city agencies, working to identify and correct conditions before visitors even notice them. The Alliance also collects detailed information on the district's quality of life street conditions. If you have questions or would like to report a specific quality of life condition, please email StreetWatch@TimesSquareNYC.org.
Times Square Alliance
Operations Dashboard
Times Square Alliance
Operations Dashboard
PSOs work to safeguard mentally ill or emotionally disturbed persons who do not voluntarily seek medical assistance.
Emotionally Disturbed Persons (EDPs) are persons who appear deranged and are conducting themselves in a manner which is likely to cause serious injury to themselves or others.
An emotionally ill person who voluntarily seeks medical attention will be treated as an Aided Case.
When a PSO reasonably believes a person is likely to cause serious injury to themselves or others, the PSO will:
1. Assess the situation, notify the dispatcher and request the NYPD.
2. Establish a Zone of Safety
3. Await NYPD and EMS personnel.
4. Submit a GEOPAL report of the details of the incident.
PSOs work to safeguard mentally ill or emotionally disturbed persons who do not voluntarily seek medical assistance.
Emotionally Disturbed Persons (EDPs) are persons who appear deranged and are conducting themselves in a manner which is likely to cause serious injury to themselves or others.
An emotionally ill person who voluntarily seeks medical attention will be treated as an Aided Case.
When a PSO reasonably believes a person is likely to cause serious injury to themselves or others, the PSO will:
1. Assess the situation, notify the dispatcher and request the NYPD.
2. Establish a Zone of Safety
3. Await NYPD and EMS personnel.
4. Submit a GEOPAL report of the details of the incident.
