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Home > Leadership > Mayor > Archive Press Releases > 2007 Archives > January 2007 > MAYOR BROWN ANNOUNCES NEW POLICE INITIATIVE

MAYOR BROWN ANNOUNCES NEW POLICE INITIATIVE


Source / Contact
Office of the Mayor
Peter K. Cutler
Director of Communications
716-851-4841

Mayor, Police Commissioner Unveil Mobile Response Unit
 
(View OPERATION STRIKEFORCE)
 
BUFFALO —Mayor Byron W. Brown and Police Commissioner H. McCarthy Gipson today announced the formation of a special Police Department unit, the Mobile Response Unit, which is designed to target and eliminate areas of high crime, illegal guns, gang activity and drug trafficking throughout Buffalo.
 
Following the success of Operation Strike Force (see attached data), which was a special Police Department mobile response unit that operated from August 12, 2006 through November 19, 2006, Commissioner Gipson and his management team recommended disbanding the Department’s Flex Unit and replace it with the Mobil Response Unit (MRU), incorporating the successful strategy and tactics of Operation Strike Force.
 
“As I have continually stated since taking office, my Administration will constantly review and examine best practices and initiatives that will make Buffalo stronger, safer and more attractive for investment and development,” stated Mayor Brown. “The safety and protection of our residents is our highest priority and, judging by the success of Operation Strike Force over its 100 days of operation, Commissioner Gipson and I determined that it would strengthen our police efforts to create a permanent Mobile Response Unit that will target illegal and violent actions that hurt our residents’ quality of life”
 
The MRU will consist of twenty-four Police Officers, four Lieutenants and two Detectives, positions will be determined by seniority as per the CBA. Among its activities the Unit will collaborate closely with the Department’s Narcotics unit, the DEA Task Force, the ATF and the New York State Division of Parole. The unit will also include a canine patrol dog.
 
Department Chiefs will develop a list of top five district “hot spots” that will be targeted by the MRU. The Unit will develop analysis-based targets as well utilize information gathered from Patrol, Narcotics and Homicide intelligence. They will also work closely with City housing Inspectors.
 
“The success of Operation Strike Force convinced us that this mobile, rapid response law enforcement strategy was extremely valuable in attacking criminal activity, keeping the bad guys guessing and interrupting and eliminating many illegal acts,” said Commissioner Gipson. “Our commitment to being mobile, agile and hostile toward criminal behavior in Buffalo is at the essence of the creation of the Mobile Response Unit.”
 
The Mobile response Unit will be formally launched on January 14, 2007.