Decades-old NYC policy requires NYPD to open public pools, leading to frequent delays
Gothamist • • sports
Key Points:
- Last summer, New York City’s public pools experienced frequent delays in opening due to NYPD officers arriving late for their required shifts, with data showing 214 delayed sessions across 51 outdoor pools.
- The policy mandating police presence before pools open aims to ensure safety following past incidents of violence, but the delays reduced already limited swim time amid ongoing lifeguard shortages.
- NYPD officials disputed the parks department’s data, claiming many delays were due to other factors like mechanical issues, and emphasized their commitment to officer punctuality.
- Advocacy groups criticized the delays as a significant loss of valuable public swimming hours, while some community members and former officials stressed the importance of police presence for safety.
- The pools reopened for the 2026 season with most locations operating as usual, except for the Red Hook Pool, which remains closed due to equipment damage.
