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Home > Leadership > Mayor > Archive Press Releases > 2007 Archives > April 2007 > MAYOR BROWN ANNOUNCES MOBILE RESPONSE UNIT FIRST QUARTER RESULTS

MAYOR BROWN ANNOUNCES MOBILE RESPONSE UNIT FIRST QUARTER RESULTS


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



Citywide Special Unit Targets High Crime Areas
 
BUFFALO —Mayor Byron W. Brown and Police Commissioner H. McCarthy Gipson today released the First Quarter results of the Mobile Response Unit, which was formed in January 2007 as a special Police Department unit 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, which was a 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 Mobile Response Unit (MRU), incorporating the successful strategy and tactics of Operation Strike Force. The MRU began operations on January 14, 2007.
 
“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 and visitors is our highest priority and I am pleased that the Mobile Response Unit has had a strong and decisive impact over the First Quarter of its operations throughout Buffalo. I commend the men and women police officers of the MRU who have made this effort so successful and I look forward to their continued commitment to serving our law-abiding citizens.”
 
The MRU consists of twenty-four Police Officers, four Lieutenants and two Detectives. Among its activities the Unit collaborates closely with the Department’s Narcotics unit, the DEA Task Force, the ATF and the New York State Division of Parole. The unit also includes a canine patrol dog.
 
Department Chiefs developed a list of top five district “hotspots” that will be targeted by the MRU. The Unit also developed analysis-based targets as well utilized information gathered from Patrol, Narcotics and Homicide intelligence. They 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.”