NYC Deploys Anti-violence Groups to Enforce Social Distancing

New York City police officers won’t be responsible for making sure people are adhering to social distancing rules, NBC News reports. 

On Friday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that members of the city's "Cure Violence movement," not police officers, will be the ones enforcing social distancing guidelines.

Also known as the crisis management system, the Cure Violence movement, is made up of 18 organizations that will cover 21 neighborhoods. They typically educate communities about gun violence. Now, they will cover a new topic, coronavirus. 

They will "use the trust that they have built in communities ... to educate people about the coronavirus," de Blasio said. 

The effort will be "of and by and for each community," he added. 

The anti-violence ambassadors will educate people about why social distancing and wearing masks in public is important. 

Last week, the mayor announced police would not longer enforce mask-wearing unless there is a “serious danger.”

The NYPD will now focus on breaking up gatherings, particularly over Memorial Day weekend, and concentrate on neighborhoods that have seen crowds form at restaurants.

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