In a bold move to restore order and safety on New York City streets, Mayor Eric Adams has launched a pioneering interagency task force aimed at eliminating the menace of illegal “ghost cars.”

These vehicles, notorious for their forged or altered license plates, have become virtually untraceable by traffic cameras and toll readers, often being linked to serious crimes such as shootings, robberies, and hit-and-runs.

The newly formed task force, comprising officers from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the Department of Sanitation (DSNY), has already removed 295 ghost cars in its first five days of operation.

“Far too often, ghost cars are not only used to evade toll readers, but are also being used in more serious crimes,” stated Mayor Adams. “Our streets must be safer, and that’s why our teams will continue to work 24/7 to ensure New Yorkers’ safety.”

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Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi declared, “The era of the free ride is over. Whether you’re using a ghost plate to evade a toll or create a menace on our streets, you will be caught and you will be prosecuted.”

DSNY Commissioner Jessica Tisch highlighted the diverse tactics of ghost car operators, saying, “Ghost cars come in many flavors. These untraceable vehicles show up at the scenes of serious crimes. Now, we have a strategy to get them where they’re parked, every hour of every day.”

The initiative is part of a broader effort that has seen the removal of over 2,200 ghost cars from city streets through previous collaborations. The vehicles seized will be held at NYPD lots for further processing, potentially being claimed, auctioned, or destroyed.

“This is the clear mandate of our newest interagency task force and the next step toward breaking the well-known link between violent crime and unregistered vehicles,” stated NYPD Interim Police Commissioner Thomas G. Donlon.

New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez emphasized the safety aspect, saying, “Red light and speed cameras save lives and keep New Yorkers safe. Getting ghost cars off our streets improves the lives of hard-working New Yorkers who follow the rules.”

Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar praised the rapid progress, noting, “We have already made incredible progress, removing 295 ghost cars in five days.” She also stressed the need for additional enforcement tools to tackle this pervasive issue more effectively.

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and Staten Island District Attorney Michael E. McMahon echoed the sentiment, underscoring the importance of this task force in restoring public safety and ensuring accountability for all drivers.

With this decisive action, New York City is taking a stand against lawlessness, ensuring that its streets are safer and more secure for all residents.