Mayor Eric Adams announced a new task force to target “ghost cars” with altered or forged license plates that evade detection by traffic cameras on Thursday, September 18th. This interagency team involves 15 New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers assigned to work under the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY). The task force began operations on September 10 and has already removed 295 ghost cars.
Mayor Adams highlighted the severity of the issue, stating, “Far too often, ghost cars are not only used to evade toll readers, but are also being used in more serious crimes, including shootings, robberies, and hit-and-runs.” Adams emphasized that vehicles left on city streets with fake plates will be removed. Interim Police Commissioner Thomas Donlon reinforced this stance, mentioning that this task force builds on previous efforts by the NYPD to identify and seize illegal vehicles. DSNY Commissioner Jessica Tisch added, “These untraceable vehicles show up at the scenes of serious crimes like robbery, trafficking, or assault.”
The task force’s primary aim is to clear the streets of ghost cars that pose safety risks. Before the recent enforcement began, efforts focused mainly on ghost cars in motion, at toll plazas, or while driving on streets. Now, the task force is addressing parked ghost cars, resembling a successful past collaboration between the NYPD and DSNY to remove abandoned vehicles. According to Donlon, this initiative will improve public safety and enforce accountability.
Mayor Adams also acknowledged the economic impact of ghost cars. These vehicles are often tied to unpaid tolls, taxes, and fees, costing the city millions. Commissioner Tisch explained that the seized vehicles will be stored at NYPD lots, where they will be processed, claimed, auctioned, or destroyed. Mayor Adams urged, “Our streets must be safer, and that’s why our teams will continue to work 24/7 to ensure New Yorkers’ safety.”
The interagency collaboration has already yielded significant results, with more than 2,200 ghost cars removed from New York City streets.
