A recent decision by the administration of New York City Mayor Eric Adams to move police reporters from their traditional offices within 1 Police Plaza to a trailer outside has sparked criticism and complaints from news outlets and organizations. The relocation plan, which comes amid other moves perceived as limiting scrutiny of government operations, has raised concerns about transparency and access to information. The friction intensified as Mayor Adams hinted at potential restrictions on the number of reporters each news outlet can have in the City Hall pressroom.
Since the establishment of the Police Department’s headquarters at 1 Police Plaza in Manhattan in 1973, reporters, working in what is colloquially known as “the shack,” have had close access to department officials. However, the recent decision to relocate journalists to a larger trailer outside the building has triggered backlash, with several news outlets, including The New York Times, The New York Daily News, and The Associated Press, expressing surprise and discontent.
Seven news outlets jointly penned a letter to the Police Department, calling for a delay in the relocation until concerns are addressed. The letter emphasized the historical importance of their offices’ proximity to the police department and the benefits derived from well-informed reporting. The lack of communication and official notices about the move added to the discontent among reporters and media organizations.
The police department defended the decision, stating that the move had been in progress since Mayor Adams took office in 2022. The larger trailer outside 1 Police Plaza was said to accommodate additional outlets seeking to cover the department. The department asserted that Tarik Sheppard, the deputy commissioner of public information, had met with representatives from each outlet in the shack to explain the move. However, many reporters claimed they had received no official communication regarding the planned relocation.
During a news conference, Mayor Eric Adams defended the decision, portraying it as an effort to diversify media coverage of the police. He argued that the news outlets with access to 1 Police Plaza did not reflect the diversity of the city, and the move aimed to broaden the types of media covering police activities. The mayor highlighted the need to include local and ethnic media, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives.
Critics view the relocation as part of a series of decisions by the Adams administration that restrict media access and transparency. The mayor has faced criticism for limiting off-topic questions from reporters, ceasing voluntary disclosure of administration-lobbyist meetings, and delaying the regular release of detailed schedules. Additionally, the Police Department’s introduction of a $500 million encrypted radio system has raised concerns about limiting public access to communication.
The controversy surrounding the plan to move police reporters to a trailer outside 1 Police Plaza reflects broader concerns about transparency and media access in the Adams administration. As the dispute continues, it underscores the delicate balance between government transparency and the role of the media in scrutinizing public operations.
