Since its establishment in 1973, the Police Department has operated out of its headquarters at 1 Police Plaza in Manhattan, where journalists have occupied offices referred to as “the shack.” This space, conveniently located within the building, has allowed reporters easy access to department officials.
However, recent developments have indicated that Mayor Eric Adams’ administration plans to relocate journalists to a trailer situated outside the building, a decision that has provoked criticism from news outlets and various organizations. This move follows other actions by the Adams administration, which critics argue are intended to impede scrutiny of government operations. Additionally, Mayor Adams hinted at the possibility of limiting the number of reporters each news outlet can have in Room 9, the City Hall pressroom.
According to a statement from the police, the trailer outside 1 Police Plaza is significantly larger than “the shack” and features conference rooms and amenities. The relocation, in the works since Adams assumed office in 2022, aims to accommodate reporters from additional outlets seeking to cover the department, as per the unsigned statement.
In response, seven news outlets, including The New York Times, penned a letter to the department expressing surprise at the sudden relocation and urging a delay until concerns are addressed. The letter emphasized the importance of proximity and access to NYPD officers for producing well-informed reporting.
The police department had previously attempted to move reporters out of “the shack” during Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s tenure but ultimately backed off. While the department claimed that Deputy Commissioner Tarik Sheppard had briefed representatives from each outlet about the move, many reporters asserted they had not received official communication.
Debra Toppeta, president of the New York Press Club, condemned the plans as contrary to the First Amendment rights of journalists. She highlighted the historical significance of reporters’ easy access to the police, citing its role in covering numerous stories that have impacted New Yorkers.
Mayor Eric Adams defended the decision during a news conference, framing it as an initiative to diversify the media covering the police, asserting that the current outlets did not reflect the city’s diversity.
