When I look at the recent numbers for New York City, one thing keeps standing out: cases where police use force have been going up again. It’s not a big spike, and it’s not something most people are talking about, but the increase is steady enough that it caught my attention. And here in The Bronx, even small changes in this area make a real difference in daily life.

Over the past year, I’ve also been hearing more stories from people around the block. Stories about regular interactions with police that felt more tense than they needed to be. These aren’t dramatic or extreme situations. They’re the everyday moments: a stop that got too heated too fast, a conversation that turned sharp for no clear reason, or a misunderstanding that could have gone better. When I compare those stories with the numbers, they line up. The Bronx is seeing more of these cases, and even if the increase isn’t huge, it matters.

This is especially concerning because the borough has worked hard over the years to build better relationships between the community and the police. A lot of people have put in real effort: local groups, respected community voices, officers who grew up here and that work has helped. So when things start shifting in the wrong direction, even slowly, it’s worth taking a moment to pay attention and ask what’s going on.

I’m not sharing this to put anyone on the defensive. I’m sharing it because it’s top of mind for me, and we all know it’s easier to fix a small problem than a big one. This is the kind of trend that’s better to look at early rather than late. The Bronx is a place where people feel changes in policing right away so it’s important we notice what’s happening while it’s still manageable.

A Few Simple Tips to Help Keep Police Interactions Calm

These tips are pretty simple. I wanted to share because I think too often we forget that there are things we can do to manage a tense situation before it escalates. Even though it’s the officer’s responsibility to maintain a civilized interaction, we can increase the chances it stays calm and uneventful. That’s not to say that if police do something wrong they shouldn’t be held to account. I just mean there are practical things that can be helpful when dealing with high-stress situations with police. Here’s a few:

• Move slowly and keep your hands where people can see them, ideally on the steering wheel. Quick motions can make things confusing and cause an escalation.

• If you’re unsure what an officer wants, ask them to repeat it. “Can you say that again?” It can calm things down.

• If you need to reach for something, say what you’re doing first. Example: “My wallet is in my back pocket. I’m going to take it out.”

• If you’re with other people, let one person talk, the driver. Too many voices can make situations feel chaotic. Get control of your passengers before the officer approaches. Tell them to keep their hands visible and to sit still.

• If you’re the dominant passenger in a vehicle, calm your driver and let them speak to the officer without interruption. I’ve seen situations where the vehicle owner was a passenger, and it’s not a good idea to dominate the interaction. Let the driver focus.

• If the moment feels tense, pause before speaking, keep your voice steady and either stick to short answers or say you won’t answer questions without your attorney. You don’t have to answer any questions. I realize that’s easier said than done, but it’s your right. You can be friendly and give a cooperative vibe without sharing information they have no right to demand.

• Know where your ID and documents are before you need them. It removes one point of stress from the interaction. But don’t be reaching for it until the officer arrives and asks for it. They can typically see motion in the car and it could appear you’re hiding something. Take away that suspicion.

• Have a local attorney in your phone’s favorites. I know it sounds like something an attorney would say, but it’s true. Find an attorney you’d feel comfortable calling from the scene of an accident or from jail, and have them already in your phone. You never know how a police interaction could turn.

These steps don’t solve every issue, and they don’t replace the bigger changes that still need to happen. But they can make difficult moments a little safer and a little easier to get through.

What I’m hoping for is just that all of us in the Bronx stay aware of what’s happening, that we don’t brush off the rise in these cases just because it’s quiet, and that we keep working to protect the progress the borough has already made. Even small trends matter here, and the sooner we notice them, the sooner we can make sure they don’t grow into something bigger.

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