Mayor Adams, Governor Hochul Announce Launch of Highway Emergency Local patrol Program Trucks on Staten Island

June 21, 2023

Free Roadside Emergency Service Units to Be Deployed During Peak Travel Times

New YorkK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the Highway Emergency Local Patrol (HELP) program, which offers roadside assistance to motorists in distress, is expanding to serve Staten Island. Starting immediately, HELP trucks staffed by trained and certified civilian employees of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) will be operating along the Staten Island Expressway during peak weekday travel hours. Trucks will patrol both directions of the expressway between Lily Pond Avenue and the Goethals Bridge from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Mondays through Fridays, to assist motorists who have mechanical difficulties or have been involved in minor accidents. With today's launch on Staten Island, the $3.2 million-a-year citywide HELP program is expanding by 14 miles of patrolled roadway and two additional trucks.

"Bringing the HELP program to Staten Island will help keep New Yorkers safe on our roads with reliable emergency services whenever necessary," said Mayor Adams. "The HELP program provides free roadside assistance to drivers on key roads who may need help, and this expansion will allow us to respond quickly to traffic incidents and keep our roads clear, our economy moving, and our drivers safe."

"The expansion of this crucial service to Staten Island means further assistance for motorists on the Staten Island Expressway, offering them free roadside assistance during peak travel times," said New York Governor Kathy Hochul. "I thank Mayor Adams and the NYPD for their partnership in this endeavor, which means that even more help is on the way for Staten Island motorists."

"Traffic safety is public safety," said NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell. "The expansion of the Highway Emergency Local Patrol program is a critical component of the NYPD's efforts to keep our roadways safe, and I want to thank Mayor Adams, Governor Hochul, the New York State Department of Transportation, our dedicated NYPD traffic enforcement agents, and everyone who worked to make this increased coverage possible."

"Today is a great day because the NYPD and the state Department of Transportation are moving forward with the expansion of the Highway Emergency Local Patrol program. Yes, 'HELP' trucks are coming to the borough of Staten Island," said NYPD Chief of Transportation Kim Y. Royster. "Keeping all road users safe is the primary mission of the NYPD's Transportation Bureau, and our traffic enforcement agents are an integral part of this mission. They serve as the eyes and ears of the NYPD."

"Few things are more stressful or nerve-wracking for motorists than suffering a mechanical breakdown on the highway, and our HELP trucks can help them get back on the road safely and with as minimal a delay as possible," said New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez. "We are extremely excited to bring this vitally important service to the Staten Island Expressway and offer a helping hand to travelers in need along one of region's busiest roads."

The HELP program provides free roadside assistance to disabled vehicles on selected, high-volume roadways across the state. Trucks are equipped to handle a basic list of minor maintenance activities to get a disabled vehicle out of the traveling lane and/or up and running again. HELP truck operators have the ability to assist motorists in a number of ways, including removing vehicles from travel lanes that are disabled due to minor accidents and mechanical failures. They can change tires, jump start a battery, and temporarily repair a radiator hose, as well as perform other minor repairs. Operators may provide motorists with coolant for a radiator, a maximum of two gallons of gasoline, and even directions and alternative routes, or use of a cell phone for the public to make a local call.

Services are provided at no cost to the motorist. HELP drivers will not accept gratuities, recommend towing businesses other than NYPD-authorized tow trucks for that highway, or recommend repair/body shop businesses. By having HELP trucks working in the field during peak traveling times and patrolling specific coverage areas, incidents can be addressed quickly and efficiently. Additionally, HELP patrols are available to support the management and clearance of major incidents, such as a roadway closure due to a traffic accident.

Since its launch in 1994 with the mission of facilitating the safe and efficient movement of people and goods by minimizing traffic congestion and improving the operation of the highway system, the New York State HELP program has aided more than 65,000 motorists statewide annually. In New York City, the red, blue, and white HELP service trucks are operated by specially trained and certified NYPD civilian members. HELP is an integral component of the NYSDOT Incident Management Program, fostering partnerships with local and statewide law enforcement and emergency response agencies. NYSDOT's HELP program has grown into one of the nation's largest and most successful roadway service patrol programs. Statewide, the program costs $12 million annually.