NYPD to crack down on fake paper license plates amid surge in shootings

The NYPD announced a crackdown Wednesday on cars using fake paper license plates as it attempts to stem drive-by shootings and address quality-of-life issues throughout NYC.

Bogus plates have been connected to 33 shootings and 60 other incidents where shots were fired, according to Chief of Department Rodney Harrison, who added that he believes that’s “lowballing” the figures. “This criminal phenomenon is a byproduct of COVID-19 when the Department of Motor Vehicles was shut down and provided limited services and criminals taking advantage and producing fake fraudulent paper plates in return for finances,” Harrison said at Mayor Bill de Blasio’s daily press conference.