Fake Paper License Plates Face NYPD Crackdown

NEW YORK CITY — A flurry of fake paper license plates found on cars linked to violent crimes across the city prompted a NYPD crackdown.

NYPD brass appeared alongside Mayor Bill de Blasio on Wednesday to announce a wide effort to target fraudulent tags.

At least 30 shootings have been linked to vehicle bearing counterfeit paper plates, said Rodney Harrison, NYPD's chief of department.

He said 293 people have been injured in 562 crashes with vehicles bearing fake plates.

"So these numbers are alarming and I'm going to be honest with you. I think I'm lowballing the numbers," he said.

Counterfeit paper license plates proliferated in the coronavirus pandemic as departments of motor vehicles across the country shifted away from in-office visits, Harrison said.

They can be bought online on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, he said.

NYPD officers linked them to seven recent drive-by shooting incidents, he said. They are concerned about vehicles bearing those plates speeding through school zones, driving through red lights and hitting pedestrians, he said.

"And last but not least having a concern of potential terrorist plots,” Harrison said.

De Blasio said there are likely "thousands and thousands" of counterfeit plates circulating in the city. He said the NYPD is going to pursue the anti-fake plate effort "energetically."

“This is the NYPD doing something strategic to make an impact on our safety and our quality of life,” he said.