Thanks to Housing Works Postive Health Project for their offering of Needle Boxes for safe disposal throughout Sara Roosevelt Park.
Never touch needles!!!
If you find needles in an NYC park, do not touch or pick them up. Immediately call 311 to report the location for professional disposal by parks staff. Keep children and pets away from the area until staff arrive. For urgent hazards, park rangers or NYPD can also assist.
What to Do If You Find Needles
- Report it: Call 311 immediately.
- Do not move them: Do not throw needles in public trash cans, recycling bins, or leave them on the ground.
- Secure the area: Keep a safe distance from the needles.
- In case of injury: If you are poked by a needle, wash the area with soap and water immediately and seek medical attention at an urgent care center or emergency room.
For Safer Disposal (If absolutely necessary)
- If you must move a needle, use tongs or pliers, place it into a puncture-resistant container (e.g., a thick plastic laundry detergent bottle), seal with duct tape, and label it “Home Sharps”.
- You can drop off sealed containers at any NYC hospital or nursing home.
NYC Park Needle Safety Information
- NYC Parks staff routinely collect thousands of needles per week across the city and are trained in their safe removal.
- Some parks with higher incidents have locked, secure syringe disposal kiosks.
