Mamdani’s new ‘PIT Crew’ tech teams to help New York agencies improve digital services

July 14, 2026 - 03:30

New York City is rolling out a new initiative called the PIT Crew, a set of specialized technology teams designed to help city agencies overhaul their digital services. Announced by Chief Technology Officer Matthew Fraser, the program will deploy small, agile groups of in-house technologists directly into agencies to tackle specific problems with websites, applications, and other online tools.

The name PIT Crew stands for Platform, Infrastructure, and Technology. Unlike traditional consulting projects that can drag on for months, these teams are meant to work quickly. They will embed with agencies like the Department of Buildings or the Department of Health, diagnose what is broken, and build or fix the software in real time. The goal is to cut through bureaucratic red tape that often slows down digital upgrades.

Fraser explained that many agencies share the same underlying issues, such as outdated forms, slow permitting systems, or clunky public-facing portals. Instead of each agency hiring its own separate tech staff, the PIT Crew will provide a shared pool of engineers, designers, and product managers. This approach is expected to save money and speed up delivery.

The first projects are already underway. One team is working to streamline the process for small business owners applying for licenses. Another is focused on improving the city's 311 mobile app, making it easier for residents to report problems and track requests. The city plans to expand the program over the next year, adding more teams as demand grows.

Critics have pointed out that past city tech initiatives have struggled with long timelines and cost overruns. However, officials believe the PIT Crew model, borrowed from successful practices in the private sector and other major cities, will be different because of its hands-on, embedded approach. If it works, New Yorkers could see faster, more reliable digital services without having to navigate clunky government websites.