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NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton boosts Brooklyn for the 2016 Democratic National Convention.
(Brigid Bergin/WNYC)
Ed Mullins, president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, talks about why the union doesn't support Mayor de Blasio's bid for Brooklyn to host the 2016 Democratic National Convention. In his open letter to the DNC chair, Mullins wrote that the city is "lurching backwards to the bad old days of high crime."
Does he really believe that convention-goers wouldn’t be safe in 2016?
Yes, Mullins said on the show. “Unfortunately the mayor is trying to change the topic by making this about contract talks.” The clashes between protestors and police in 2004 is what he’s trying to avoid.
Are the other cities being considered actually safer? (both Philadelphia and Phoenix, as other large cities, had lower murder rates in 2012 according to FBI stats)
“What I am highlighting is that crime is beginning to slide and the shootings are the beginning of it… It’s easy to sit and talk about what’s there today. How do you know the city of Philadelphia is not going to have low crime stats in two years from now, or any of the other cities? We’re talking about where we’re at today and what we’re seeing as a sliding effect based on this mayor’s policies.”
On Broken Windows policing:
“It’s a smoke and mirrors game. It’s ‘enforce Broken Windows’ until something goes wrong and then everyone talks about why we’re not enforcing it. Why are we not prosecuting marijuana arrests in Brooklyn? Why is that happening? We’re not supposed to make arrests now for loosies… If you don’t want minor crimes on the books, then change the laws. You can’t have it both ways.”
On crime statistics, which show that while shootings are up other crimes (including crimes overall) are down:
“Why are the shootings up? Because there’s more guns on the street,” Mullins said. “I am not saying unequivocally that there is [a connection between changes to Stop and Frisk and the rise in shootings]. What I am saying is that the scale is beginning to slide and if the policies of this administration do not change then come 2016 what will this city look like?”
On Stop and Frisk:
Under the Ray Kelly administration, Stop and Frisk was “a numbers game”, Mullins said, “and it was wrong and the community was somewhat of a victim to I’m sure many stops that probably occurred. And they have a valid argument for their expressions and their feelings. But the reverse of it now is policies that are in place to which the police officers don’t really know where they stand. We’re being second-guessed as to what takes place out there and what we’re seeing is an increase in guns and an increase in shootings.” Mullins said One Police Plaza needs to create “clear and concise” policies for what’s expected of officers. “We have lost the presumption of innocence for police officers.”
Was he referring to Al Sharpton as one of the “anti-safety agitators” and “anti-safety political opportunists” in his letter to the DNC?
“No doubt… What has Al Sharpton really accomplished for the City of New York?” Mullins said. “You always need people who represent the community,” he added, citing community board leaders and clergy. “Are you telling me that Al Sharpton is a credible individual based on his history?... We’re looking at an individual who has been nothing but divisive to law enforcement.” Mullins added that if the mayor wanted to work on improving relations between communities and the police he should bring in other clergy.
Has he heard back from the DNC?
"No and I don't think they will reply... What many people seem to not realize is that New York is a Democrat state and their real value is not in New York." Columbus, he added, might be a good choice.
Does he really believe that convention-goers wouldn’t be safe in 2016?
Yes, Mullins said on the show. “Unfortunately the mayor is trying to change the topic by making this about contract talks.” The clashes between protestors and police in 2004 is what he’s trying to avoid.
Are the other cities being considered actually safer? (both Philadelphia and Phoenix, as other large cities, had lower murder rates in 2012 according to FBI stats)
“What I am highlighting is that crime is beginning to slide and the shootings are the beginning of it… It’s easy to sit and talk about what’s there today. How do you know the city of Philadelphia is not going to have low crime stats in two years from now, or any of the other cities? We’re talking about where we’re at today and what we’re seeing as a sliding effect based on this mayor’s policies.”
On Broken Windows policing:
“It’s a smoke and mirrors game. It’s ‘enforce Broken Windows’ until something goes wrong and then everyone talks about why we’re not enforcing it. Why are we not prosecuting marijuana arrests in Brooklyn? Why is that happening? We’re not supposed to make arrests now for loosies… If you don’t want minor crimes on the books, then change the laws. You can’t have it both ways.”
On crime statistics, which show that while shootings are up other crimes (including crimes overall) are down:
“Why are the shootings up? Because there’s more guns on the street,” Mullins said. “I am not saying unequivocally that there is [a connection between changes to Stop and Frisk and the rise in shootings]. What I am saying is that the scale is beginning to slide and if the policies of this administration do not change then come 2016 what will this city look like?”
On Stop and Frisk:
Under the Ray Kelly administration, Stop and Frisk was “a numbers game”, Mullins said, “and it was wrong and the community was somewhat of a victim to I’m sure many stops that probably occurred. And they have a valid argument for their expressions and their feelings. But the reverse of it now is policies that are in place to which the police officers don’t really know where they stand. We’re being second-guessed as to what takes place out there and what we’re seeing is an increase in guns and an increase in shootings.” Mullins said One Police Plaza needs to create “clear and concise” policies for what’s expected of officers. “We have lost the presumption of innocence for police officers.”
Was he referring to Al Sharpton as one of the “anti-safety agitators” and “anti-safety political opportunists” in his letter to the DNC?
“No doubt… What has Al Sharpton really accomplished for the City of New York?” Mullins said. “You always need people who represent the community,” he added, citing community board leaders and clergy. “Are you telling me that Al Sharpton is a credible individual based on his history?... We’re looking at an individual who has been nothing but divisive to law enforcement.” Mullins added that if the mayor wanted to work on improving relations between communities and the police he should bring in other clergy.
Has he heard back from the DNC?
"No and I don't think they will reply... What many people seem to not realize is that New York is a Democrat state and their real value is not in New York." Columbus, he added, might be a good choice.
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