Arrests have fallen 66% since the deaths of two New York officers. Low level and traffic offense arrests have plummeted 90% since the tragedy.
New York City was shaken after officers Liu Wenjin and Raphael Ramos were shot in their squad car by a lone gunman who later killed himself. The shooting amplified the already tense relations between police officers and civilians after protests over the police brutality deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown.
After the deaths of the officers, tensions also grew between New York mayor Bill de Blasio and the NYPD. de Blasio’s comments about police brutality against African-Americans have been blasted by New York cops and anti-police. At the funeral of one of the officers, cops turned their backs when de Blasio spoke.
In response to the impasse, the police union president, Pat Lynch, called for fewer arrests. The call from the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association chief comes partially in concern for officers’ safety. The decline in arrests could also be part of a work stoppage meant to spite de Blasio.
The union president was reportedly quoted as saying ” the rules are made by them to hurt you. Well now, we’ll use those rules to protect us.” A spokesman for Lynch denied that he is deliberately instigating a work stoppage.
de Blasio is attempting to mend the strained relationship between City Hall and the NYPD. He recently met with police officers in an attempt to work together. The mayor said he wants to begin “building a productive dialogue and identifying ways to move forward together”.
Lynch exercised more caution about the meeting and the mayor’s conciliatory message. “Our thought here tonight is actions speak louder than words and time will tell,” he said.
