8 The Courier sun • JULY 14, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.com NYPD commissioner orders officers on patrol to work in pairs after Dallas attacks By Robert Pozarycki rpozarycki@qns.com/@robbpoz Following the July 7 murder of five police officers on patrol at a Dallas, Texas, protest, the NYPD is stepping up its efforts to keep both officers and demonstrators across the city safe. There is presently no credible threat to police officers in New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a July 8 press conference. As of July 8, the NYPD was, however, investigating up to 17 threats issued through social media and by phone since the middle of that week. Even so, Police Commissioner Bill Bratton has ordered that all officers on patrol work in pairs. Additionally, he has called for an increased presence at demonstrations similar to the one held in Dallas on July 7 that ended in bloodshed when a sniper shot 11 officers, killing five of them. The demonstration was held in the aftermath of two high-profile, policeinvolved shootings involving black men in Louisiana and Minnesota. Prior to being killed by Dallas police in a standoff, the gunman claimed that he was not affiliated with the demonstrators, and that he lashed out to kill as many white police officers as possible. Three individuals suspected of having a role in the shooting are in custody and being questioned. The Dallas shooting has had a profound effect on the law enforcement community in New York City, de Blasio said. “They’re doing their job, but they’re feeling an awful lot right now,” he said. “Their families are feeling an awful lot of fear.” Bratton said the Dallas murders bore an eerie resemblance to the 2014 murders of Detectives Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu, who were gunned down while sitting in a patrol car in Brooklyn at a time when the city and country were experiencing protests over policeinvolved shootings. “This is a continuing crisis in this country that needs to be addressed,” Bratton said regarding the strained relationship between police departments and the communities they serve across the U.S. “The murder of five police officers and the injuring of many others need to serve as a catalyst to try and continue that healing process.” Local elected officials representing Queens residents also condemned the violence. “The murders of innocent men in Minnesota and Louisiana are truly appalling. The senseless murder of Dallas police officers during a nonviolent protest is utterly horrific,” Congressman Gregory Meeks said. “As Americans, we pray for the victims in Minnesota and Louisiana, the fallen officers in Dallas, and mourn with all of their families. We have got to work together, police and civilians, to discourage and stamp out violence in America.” “The unspeakably tragic events in Dallas, suburban Minneapolis and Baton Rouge shock the conscience,” added Congressman Hakeem Jeffries. “Sadness and despair have descended on America. Outrage is festering in many quarters. In times like these, America must rise to the occasion through unity under the umbrella of love. Violence is never the answer to injustice. We are all God’s children.” “I grieve for the officers who were murdered and pray for the recovery of those injured. My most sincere condolences go to the family members, loved ones and fellow officers who are suffering in the aftermath,” Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney said. “This armed attack on police officers underscores the urgent need for our country to come together and work cooperatively to put an end to the senseless violence that plagues us all.” In wake of police shootings and Dallas cop killings, south Queens residents seek a way forward By Charlie Perry cperry@qns.com/@QNS State Senator James Sanders Jr. held a Jamaica community meeting on July 9 focused on the recent shooting deaths of civilians in Minnesota and Louisiana and the assassination of five police officers in Dallas last week. Dozens of community members, elected officials, clergy and youth attended the three-hour meeting held at LIFE Camp headquarters on Sutphin Boulevard. The organization co-sponsored the event along with 100 Suits for 100 Men and the Rockaway Youth Task Force. “All across the country people are having these conversations,” Sanders said. “There are no easy solutions. Unity is a process. It’s not something that can be turned on and off like a light switch.” Sanders said that violent incidents between the police and people of color are not new. What is new are the cameras used to capture them. The recent deaths of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling were both captured via cellphone video. Castile’s shooting was viewed live over Facebook. Cellphones were also responsible for capturing other recent incidents including the deaths of Eric Garner and Walter Scott. Sanders also condemned the killings of the police officers in Dallas; however, he said he was not shocked by what had taken place. “If you take a pot, fill it with water, put it on a stove, turn the heat on, put a lid on the pot and don’t do anything about it, that pot will explode,” Sanders said. “We cannot ask these youths to be humiliated and expect them not to do anything. They may do the wrong thing but they are going to do something. It falls on us as leaders to show them a better way.” Attendees offered many suggestions on how to stop the killing of civilians by police. Dr. Linda Guilebeaux of Rochdale Village blamed the crimes on an “uneducated” police force. She said guilty officers should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law rather than receiving what she categorized as a “slap on the wrist.” She added that police training should include an emphasis on respect for all cultures and races. There was support for the police to wear body cameras and that the recorded footage be monitored by an independent entity separate from the police department. According to supporters, this would help to prevent tampering and altering of evidence. Some called for support of the Right to Know Act, legislation that requires police to identify themselves to people they interact with. Supporters believe this would help curb searches without probable cause or a warrant. Others believe more community involvement is necessary to create change and advised attendees to attend their local police precinct community council meetings. They urged continuous and consistent conversations with police so people’s concerns are heard right away. “It’s time to get involved,” said Jazmine Outlaw, who is president of the 101st Precinct Community Council and member coordinator with the Rockaway Youth Task Force. “It’s time for everybody to make a difference. I’m not saying you have to be the next Martin Luther King or Malcolm X, but everybody can do something.”
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