For Immediate Release
June 4, 2020
Contact:  Shaun Marie
518-356-7882
www.cpnys.org  @cpnys

Statement by Gerard Kassar On Call to Defund  New York City’s Police Department

 Brooklyn, NY – George Floyd’s death never should have occurred.  The four men responsible have been fired and arrested for the malicious action – and lack of action – that lead to the untimely death of George Floyd.

The riots, across America, have led to more unnecessary and unwarranted deaths.  The riots in New York City (and throughout the state), the attacks on the NYPD and now the call to defund the NYPD are adding gasoline to a raging fire.

Defunding the NYPD is the worst possible solution and will ultimately create more havoc and destruction.

I am perplexed at the logic behind the arguments of democratic elected officials call for the one government agency that has a sworn duty to protect our city.  I truly wonder of the public’s perception of these same elected officials calling for defunding during riots and looting.

Peaceful protests are acceptable; uncontrolled rage, destroying businesses, throwing Molotov cocktails at police cars are not.

Defunding the NYPD allows criminal behavior to flourish and lawful citizens to become fearful of living in a city that would no longer be able to protect them.

The vast majority of law enforcement does not look at the color of a person when responding to a call for help; they respond and assess the situation and do what is right to deescalate it.  The men and women of New York’s Finest put their lives on the line every working day to protect the citizens of New York.  Should the radical idea of defunding the NYPD be adopted, who will protect the citizens when lawlessness reigns?

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