Press Releases

For immediate release: April 11, 2023

Communities United for Police Reform Blasts Robotic Police Dog Announcement

Mayor Adams announced he would be reintroducing robotic police dogs, after they were dismissed by the previous administration. In response to this announcement, Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) released the following statement by Ileana Mendez-Penate, Program Director.
For immediate release: March 27, 2023

Community Organizations, Advocates, and Elected Officials Rally for Passage of NYPD Transparency Legislation, the How Many Stops Act

New York, NY - Today, the families of Antonio Williams and Allan Feliz (New Yorkers killed by NYPD in 2019), Communities United for Police Reform member and partners, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, City Councilmembers Alexa Avilés and Crystal Hudson, NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, other elected officials and New Yorkers from across the city rallied at City Hall Park to demand passage of the How Many Stops Act. 

For immediate release: March 2, 2023

CPR Responds to Mayor’s Mental Health Plan

New York, NY -- Today, Mayor Adams announced his latest plan on mental health. Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement from CPR spokesperson Ileana Méndez Peñate (she/her).

For immediate release: February 8, 2023

CPR members and partners, Elected Officials and NYers Call for Passage of How Many Stops Act

New York, NY - As the nation continues to grieve the brutal police killings of Tyre Nichols and Anthony Lowe Jr. and grapple with a path towards meaningful police reform, families who’ve lost loved ones to the NYPD and other directly impacted New Yorkers, advocates and elected officials gathered on the steps of City Hall to push for passage of vital police transparency legislation and call for action to strengthen NYPD accountability.

For immediate release: February 7, 2023

New Yorkers to City Council: Mayor Adams’ Directive On Involuntary Removals is Inhumane and Dangerous

Yesterday, February 7, 2023, the City Council Joint Oversight Hearing on Mental Health Involuntary Removals heard testimony on Mayor Adams’ recent directive that increases the authority of the NYPD to involuntarily detain New Yorkers by expanding the definition of a mental health crisis to someone that is unable to secure food and shelter for themselves. The mayor– whose public approval has continued to slip– announced this directive in December 2022 to a wave of public outcry. 
For immediate release: January 26, 2023

CPR Responds to Mayor’s State of the City: Words and Actions Don’t Match Up; New Yorkers Demand More Services and Less Police.

CPR spokesperson Sala Cyril (she/her) responds to Mayor Eric Adams' annual State of the City address:

“Mayor Adams’ State of the City once again demonstrates that he cares more about touting policies that neglect to meaningfully address issues of safety and sustainable recovery for New Yorkers than he does about actually centering the expressed needs of our communities. Since the start of his administration, Black, Latinx, and other communities of color have demanded an end to discriminatory policing and accountability for NYPD abuses that include a reduction in the scope and budget of the NYPD.  
For immediate release: January 25, 2023

Over 75 Grassroots, Advocacy and Legal Organizations Express Alarm Over Mayor’s Budget Approach; Demand More Services, Less Policing

Today, 78 organizations sent a letter calling on Speaker Adrienne Adams and the City Council to end the Mayor’s approach of unilaterally shrinking critical services while expanding the role of the NYPD and preserving NYPD budget bloat. The Mayor’s approach to budgeting in FY23 and FY24 is hurting New Yorkers, especially Black, Latinx, LGBTQI folks, immigrants, youth, and other impacted New Yorkers that are struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
For immediate release: January 13, 2023

CPR Calls for Community Investments in NYC FY24 Budget; Criticizes Mayor’s FY24 Preliminary Budget

New York, NY - In response to Mayor Adams’ FY24 Preliminary Budget, Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement today by CPR spokesperson Salma Allam (she/her), Coalition Organizer at Arab American Association of NY. 

For immediate release: December 21, 2022

CPR Statement: NYC 2023 Budget Modification shrinks critical community resources, preserves NYPD budget bloat.

New York, NY -- Today, Mayor Adams’ Office of Management and Budget announced NYC’s Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Modification. The modification cuts crucial funding to libraries, education, housing, and other social services that keep our communities safe while continuing to invest in policing.

For immediate release: December 15, 2022

CPR Statement: NYPD Commissioner Sewell’s New Rule Change Impedes Accountability, Safety

NEW YORK- Yesterday, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell announced plans to change the NYPD’s disciplinary guidelines to reduce penalties on officers. She also shared that she had reduced or dismissed penalties against NYPD officers in 72 cases that were recommended by judges and the Civilian Complaint Review Board. Below is a statement from Communities United for Police Reform spokesperson and Justice Committee Families and Cases Organizer Danny Kim (he/him):

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