Today, in response to the release of Mayor Adams’ executive budget, Communities United for Police issued the following statement from CPR spokesperson Hassen Bashir, Civil Rights and Campaign Coordinator with VOCAL-NY:
"The mayor's proposed budget undermines public safety by failing to invest adequately in infrastructure and programs that help keep New Yorkers safe. Instead of addressing the city's most pressing issues such as increased homelessness, fully funding our schools and youth, and lack of mental health infrastructure and services, the mayor is proposing an unjustified & dangerous expansion of the NYPD's already over-sized budget.
Police misconduct complaints have risen by 51%, NYPD overspending is at an all-time high with them overspending their budget by close to $800 million in Mayor Adams' first year in office, and the NYPD has waged unprecedented misinformation campaigns and public attacks on journalists, civil servants, and others. The recent announcement that the cops who killed Kawaski Trawick will not be disciplined in spite of violating department protocols and recent reports that the chair of the Civilian Complaint Review board is being pushed out in retaliation for trying to hold the NYPD accountable are just the most recent examples of scandalous NYPD impunity in this administration.
Mayor Adams should be holding the NYPD accountable for violence and other misconduct - not rewarding them with major expansions. In light of the Mayor's refusal to address his out-of-control police, the Council should refuse to allow the addition of 1200 more officers, cut the NYPD's press and public relations budget by at least 50%, remove police from mental health response, dismantle the notoriously abusive Strategic Response Group and freeze hiring of school police. Instead of wasting money and rewarding NYPD violence, misinformation and lack of accountability, New Yorkers deserve a budget that significantly invests in the city's mental health infrastructure, housing, education, youth services and other programs necessary to help keep New Yorkers safe and healthy."
About Communities United for Police Reform
Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) is an unprecedented campaign to end discriminatory policing practices in New York, and to build a lasting movement that promotes public safety and reduces reliance on policing. CPR runs coalitions of over 200 local, statewide and national organizations, bringing together a movement of community members, lawyers, researchers and activists to work for change. The partners in this campaign come from all 5 boroughs, from all walks of life and represent many of those most unfairly targeted by the NYPD.