CPR Responds to Budget Deal to Add 1,300 to NYPD Headcount

In response to Mayor de Blasio and the City Council announcing a budget agreement to add nearly 1,300 to the NYPD’s headcount, Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement from spokesperson Monifa Bandele.

New York, NY

“This deal to increase the NYPD headcount seems like politics at its worst, and is not in the best interest of the safety or long-term needs of our communities. It's disappointing and perplexing that the city budget will increase the NYPD headcount when systemic problems with police accountability and culture that allow New Yorkers to be abused and killed have yet to be fixed - and while major needs in our communities are under-resourced. Nothing that the NYPD has undertaken – decreases in the overall number of reported stops, expansion of body cameras, and retraining – equate to lasting, systemic reform. Our communities are still being hurt by discriminatory and abusive policing, and the mayor and Council need to take steps to address this in a meaningful way. The Right to Know Act, zero tolerance for police brutality, and ending discriminatory broken windows policing are stalled, but are part of what will be essential to achieving real systemic change. Something is seriously wrong when the need for youth employment opportunities, real affordable housing and other critical needs remain unmet, and one of the most significant investments in our communities is more police.” - CPR spokesperson Monifa Bandele.

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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 policing practices based on cooperation and respect– not discriminatory targeting and harassment. CPR brings 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 unfairly targeted the most by the NYPD. CPR is fighting for reforms that will promote community safety while ensuring that the NYPD protects and serves all New Yorkers.

Learn more: http://changethenypd.org/
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