FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
In response to today’s NYPD killing of Winzinzent Rozaro, Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) released the following statement from CPR spokesperson Loyda Colon (they/them), Executive Director of the Justice Committee.
“Today’s killing of nineteen-year-old Winzinzent Rozaro by the NYPD is just another devastating and senseless reminder that police should never be part of mental health response. This young person called 911 for help, and, like so many others before him, died at the hands of officers who needlessly and violently escalated the situation.
Winzinzent should have been safe in his kitchen. His mother should not have had to watch him die. And while there can never be justice for the killing of this young person, there can be accountability. We can prevent future loss of life at the hands of the NYPD.
The NYPD must be removed from mental health response, the names of the officers who killed Winzinzent should be immediately released, and they should be fired. A few weeks from now will mark 5 years since the NYPD killed Kawaski Trawick who was also in his home when officers busted through, created a crisis and escalated at every turn - and those officers still haven’t been fired. We hope that Winzinzent’s family doesn’t have to wait years for some measure of accountability.”
About Communities United for Police Reform
Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) is an unprecedented campaign to end discriminatory and abusive 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, grassroots organizers, lawyers, researchers and activists to work for change.