Press Releases

For immediate release: June 29, 2015

Families of New Yorkers Killed by NYPD Announce Support for Right to Know Act

In response to a City Council hearing on several policing reforms, the surviving family members of New Yorkers killed by the NYPD over the past two decades released the following joint statement.

“As family members of New Yorkers killed by the NYPD over the past two decades, we know first-hand that the rights of New Yorkers are too often disregarded by the NYPD.

“There's a clear imbalance of power between police officers and community members in daily interactions, and the rights of New Yorkers must be protected. There must be accountability, transparency & respectful communication in the most common daily interactions, whether on the street, in our cars or in our homes.

For immediate release: June 29, 2015

Days after Council, Mayor Add 1,300 Cops in Budget, Calls for Council to Pass Right to Know Act Police Reforms Grow Louder at Hearing

Right to Know Act reforms, endorsed by Obama Taskforce on 21st Century Policing, are top priority of community groups

New York, NY – Following a week where the City Council adopted a budget that adds 1,300 new positions within the NYPD, community groups and elected officials called for passage of the Right to Know Act at a Council Public Safety Committee hearing on several pieces of legislation related to the NYPD.

 

For immediate release: June 25, 2015

CPR Statement Re: City Council Scheduling Hearing on the Right to Know Act for Monday, June 29

In response to the City Council scheduling a hearing on the Right to Know Act legislative package and other legislation related to the police department, Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement from spokesperson Adilka Pimentel.

For immediate release: June 25, 2015

CPR Responds to Announced NYPD “Neighborhood Policing” Plan

In response to the NYPD announcement unveiling a new “neighborhood policing” approach, Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement from spokesperson Priscilla Gonzalez.

“We appreciate the de Blasio administration’s expressed desire to change its approach to policing, but Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Bratton's announcement today raises more questions than it answers. The mayor pointed to a new "neighborhood policing" approach as moving away from being ‘top-down’ and towards a more ‘grassroots’ oriented approach, yet communities and so many of the groups that devote themselves to uplifting them have not been meaningfully engaged in the development of this plan.

For immediate release: June 22, 2015

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.

“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.

For immediate release: June 14, 2015

CPR Responds to Cuomo Announcement on Special Prosecutor

In response to Governor Cuomo announcing that he will issue an executive order to authorize the appointment of a special prosecutor for one year, Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement from Jose Lopez.

“We applaud the tireless advocacy of the families who made this issue of unjust police killings of New Yorkers one that our state could no longer ignore, and credit Governor Cuomo for acknowledging the reality that their stories represent: a deep failure in our criminal justice system.

For immediate release: June 11, 2015

CPR Statement Re: Death of Kalief Browder and the Lack of an Adequate Response by Public Officials

In response to the death of Kalief Browder and the failure of public officials to fully acknowledge the city's responsibility, Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement from spokesperson Priscilla Gonzalez.

"We send our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Kalief Browder. We can only imagine the immense sadness they are experiencing, as we were devastated to learn of his passing.

For immediate release: May 19, 2015

After Obama Policing Task Force Endorses Right to Know Act, Advocates and Elected Officials Call for NYC Council to Schedule Hearing and Pass Legislation

President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing cited provisions of legislation in final report among critical recommendations to improve policing released during Obama Camden visit

A day after the President Obama-appointed Task Force on 21st Century Policing released its final report, which endorsed policies advanced by the pending Right to Know Act in the New York City Council, advocates and elected officials called for New York to demonstration national leadership by scheduling a hearing and passing the legislation.

For immediate release: May 18, 2015

Communities United for Police Reform Responds to President Obama’s Policing Task Force’s Final Report

Call for action on recommendations mirroring proposals pending before New York State and New York City

In response to President Obama announcing the release of the final report by the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing, Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement from spokesperson Joo-Hyun Kang.

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