Press Releases

For immediate release: March 7, 2022

Over 75 Grassroots Organizations, Community Groups, and Legal Advocates Demand Mayor Adams Immediately Halt Plans to Expand NYPD’s Power and Scope

In a letter, organizations call for an end to Mayor Adams’ “Neighborhood Safety Teams” and other proposals that will put more police on the street 

Today, over 75 organizations sent a letter to Mayor Eric Adams and the New York City Council ahead of the Mayor’s trip to Washington to share his new and deeply regressive “Blueprint to End Gun Violence” with Congress. The letter details community demands to address violence by using real public health solutions through investments in communities and called for an end to Mayor Adams’ proposals that expand policing and further criminalize Black, Latinx, and other New Yorkers of color. The letter, organized by Communities United for Police Reform, included signatories from all five boroughs and a wide range of organizations specializing in community organizing, civil rights, youth development, and interpersonal violence reduction.
For immediate release: February 7, 2022

Statement: Family of Delrawn Small Demand Firing of NYPD Officer Wayne Isaacs Following Meeting with CCRB

Victoria Davis and Victor Dempsey, siblings of Delrawn Small, Communities United for Police Reform (CPR), and the Justice Committee met with the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) regarding the prosecution of NYPD Officer Wayne Isaacs who killed Delrawn Small in 2016.
For immediate release: February 2, 2022

Statement: Family of Delrawn Small Demand Firing of NYPD Officer Wayne Isaacs After Judge Denies Officers’ Attempt to Block Investigation

A New York State Supreme Court Judge Verna L. Saunders dismissed NYPD Officer Wayne’s Isaacs’ baseless attempt to block his long-delayed discipline trial for killing Delrawn Small. Isaacs, who shot and killed Delrawn Small in front of his 4-month-old baby, teen stepdaughter, and girlfriend on July 4, 2016, filed an Article 78 lawsuit in March 2021 to try to prevent the CCRB from moving forward in a disciplinary prosecution.
For immediate release: January 25, 2022

Communities United for Police Reform Responds to Mayor Eric Adams’ Remarks on Gun Violence

A statement from Communities United for Police Reform spokesperson, Mark Winston Griffith, in response to Mayor Adams' announcement and plan: “Every New Yorker can agree that we need a city in which every person feels safe and can thrive. Community safety requires a smart and multi-faceted approach when addressing violence in our city. Unfortunately, Mayor Adams has returned to the same failed playbook of centering policing, and enforcement in his plan for ending gun violence,”
For immediate release: January 10, 2022

Family of Eric Garner, Organizers, Respond to News of Deputy Commissioner Joseph Reznick Being Asked to Leave NYPD and Call for Firing of Former Deputy Commissioner Kevin Richardson, and All Officers Responsible for Eric Garner’s Killing

Communities United for Police Reform, the Justice Committee, and the family of Eric Garner responded to the news that Deputy Commissioner Joseph Reznick was asked to leave the NYPD and are calling for the firing of former Deputy Commissioner Kevin Richardson, NYPD Officer Justin Damico, Lt. Christopher “Not a Big Deal” Bannon, and all the NYPD officers and officials who engaged in misconduct related to the killing of Eric Garner.
For immediate release: January 7, 2022

Communities United for Police Reform Slams Plan to Increase NYPD Patrols on Subways

Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul announced a program that would entrench NYPD in homeless outreach on NYC subways, defying the demands of New Yorkers to reduce the NYPD’s footprint on our subways and in social service roles.
For immediate release: January 6, 2022

Communities United for Police Reform Responds to Governor Kathy Hochul’s State of the State Address

Following Governor Kathy Hochul’s first State of the State address, Communities United for Police Reform (CPR’s) released the following statement from Kesi Foster, Spokesperson for CPR
For immediate release: December 15, 2021

New NYPD Commissioner Must Listen to New Yorker’s Demands and Leave Failed Policing Strategies in the Past

Today Mayor-Elect Eric Adams formally announced that Keechant Sewell will serve as the next NYPD Commissioner.

In response to Mayor-Elect Adams’ announcement, Communities United for Police Reform issued the following statement from spokesperson Mark Winston Griffith: 

For immediate release: December 3, 2021

Retiring NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea’s Tenure Marked by Routine Failure to Discipline and Fire Officers for Misconduct

Yesterday, it was reported that NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea filed for retirement from the NYPD, effective December 31, 2021. Below is a response from Anthonine Pierre (she/her) of the Brooklyn Movement Center and spokesperson for Communities United for Police Reform: 

For immediate release: November 23, 2021

Family of Kawaski Trawick Demands CCRB and NYPD Schedule Trial for NYPD Officers Brendan Thompson and Herbert Davis Following Charges Served

Today, the family of Kawaski Trawick is calling on the CCRB and the NYPD to schedule discipline trials for Brendan Thompson and Herbert Davis, who killed Kawaski while he was cooking in his apartment.

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