New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said he doesn’t believe the decreases in arrests or the increases in 911 wait times are results of the city’s police force being demoralized.
De Blasio, a Democrat, said the New York City Police Department is “fighting back” amid a summer crime wave, during which the number of arrests declined by 62%. He blamed a lack of officers on the streets due to coronavirus illnesses for the uptick in crime without a corresponding uptick in arrests.
“For months, we had a lot fewer officers because they were out sick. For months, we have not had a functioning court system. NYPD has a lot of people that are ready right now to see prosecuted, but our DAs can’t prosecute because there’s no court system functioning yet. It’s been a massive dislocation,” de Blasio told CNN.
“We don’t accept it. We’re fighting it back. We’re sending cops out to some of the neighborhoods where we’re having particular problems, and we’re fighting back that crime and those shootings,” he added.
De Blasio and the New York City Council recently voted to cut the New York City Police Department budget by $1 billion following months of protests against police brutality and racial injustice. Retirements from within the department spiked, with many citing a decrease in morale for the surge in officers leaving the force.
De Blasio, who has clashed with police union leadership, was asked by New Day host Alisyn Camerota if he believed the demoralization was hurting the city.
“Do you think that this is also, in addition to everything you have just listed, a reaction from the police who are demoralized? The fact that there is a slowdown in 911 response times — do you think that that is some form of protest? The fact that there are more retirements being taken than usual, a form of protest somehow?” Camerota asked.
“No,” de Blasio responded. “Look, it’s been a really tough time for our police officers. They have gone through a lot. Everyone has gone through a lot. But what you see now is the NYPD now regrouping and fighting back.”
