NEW YORK CITY- For everyone suggesting there’s no such thing as a war on cops, pay attention.
There’s now a credible threat of assassinations on NYPD officers.
The information was put out on Thursday by the Sergeant’s Benevolent Association (SBA) of the New York Police Department (NYPD).
WARNING – MUST READ
NYPD COPS ASSASSINATION THREAT- the attached notice has been distributed throughout NYPD Commands. REMAIN ALERT – respond with back up on all 9/11 calls. pic.twitter.com/1EyaXMB0Ep— SBA (@SBANYPD) February 13, 2020
The credible threat was specifically made against officers working in the area of the 41st Precinct where two NYPD officers were shot less than a week ago.
“WARNING – MUST READ NYPD COPS ASSASSINATION THREAT- the attached notice has been distributed throughout NYPD Commands. REMAIN ALERT – respond with back up on all 9/11 calls,” the SBA said.
Along with the tweet was a snapshot of the memo that NYPD officials had apparently sent out.
“Desk Officers – Following information must be passed along and shared with every MOS assigned to your command,” noted the memo.
MOS means ‘member of service’.
The note went on with more details.
“Investigative units have received a credible threat of an individual that may attempt to shoot a NYPD MOS, in particular, a 41 Pct MOS. All MOS are being advised to be vigilant and alert. Stationhouse security must be posted on all tours,” the note continued.
And it’s supposed to continue indefinitely.
“Please advise all MOS and continue to read this message at Roll Calls until further notice,” the memo went on.
It’s a threat that doesn’t come as a surprise to retired NYPD officers.
“The current climate in NYC is a direct result of the city’s poor leadership at city hall and the continued lack of intestinal fortitude of department brass from one regime to another,” said David Chianese.
Chianese is a retired decorated NYPD detective. And he’s not the only one who is disgusted.
“This is a direct result of the attacks on both police and the rule of law from Mayor de Blasio and the Governor,” said a high ranking official with NYPD who was not authorized to speak publicly. “We’re afraid this war on our guys is just beginning.”
Retired NYPD police officer and integral member of Brothers Before Others Rob O’Donnell wasn’t about to be quiet about the threat.
“The leaders of NYC should look up the definition of cowardice. When the Chief of the NYC Corrections department instructs members not to wear identifiable clothing, and to ensure there is nothing that identifies one as law enforcement is visible on their vehicles, and the Chief of Detectives sends out a department wide alert of a possible assassination attempt, maybe we should lessen the talk and memos, and start taking more action,” said O’Donnell.
He didn’t pull any punches.
“In the past, when you take the fight to a NYC Police Officer, it’s all hands on deck. Full enforcement in the communities, zero tolerance on crime, take the critical response units from tourist areas and put them in front of station houses.”
O’Donnell said it’s time to fight back.
“It’s time for police leadership to be loud and clear with fare warning, ‘if you harm a NYC Police Officer, we will hunt you down, we will find you, and if necessary end your existence on this earth.’ It’s time for this nations law enforcement to go on offensive.”
Police say that on Saturday night, Robert Williams engaged two officers in a conversation before drawing and firing a weapon at point blank range. Luckily, both of the officers survived the encounter. Then, less than 12 hours later, Williams marched into the 41st Precinct and fired on the officers working there, striking one lieutenant in the arm.
After emptying his magazine, Williams was seen on security footage throwing his gun down and surrendering.
Video of the precinct shooting can be seen below.
Most police officers blame suspect Robert Williams for his cold-blooded attempts on their lives, but new reports show that some are apparently pointing the finger at officers in the Bronx.
A report from the New York Post uncovered some of the feelings from local residents.
One store owner in the borough said that because police officers regularly ignore crime and turn their backs on delinquent behavior, they’ve created a feeling of tolerance for lawlessness.
“This neighborhood now, there’s too much trouble. A lot of people after 5, 6 o’clock there are six, seven, eight, 10 people, drinking alcohol, smoking weed,” business owner Ahmed El Nage said.
He told the Post that he wasn’t surprised at all to see the vicious attack made against members of the NYPD, saying they “look the other way” too often.
Maybe someone ought to tell El Nage about the ridiculous attempts at “reform” that are ruining the criminal justice system in New York City, leaving police officers scrambling to pick up the pieces.
A source close to the investigation said that the 41st Precinct is in an especially dangerous area and after the initial assassination attempt, should’ve had armed security standing guard.
“If any command should have had station house security, the 41 should have had it… there’s supposed to be somebody outside at all times,” the source said.
“There’s supposed to be a cop assigned outside of the precinct to make sure something like this doesn’t happen, especially after what happened yesterday. The department has become too complacent.”
Let’s look at Williams’ history in the system. He was a career criminal out on parole when he carried out the attacks. Police say that he’s got a lengthy criminal history, including a homicide conviction. He was recently sprung from custody after being brought in on a heavy weaponry charge.
“He just got out for a machine gun charge,” said a source inside the department.
But right… let’s blame the cops.
—
Others are seeing the situation differently. Rob O’Donnell weighed in on the situation, laying the blame for the ruthless attacks at the feet of the city’s leaders.
Here are his words.
Two attempted assassinations of NYPD police officers in less than 12 hours.
Let that sink in for a moment.
The incidents may take place in mere seconds, but the atmosphere that creates such hate towards our men and women in blue takes years of setting groundwork. It’s so bad, these disgusting acts are carried out in what appears to be a nonchalant manner.
The criminal coddling anti-police rhetoric we’ve seen all top often from the New York City Mayor William de Blasio may not have pulled the tigger, but it sure as hell loaded the gun.
What gives a career criminal, who was recently paroled for a 2002 carjacking, attempted murder and shootout with police, the sense that he can simply walk up to a marked police van, or stroll in to a police precinct and open fire?
Someone has emboldened him to act.
The atmosphere based on false narratives from the media and inciting rhetoric from persons in influential positions, the second guessing and Monday morning quarterbacking of active incidents without any facts, the running to the side of anyone who shouts injustice from the police based on little more than emotions sets a dangerous stage. Buckets of water, harassing officers during arrest situations, allowing lawlessness in our subway systems and streets become the props.
Let’s get one thing straight.
Mayor de Blasio is loathed by the NYPD.
The brass can’t admit it due to retaliation. Active duty officers may not say it, but make no mistake, the feeling of each and every NYC cop is that this man has been a disaster for the city they love.
He has scapegoated the NYPD for every one of his failed policies. He has lived off the decades of hard work put forth by prior administrations and the NYPD. He has rushed to make criminal paydays, or what criminals refer to as “Police lotto” throwing officers under the bus at every turn. This doesn’t go unnoticed by a city’s criminal element. It allows them to roll the dice and challenge the police at every turn. It makes then feel emboldened to throw water at uniformed officers, and now, outright declare war by committing these attempted assassinations.
I was lucky and honored to be a part of New York City’s turnaround in the early 90’s. As both a NYC Transit Police Officer, and a NYPD cop and detective, I’ve seen the very best and absolute worst of the city I was born and raised in.
Through Mayor de Blasio’s anti-police rhetoric and failed leadership, he has reduced the safety footprint. And it will take a decade to recover. The things being seen across the city, the graffiti, the upticks in crime across the board, the vagrancy, litter, drugs, attacks on our police, these things do not take hold overnight. Once they’ve taken a foothold it takes a tenfold effort to gain back. All while Bill claims everything is okay.
The mayor will publicly denounce the shooting and will be sure to appear supportive in solidarity due to these recent events. But when was the last time you’ve seen de Blasio attend a precinct roll call for no other reason but to say “thank you” and “be safe out there”?
When was the last time you’ve seen the mayor stop a cop on the beat or patrol car just to ask how they were doing? There is no last time because he simply doesn’t care about our police and has never done any such acts. That’s what leaders do. Not just appear at times of crisis for a photo opportunity; they care day in and day out.
De Blasio wants to chastise the president for pointing out the obvious, that it’s failed leadership and faux support of the NYPD that makes these unthinkable attacks a reality. In place of grandstanding on social media, why isn’t Mayor de Blasio visiting each and every police precinct to tell the men and women of the NYPD that he is there for them? That he does support them? That he will do everything in his power to make things safe for them?
But he won’t. Because that’s what leaders do, and Mayor William de Blasio is anything but a leader.
Trump had some words for New York leaders as well after the news of the attempted assassinations spread.
“I grew up in New York City and, over many years, got to watch how GREAT NYC’s ‘Finest’ are. Now, because of weak leadership at Governor & Mayor, stand away (water thrown at them) regulations, and lack of support, our wonderful NYC police are under assault,” Trump wrote on Twitter Sunday. “Stop this now!”
The “weak leadership” and softening of crime are undoubtedly making criminals feel emboldened in their behavior. After all, if someone gets out of jail literally hours after committing an offense, with no one to ensure that they show up for their day in court, why not just do whatever the hell you want all the time?
We need to buck up and start reminding people who break the law that they will be found, they will be prosecuted and they will be punished.
Leaders need to stop handcuffing police and pandering to the feelings of criminals. They need to stop pushing false narratives and fake information through the media. They need to allow residents the ability to walk down a dark street or ride the subway to work without the fear that they’ll be victimized. And when something does happen, they need to hold that person accountable and not release them right back into the community to victimize others.
We’re so far past a breaking point, it’s ridiculous.
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