Dear Editor,
If you think that fighting crime is the NYPD’s top job, guess again.
While shootings and homicides in New York City are nearly double their pre-pandemic levels, Mayor Bill de Blasio said “Customer service has to be what the NYPD is about.”
To achieve that goal, the NYPD will hire “community guides” at all 77 police precincts to greet visitors at the door. This new program will cost taxpayers $5.7 million a year.
Our mayor is doing this because he’s upset by the “gruff & dismissive” attitude toward the public. Even though New Yorkers fear for their safety, de Blasio wants cops to act like Walmart.
Instead of hiring greeters, why not hire more cops to reduce crime? New York’s Finest serve their “customers” – law-abiding residents and taxpayers – by risking their lives daily to protect us.
If they are sometimes “gruff & dismissive,” perhaps it’s because de Blasio and other “progressive” political leaders don’t respect them. Getting pelted and spat at by “peaceful” protesters may impact attitudes.
I urge our elected representatives to halt this insanity. But if they don’t, I’m sure our likely next mayor, Eric Adams, a former cop, will pull the plug. He values public safety above “customer service.”
Sincerely,
Richard Reif
Kew Gardens Hills