The Detectives’ Endowment Association President’s Statement on Social Distancing Enforcement in Wake of Detective Being Injured
New York, New York – The Detectives’ Endowment Association, Inc. continues to be very concerned for its members and all New Yorkers as city leaders provide zero clear direction to the NYPD on social distancing enforcement – endangering the men and women in blue who proudly serve New York City. After a small number of “viral” videos surfaced that depict individuals resisting arrest and failing to comply with police, elected officials continue to send mixed messages that cause more confusion than clarity to the Detectives and Officers on the streets charged with enforcing these regulations.
“During these unprecedented times in New York City, our elected officials should be more unified and supportive of the police than ever instead of worried about their own political agendas and scapegoating cops who they have instructed to enforce these regulations,” said Detectives’ Endowment Association President Paul DiGiacomo. “The Governor and Mayor direct the NYPD to take enforcement action, but then District Attorneys like Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez refuse to prosecute the violations – and this shamefully includes assaults on Detectives. The members of the DEA understand the importance of every New Yorker doing their part to stop the spread of the deadly Coronavirus as we still mourn five of our heroes who we lost to this invisible bullet. But, when elected officials direct enforcement to be taken, they must realize that people never have the right to interfere or resist. In very few instances in a city of 8.6 million people, if an arrest is made – the police should never be vilified by our elected officials before all the facts are known.”
“In a city where violent criminals are released from prison to once again victimize New Yorkers, after Detectives work tirelessly to put them behind bars, and District Attorneys call for investigations into cops who are following Mayoral orders, nobody should be surprised when we exchange a virus pandemic for a crime pandemic in the near future. If our elected officials who criticize police as they posture for soundbites and television spots believe they can do a better job than New York’s Finest – we challenge them to strap on a gun belt, risk their lives for total strangers, and lead by example. That’s what New York City Detectives do every day.”
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