Shooting incidents during the following months were on the rise.
- May 2020 saw 113 people shot, an increase of almost 55 percent from May 2019 figures
- June 2020 saw 270 people shot, equating to an increase of more than 150 percent from June 2019
- July 2020 saw 301 shooting victims, an increase of almost 160 percent from July 2019
- August 2020 listed 310 shooting victims, almost double the number listed in August 2019
- September 2020 recorded 136 shooting victims -- a 210 percent increase from September 2019 numbers
Despite the NYPD’s efforts to address the rising crime rates, its hands are tied by Democrat-sponsored policies
The NYPD has blamed several policies that complicated its work for the sudden uptick in crime rates, alongside efforts to reduce its budget—a step lower than the total police defunding Black Lives Matter protesters demanded.
A bail reform law passed in 2019 eliminated pre-trial detention and bail for many offenses, which meant that judges were prohibited from requiring cash bail for low-level crimes—and criminals went back to the streets after being arrested. (RELATED: Crime spike in NYC spreads to ultra-wealthy Upper East Side after NYPD disbands anti-crime unit.)
In July, Mayor Bill De Blasio signed a bill that criminalizes police officers' moves to restrain suspects -- such as chokeholds. The bill also outlawed officers from pressing their knees against a suspect’s back or chest, which led to NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan branding the new law as “insane.”
Some NYPD officers who wished to remain anonymous said that officers are now hesitating to arrest resisting suspects unless they pose a present danger to law enforcement or the general public.
Given that New York City’s justice system reforms made police efforts seem pointless, many officers simply hang up their boots altogether. Retirement filings for the NYPD increased by more than 160 percent between May 25 and Aug. 11, compared to the same period last year.
Despite difficulties, New York’s Finest continues to do its best to “serve and protect.”
NYC Mayor Bill De Blasio blaming everyone but himself for predicament
Meanwhile, Mayor Bill De Blasio continues to blame the coronavirus pandemic for the upswing in crime rates. He initially pointed his fingers at the court system's slowdown, which the Office of Court Administration quickly rejected by saying many of the court proceedings have continued virtually.
Lucian Chalfen, a spokesman for the office, called De Blasio’s remarks “at best factually incorrect and at worst a continued attempt to shift the blame for his inability to manage the increase in New York’s street violence.” Chalfen added that De Blasio’s lack of knowledge in how the criminal justice system works “continues to be in full display.”
Even New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo called the violence “wholly unacceptable” and urged the city government to “step up and lead.”
“If none of them want to lead it, I will find someone to lead it,” he added.
Before Cuomo’s call to action, more than 150 New York City business leaders urged the mayor to clean up the city and address the crime problems through an open letter published Sept. 10.
The question now is: Will Mayor Bill De Blasio actually address the crime problem, or will he continue turning a blind eye to the truth?
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