Lesson of Cop Drenchings: Don’t Handcuff the Police
THE ISSUE: A series of videos showing civilians throwing water and buckets at NYPD officers.
As a retired NYPD officer, this is very degrading (“Now it’s drench warfare on cops,” July 26).
There’s an unwritten rule as a cop that no one puts their hands on you. Back in 1987, I was told by a senior supervisor: If anyone puts their hands on you, they should be arrested.
Obviously that doesn’t apply anymore, thanks to spineless Mayor de Blasio and the upper brass of the NYPD. Joseph Cavaliere Valley Stream
I watched the videos of police officers being drenched by the lowlifes in New York City.
The disrespect is unprecedented. De Blasio brags that the crime rate is down in the city. I can now see why: Cops apparently have been instructed to look the other way and to not make arrests. New York City has become a laughingstock. Tom Vespo Bethpage
The assaults on police are an egregious affront to officers of the law and to civilized society.
The perpetrators of this reckless behavior are a disgrace to their community, the city and nation.
I believe socialists and radical progressives, like the mayor and governor, are to blame. Their antipolice agenda has effectively handicapped law enforcement across the country. Police are hesitant to engage with the lawless because they fear repercussions from top brass, activists and the grievance industry. Bob Pascarella The Bronx
NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan suggested to the police officers who were doused with water and did nothing: “Maybe they should reconsider whether or not this is the profession for them.”
He owes these officers an apology. They were doing exactly what our mayor has ordered — nothing. We are going downhill fast. Bunny Abraham Manhattan
This week’s water attacks on the police were a disgusting show. “It was only water” is a stupid remark because it could very well have been something lethal or injured an innocent person. Carol Culkin Tarrytown
To allow these thugs to engage in this type of disgraceful conduct without being arrested at the scene is mind-boggling.
Due to a cop-hating mayor and his weak police commissioner, it certainly appears that New York City cops have no support and are hesitant to do their jobs.
This type of climate in policing is very dangerous for the cops and the public they serve. David D’Aversa Oreland, Pa.
I am totally disgusted by the treatment of New York City police, as seen on the recent videos. My father, former Rep. Mario Biaggi, was at one time New York City’s most decorated cop. As a congressman, his legislation created the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC.
Those young men in the videos should take a court-mandated field trip to the memorial and walk past the thousands of names of policemen who died in the line of duty, protecting others.
And if they don’t understand it the first time, they should have to walk by again and again until they do. Jackie Biaggi The Bronx
The mayor talked about how disrespectful it was for people to throw buckets of water at, and on, the police.
I find it amazingly hypocritical for this mayor, who, from Day One of his administration, has done nothing but vilify and condemn the police of our great city.
This is the same mayor who admonishes the police at every opportunity, and who has openly counseled his biracial son to be leery of the very police who have been assigned to guard him.
Talk about the height of hypocrisy. His term as mayor cannot end soon enough. Alan Brooks Brooklyn
The nitwits who showed their disrespect toward police by throwing water at them remind me of a bumper sticker that was around in the 1960s, when counter-culture radicals were routinely harassing and mocking the NYPD.
The sticker read: “Next time you need help, call a hippie.” Jay Roberts Jericho