The growing conflict between the NYPD and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has reportedly devolved into a split within the police department.
Some members of the city's police force have blamed the deaths of Officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu on de Blasio, claiming he's made the city a hostile environment for police. The New York Daily News reports that a dispute over the matter nearly escalated to the point of blows being exchanged during a Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association meeting last night.
While some officers agree with PBA President Patrick Lynch's assertion that de Blasio needs to apologize for showing empathy to Eric Garner supporters, others within the ranks believe there are more pressing matters at hand:
This is what my members want! a cop yelled near the end of the raucous meeting. They want more cars, better vests, more manpower!
And then the cop — one of about 350 in attendance — took a verbal jab at Lynch, who has called on de Blasio to offer a mea culpa for his continued lack of support for police.
They don’t want an apology, he said.
At the peak of the clash, about 100 cops were standing and screaming at Lynch, sources told the Daily News.
I don’t care about an apology! another PBA member shouted. I want to know what you’re going to do to protect us!
As this misguided battle continues, the question of what is being done to make New York City safer for civilians and police alike remains unanswered.
[via New York Daily News]
