Fighting crime requires community support

Fighting crime requires community support
Associated Press / Mary Altaffer, File

New York City is now a different and better place when compared to the nineties said the New York City Commissioner of Police, James P. O’Neil recently.

Commissioner O’Neil made these remarks while delivering the featured address at the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, business and community meeting at Tamdon School of Engineers, NYU, Downtown Brooklyn, on Tuesday, Dec. 6. O’Neil in his opening remarks highlighted the long and hard efforts of the New York City Police Force working to fight crime. He said the police department did not give up and as a result the city has seen a reduction in crime. Commissioner O’Neil said that for over the last 25 to 30 years, the New York Police Department battled the problem and today’s decline is the result.

The Neighborhood Coordination Officers program implemented by the NYPD is another area for concentration for the department, he remarked. “This is a sure way to help fight crime in New York City,” the commissioner added. “We have to evolve, otherwise we will not make the city better and safer.” The commissioner said, although crime is down, 2016 is not the best the city has seen. “We were able to control fatal shooting and burglary is down. However, the community must get involved and know their precincts and their precinct commanders. As crime is a serious business, requiring the involvement of everyone,” O’Neil stated.

On the issue of terrorism, O’Neil said the resources for counterterrorism are in place to combat violent incidents and engaging in community policing will keep the situation down, he noted. Commissioner O’Neil asked New York City residents to reach out to the police even by saying “hello,” he added. “If you see something say it, report it so we can investigate, if you have video reveal them,” he suggested.

The New York City police commissioner said the NYPD is fully aware that in some cases disciplinary actions are required for some members of the force, as not all cops are complying with the regulations. For this the commissioner emphasized that in situations such as those, the public should record those incidents and this will help make the police members more accountable for their actions.

On the issue of safety at the annual West Indian Day Parade in Brooklyn, Commissioner O’Neil said “the West Indian Day Parade is a great event, but everyone has to help to guarantee safety.

Some members of the audience also questioned and outlined the need for total assimilation by the police department to the different groups of people it serves, especially in Black communities. In acknowledging this weakness in the police department, Commissioner O’Neil said trust is undermined in the department and he is asking for an improvement from the NYPD. The police commissioner stated also that the New York City Police department is aware of a surge in hate crimes since the presidential election and they will continue to work on keeping the situation down.