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In reply to the discussion: City Councilman: 2 Police Officers Shot Dead In Brooklyn [View all]branford
(4,462 posts)I'm a lifelong resident of NYC. Despite the perceptions and opinions of many here on DU, the NYPD is actually quite popular with a great many New Yorkers. Even the majority of liberal residents appreciate the perceived safety and security provided by the NYPD and our relatively low crime rates compared to other cities like Chicago and Washington, D.C., particularly since the near lawless era of the 1970's and 80's has not been forgotten. Never forget that we elected Rudy Giuliani twice, gave three terms to Michael Bloomberg, and Bill Bratton, Giuliani's "broken windows" anti-crime architect, is once again our Police Commissioner, even under the far more liberal Bill DiBlasio.
When cops are shot in the line of duty, the NYPD receives a lot of support, and even better press coverage. All violence against cops accomplishes is giving right and justification to the bad cops, who are a distinct minority in a department of over 34,000 officers, risk making good cops pause or turn the other cheek, and engender greater support among the citizens of the city for more aggressive policing.
If there is a "war," understand that the cops will likely be the ones with the majority of public support, despite incidents like the Garner choking (remember, the grand jury chose not to indict!), and most importantly, the vast majority of the guns and military equipment.