Manhattan, NY – New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has issued an executive order declaring a disaster emergency in New York due to surging gun violence.
Cuomo said shootings are a civil rights injustice overwhelmingly impacting Latino, black, and low-income communities, and that the state cannot recover from the negative effects of the COVID pandemic without quashing gun violence, The New York Times reported.
He made his announcement on Tuesday afternoon during an appearance at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan, WNBC reported.
“If you look at the recent numbers, more people are now dying from gun violence and crime than COVID,” he said. “This is a national problem but someone has to step up and address this problem because our future depends on it.”
The first-in-the-nation executive order will open the door for the state to use crisis funding to kickstart a specialized law enforcement unit and to funnel money into community programs in order to target gun violence, Cuomo said.
Under the supervision of the governor’s newly-established Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP), law enforcement agencies will be required to provide the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services with weekly data pertaining to gun violence occurring within the agency’s jurisdiction, WNBC reported.
The OGVP will use the data to figure out where gun violence is most prevalent so resources can be focused in those areas, Cuomo said.
The state will also use nearly $140 million to fund prevention and intervention programs, to include providing youth with community activities and creating summer job opportunities for at-risk kids, WNBC reported.
The state expects to fund 21,000 jobs for at-risk youth this summer and will kick in additional money to help provide jobs, training and stipends for 2,400 people who are no longer in school and who live in gun violence hotspot areas, according to a press release from Cuomo’s office.
Despite the massive law enforcement defunding that has occurred in New York over the course of the past year, Cuomo announced he is establishing a New York State Police Gun Trafficking Interdiction Unit (GTIU).
He said the unit will help shield New Yorkers from a flood of illegal weapons he claimed are being funneled into the state from areas that have fewer gun control laws, WNBC reported.
“While New York State has the strongest gun safety laws in the country, 74% of crime guns used in criminal activity across the state were purchased out of state,” Cuomo’s office said in a press release.
The governor further said his disaster emergency response plan aims to rebuild relationships between local law enforcement agencies and community members.
Through a partnership with John Jay College of Criminal Justice, the state will work with police agencies to implement police reform plans they were mandated to create under the New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative, Cuomo’s office said.
Implementing stronger background investigations standards for law enforcement officers is also a focal point of the governor’s disaster emergency plan, as is closing the “police officer misconduct loophole” by blocking officers deemed to have committed “serious or criminal misconduct” from being hired by other departments, according to the governor’s press release.
Cuomo also signed off on legislation Tuesday allowing victims of gun violence to sue firearms manufacturers under New York’s public nuisance laws, The New York Times reported.
Eddie Richardson, the Peer Support Coordinator for The Wounded Blue, explains why having someone to talk to is crucial in a Law Enforcement Officer’s recovery after a critical incident. PTSD expert and author Allen Kates, as well as Psychotherapist and author Dr. Trudy Gilbert-Eliot weigh in. Hosted by Lieutenant Randy Sutton (Ret.) Produced, Directed, Edited, & Written by Jason Harney A Lightning Digital Entertainment Production
One of the first faces you meet….Recruit Medical & Drug Testing applicant’s, etc….Wore a bullet around his neck (on a chain), which ricocheted off his head while on patrol…….
(Passed away few years ago I just heard)…..Dealt with “raw wannabes Cops”, – Not the Academy candidates….* He told many of “mopes” at the medical that – “”There’s a bunch of guys from Warrants Division downstairs who are looking!”” – after he read part of there background checks on wannabes candidates………* “
“I see a lot of your pale faces here today from “East Cupcake”,……Waaaaay too many of you are from of East Cup Cake….Where the hell is this job heading???……How many of you got lost getting here today from East Cup Cake?….Welcome to NYC East Cup Cakes……(East Cup Cake was suburban Long Islanders/Skippy had little use for East Cup Cake Suburbanites/He was NYC Guy)…….* “
” We have a medical today, – How many are you guys are “Surfers?”…..Because you’re gonna have a lot of swinging and swaging going on here today, – Enjoy your morning surfers!””…… (Surfers were a couple of male recruits who did not wear underwear to the exams)…..Embarrassment for them all morning….* “” Your careers are over as of today before you even start here @ at LeFrak, – If you miss them “dole test bottles” while your peeing, – If you miss aim in peeing in those bottles…Then you must be on drugs!! Goodbye!””…..(Dole was drug testing)…..* “
” If you can’t name five John Wayne Movies, – Then you absolutely have NO shot of becoming a Cop in the NYPD – In fact, we need to deport you to Russia immediately”
“……* “”Yabdabdoooo – Hello Fred Flintstone!””…….Over weight candidates when they stepped on the scale …..Dozens of famous comments, way to many to list….lol..thanks
MASS. STATE POLICE STATEMENTS: (5:35 a.m.) We are currently on scene for an ongoing situation involving several armed persons on Route 95 in Wakefield. We currently have Route 95 shutdown between Lynnfield and Stoneham. We are asking residents of Wakefield and Reading to shelter in place at this time. The situation is fluid. Media responding to the ongoing situation on Route 95 are directed to stage at the 99 Restaurant parking lot, 10 Main St., Stoneham. Media responding to the ongoing situation on Route 95 are directed to stage at the 99 Restaurant parking lot, 10 Main St., Stoneham. We will update further when appropriate.
UPDATE 1 (5:41 a.m.) We have several armed persons accounted for at this scene on Rt 95. They are refusing to comply with orders to provide their information and put down their weapons. We are asking residents of Wakefield and Reading to shelter in place at this time. Media are asked to report to the staging area and not to try to get closer to the scene for safety reasons.
UPDATE 2 (6:41 a.m.) Two suspects are in custody. They were observed and arrested by members of the Northeast Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council on North Avenue in Wakefield. MSP has taken custody of the suspects and transported them to one of our barracks. The situation is ongoing with the remaining members of the group. We continue to work to resolve the situation peacefully.
UPDATE 3 (7:13 a.m.) TENTATIVE — We are looking at holding a media briefing in approximately 1 hour at the staging area at the 99 in Stoneham. I will confirm as we get closer to the time.
UPDATE 4 (7:47 a.m.) Colonel Mason and Wakefield PD will brief media at 8:10 am at our staging area, 99 Restaurant, 10 Main St, Stoneham.
UPDATE 5 (10:30 a.m.) Remaining suspects on highway have been taken into custody by MSP Special Tactical Operations Team. Seven additional suspects being transported for booking. We will now conduct sweeps of their 2 vehicles and woods. Total of 9 in custody counting the initial two arrested. We will let you know when briefing will be. Thank you to our many partner agencies who assisted.
UPDATE 6 (Appx. 10:50 a.m.) 95 southbound reopened. Northbound remains closed. Sweeps of vehicles and woodline ongoing.
UPDATE 7 (Appx. 10:55 a.m.) Shelter in place lifted for residents of Wakefield and Reading. Media briefing soon, will advise exact time
UPDATE 8 (Appx. 11:02 a.m.) Media briefing at approximately 11:15 AM at 99 restaurant staging area.
UPDATE 9 (Appx. 11:10 a.m.) Two additional suspects were located in their vehicles, bringing the total number of those arrested to 11 (two initially on North Avenue and nine outside and inside the vehicles) ……………… According to their website, the “Rise of the Moors” group say they are “Moorish Americans dedicated to educating new Moors and influencing our Elders…” On their website, their mission states: “The main focus of Rise of the Moors is to perform all things relating to and appropriate to portraying the overall history of our ancestors – the Olmecs, Moabites, Canaanites, Hittites etc.; Informing all Moors of their political status here in the Maghreb Al Aqsa (America – Morocco the most extreme west);
Enlighten the minds of the fallen Moors, restoring them the their ‘In Full Life,’ ‘In Propria Persona Sui Juris’ status, as opposed to the mentality of a minor who is ‘Civil liter Mortuus’; to promote a collective of Moorish Americans and connecting them to the Rise of the Moors social and economic platform; to promote the use of moral principles and the branches of knowledge dealing with ethical awareness; to encourage all Moorish Americans to believe in the capacity of each other to succeed in business, to encourage, support and provide patronage in our affairs.”
“Our business endeavors will achieve its highest in fulfillment and confidence with the cooperation and patronage of all nationals and especially emphasized whenever possible between other Moorish Americans.” (Media release video from Rise of the Moors on Youtube…) HN NOTE: This is a developing story. There a many remaining unanswered questions. The Interstate Highway standoff lasted approximately 9 hours on a busy Fourth of July weekend. The latest is that 11 of these men were taken into custody today. The police investigation is ongoing.
Today is a special day here at the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office. Today, we needed some assistance for the Fourth of July Parade. Today, we have assisting us Deputy Zach. Deputy Zach has always dreamed of being a law enforcement professional and today, Deputy Zach’s dream came true. When you see Deputy Zach out on the parade route, give him a big shout and a waive!!
One of the first faces you meet….Recruit Medical & Drug Testing applicant’s, etc….Wore a bullet around his neck (on a chain), which ricocheted off his head while on patrol…….
(Passed away few years ago I just heard)…..Dealt with “raw wannabes Cops”, – Not the Academy candidates….* He told many of “mopes” at the medical that – “”There’s a bunch of guys from Warrants Division downstairs who are looking!”” – after he read part of there background checks on wannabes candidates………* “
“I see a lot of your pale faces here today from “East Cupcake”,……Waaaaay too many of you are from of East Cup Cake….Where the hell is this job heading???……How many of you got lost getting here today from East Cup Cake?….Welcome to NYC East Cup Cakes……(East Cup Cake was suburban Long Islanders/Skippy had little use for East Cup Cake Suburbanites/He was NYC Guy)…….* “
” We have a medical today, – How many are you guys are “Surfers?”…..Because you’re gonna have a lot of swinging and swaging going on here today, – Enjoy your morning surfers!””…… (Surfers were a couple of male recruits who did not wear underwear to the exams)…..Embarrassment for them all morning….* “” Your careers are over as of today before you even start here @ at LeFrak, – If you miss them “dole test bottles” while your peeing, – If you miss aim in peeing in those bottles…Then you must be on drugs!! Goodbye!””…..(Dole was drug testing)…..* “
” If you can’t name five John Wayne Movies, – Then you absolutely have NO shot of becoming a Cop in the NYPD – In fact, we need to deport you to Russia immediately”
“……* “”Yabdabdoooo – Hello Fred Flintstone!””…….Over weight candidates when they stepped on the scale …..Dozens of famous comments, way to many to list….lol..thanks
American Police News 