First, we cannot pick and choose when and where sworn police officers are expected or permitted to uphold their duties in public spaces without significant changes to the law.In the case of the NYPD ban at NYC Pride, two aspects of the struggle are highlighted: This latest issue is representative of the greater struggle society is grappling with in terms of reframing policing. In short, the question all parties must answer is this: Are we willing to compromise public safety by delaying responses and experimenting with new security operations at a massive event like NYC Pride? Reframing policing Before making decisions concerning the utility and placement of the NYPD at this event, it would be prudent for organizers to review the data on the perpetrators of violence and hate crimes targeting members of the LGBTQ community and conduct a threat assessment. We do not have the luxury in these times to be dismissive of the potential for violence at mass gatherings. Given the current uptick in hate crimes and violence against LGBTQ persons, it seems irresponsible to make any decision that could be interpreted by those wishing to do harm as a decrease in security, especially at an event like NYC Pride. Simply stated, if a major situation unfolds, the first phone calls will be to the NYPD who, despite having been banned from the event, will dutifully respond. Private security professionals do play important and skilled roles in ensuring safety at large gatherings, however, this is almost always done in concert with police officers and municipal resources. Private security personnel do not have the same authority nor abilities as police officers. In terms of community safety best practices, this is misguided.
In place of the NYPD is the proposition to reallocate as many law enforcement event security responsibilities to private security and other community groups as possible. Yet in addition to the ban on marching in the parade, there is an effort to significantly decrease the numbers of NYPD members providing services and emergency response at these events. (AP Photo/Julia Weeks, File)Įven more critical than comfort levels at mass gatherings in these unpredictable times is participant safety. Organizers of New York City’s Pride events said Saturday, they are banning police and other law enforcement from marching in their huge annual parade until at least 2025 and will also seek to keep on-duty officers a block away from the event. "Heritage of Pride (NYC Pride) has long been a valued partner of our organization and its abrupt about-face in order to placate some of the activists in our community is shameful," the statement added.In this Sunday, Jfile photo, NYPD police officers march along Fifth Avenue during the gay pride parade in New York. In a statement, the Gay Officers Action League said they were "disheartened" by the decision. Now."Īll law enforcement officers were banned from taking part in this year's Pride event in New York. "The SRG should stand down and allow Pride-goers to continue their celebrations.
"Arrests, riot gear, and pepper spray have no place at a nonviolent and celebratory Pride march," the NYCACLU tweeted. Police did not confirm if officers used pepper spray on those celebrating Pride, but the New York branch of the ACLU has condemned officers for bringing "escalation and violence" to the LGBT event. potentially to break up pride celebrations? It certainly looks like they are confronting people celebrating pride from my vantage point." Meredith Cash, a sports reporter for Business Insider, added: "I am currently watching NYPD charge Washington Square Park with riot gear (helmets, pepper spray, batons). But people are extremely pissed about the NYPD presence and have started to retake the road." A bunch of cops on bicycles not far behind. "The cops, now the community affairs officers in front, are backing off a little from the park. "Things are still tense but the cops have stopped moving closer to the gathering in the park. "The police, in riot gear and on bicycles, are now blocking the entire road near the arch and now nobody is allowed to cross the road," Chung tweeted. sxPqvA0dKM- Christine Chung June 27, 2021 There’s talk of mace happening right now at Washington Square Park.