Commissioner Kelly Fires Back at the Press

Commissioner Kelly Fires Back at the Press

Embattled New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly has some strong words for the Associated Press, which has published some 30 stories on the NYPD's aggressive and wide-ranging "counterterrorism" operations. “We’re sort of under attack,” Kelly told NY1, picked up by the Observer's Politicker. “It’s pretty tough to go up against a wire service that has a certain template that it’s sticking to.” 

Accusing a news organization of "sticking to a template" is cutting enough. But, to top it off, Kelly also claims that the AP isn't even doing it that well. "I would submit that they have not done their homework in terms of the Department of Justice Guidelines and the Handschuh stipulations," he said. "Right in there it’s authorized to do what we’re doing" — that is, monitoring Muslim neighborhoods and campus groups, as well as garden-variety liberal organizations, in and outside of New York.

The press-blaming shouldn't come as a surprise. Kelly has been feeling the heat in recent weeks: While Occupy Wall Street escalated at home, Attorney General Eric Holder said that the NYPD situation struck him as "disturbing." 

Read more posts by Alex Klein

Filed Under: ray kelly ,nypd blues ,muslim surveillance

Commissioner Kelly Fires Back at the Press
Alex Klein
Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:36:20 GMT

Did NYPD Officers Talk on Facebook About Beating Occupy Wall Street Protesters?

Did NYPD Officers Talk on Facebook About Beating Occupy Wall Street Protesters?

Earlier this month, Facebook comments surfaced in which people who appeared to be NYPD officers called participants in the West Indian Day Parade "savages" and "animals." Commissioner Ray Kelly promised an investigation and said, "It is disturbing when anyone denigrates a community with hateful speech. It is unacceptable when police officers do it." A similar conversation seems to have taken place between cops about Occupy Wall Street protesters on the public Facebook page of Michael DeRosa Sr., whose profile picture reads NYPD, written over a thin blue line.

The blog Addicting Info points to the exchange, which occurred on November 17, Occupy Wall Street's Day of Action. DeRosa's status update, sent via mobile, says, "On my way to wall street..... Let the savagery begin.... Hey Aaron see its not a racist statement!" As Gothamist notes, DeRosa's name also appears in the West Indian Day Parade group, and the comments on his OWS post include one by Wayne Rhatigan, whose name matches that of an NYPD officer.

Rey Hernandez, whose profile picture is also a thin blue line (a symbol for police), comments, "wish i was there with you guys..it would be nice to crack a white guy over the head...lmao...." Another person adds, "Lock one up for me!" Here's the entire exchange:

It is possible that these accounts belong to deranged imitators, although video evidence from Occupy Wall Street indicates that at least a bad handful of those sworn to protect and serve have a warped perception of their duties. But to publicly brag about it just seems stupid.

Read more posts by Joe Coscarelli

Filed Under: nypd ,technology ,occupy wall street ,facebook ,the internet ,police brutality

Did NYPD Officers Talk on Facebook About Beating Occupy Wall Street Protesters?
Joe Coscarelli
Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:54:01 GMT

Homeless Family Occupying Foreclosed Brooklyn Home: NYC Is More Than Just Manhattan

Homeless Family Occupying Foreclosed Brooklyn Home: NYC Is More Than Just Manhattan

Yesterday, with the help of housing activists and Occupy Wall Street protesters, a homeless New York family with two children took possession of a Bank of America-owned property at 702 Vermont Street in East New York. According to community residents, the home, which had been foreclosed upon and remained vacant for over three years, was maintained by a neighbor and served as a place for other homeless New Yorkers to seek shelter from the elements. A march through the community intending to shine a spotlight on the staggering foreclosure rates in East New York—nearly five times the statewide average—culminated on Vermont Street with housewarming party held in honor of the family. [ more › ]

Homeless Family Occupying Foreclosed Brooklyn Home: NYC Is More Than Just Manhattan
James Thilman
Wed, 07 Dec 2011 20:06:43 GMT

Zuccotti Park Owners Didn’t Pay $139,000 in Taxes, City Says

Zuccotti Park Owners Didn’t Pay $139,000 in Taxes, City Says

The finance department of New York City claims that Brookfield Properties, which owns the formerly occupied Zuccotti Park, owes $139,000 in unpaid business taxes from 2006–2009. "That’s obviously ironic," said Councilman Jumaane Williams, who was arrested while demonstrating against the park's clearing of protesters. "Occupy Wall Street has been talking about economic disparity ... and here’s Brookfield Properties, which has worked with the mayor to keep the messengers out, not paying their share." Brookfield says it's the city's mistake and that they "anticipate that this error will be resolved very shortly with Brookfield owing no additional funds." Other top city debitors include Lehman Brothers, Al Sharpton, and the Philadelphia Eagles, so Brookfield's company is mixed at best.

Read more posts by Joe Coscarelli

Filed Under: occupy wall street ,brookfield properties ,zuccotti park ,taxes ,nyc

Zuccotti Park Owners Didn’t Pay $139,000 in Taxes, City Says
Joe Coscarelli
Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:10:27 GMT

NYPD Disorder Control Memo Obtained By OWS Encourages "Strong Military Appearance"

NYPD Disorder Control Memo Obtained By OWS Encourages "Strong Military Appearance"

An arrested Occupy Wall Street protester obtained a piece of paper he allegedly found in the back of a police van outlining a set of "Dos and Don'ts" for the NYPD officers on the Disorder Control Unit manning the protests in Lower Manhattan. The 19 guidelines range from advice on proper attire to stressing the need to act as a team in chaotic situations. [ more › ]

NYPD Disorder Control Memo Obtained By OWS Encourages "Strong Military Appearance"
Christopher Robbins
Sat, 26 Nov 2011 19:55:31 GMT

NYPD Officer Answers Questions About Occupy Wall Street On Reddit

 

A two-year veteran of the NYPD who has been "a part of the OWS detail for awhile" took to Reddit a few hours ago to answer questions about the occupation and the NYPD's response. Which side is responsible for the "tension" between the protesters and the police? "Both. We stepped in to prevent anything unlawful by setting up a perimeter, but protesters saw that as us moving in to shut them down, which is not what we came in to do." If cops are part of the 99%, why don't they join the protest? "I wouldn't join because if I happen to do something dumb in the crowd and get arrested for it I can lose my job...I know a few that have attended off duty." [ more › ]

NYPD Officer Answers Questions About Occupy Wall Street On Reddit
Christopher Robbins
Sun, 20 Nov 2011 20:15:27 GMT