Photo: Assemblyman Goldfeder has sent a letter to Gov. Cuomo, urging him to release important funds that would go toward safety upgrades for the NYPD. Courtesy of the New York City Police Museum.
As the police-community bonds that hold municipalities together continue to unravel across the country, an area elected official is calling on the governor to expedite the release of funds earmarked for safety upgrades for the NYPD.
Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Howard Beach) sent a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo this week urging him to release $60 million in funds earmarked for municipal law enforcement agencies state-wide, including the city Police Department, to purchase safety upgrades for officers, including bulletproof vests and bulletproof glass for patrol cars.
The funds, which were allocated in the 2015-2016 State Budget, are currently with the state Division of Budget, according to Goldfeder.
“This state funding will keep our men and women in blue safe as they risk their lives to keep our neighborhoods crime-free,” Goldfeder said. “I urge Gov. Cuomo and the Division of Budget to release this money to the NYPD immediately.”
The need for improved safety equipment is great enough that some NYPD officers have resorted to replacing outdated equipment themselves, Goldfeder wrote. He also noted that the funds should be released immediately, since criminal activity in city communities tends to spike during the summer months.
A request for comment from Gov. Cuomo’s office was not returned.
By Michael V. Cusenza michael@theforumnewsgroup.com
