Mayor Backs NYPD Decision To Kick Press Out Of 1PP

Earlier this week, the NYPD told the established press who have desks and office space at Police Headquarters (1 Police Plaza) that they'd need to vacate by July 31, due to construction and renovations. A few hours after that notice, the NYPD then decided the press could still file stories from a little-used conference room but would no longer have the desks. When asked about the decision, Mayor Bloomberg said, "This is not a First Amendment issue; this is a construction issue. We just don't have enough room." Though the NYPD says it will try to find the press permanent desk space in two years, the NYCLU accuses the department of trying to control the media; NYCLU spokesman Christopher Dunn told Newsday, "There's no question that the press is much better able to report on the Police Department if they can actually have their offices inside of police headquarters."

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By Jen Chung in News on April 17, 2009 12:20 PM

Comments [rss]

blablanyc

I get a lot of feedback from the reporters I know about the NYPD not permitting them enter into public areas in NYPD and city buildings. From the stories I'm told, it appears as if supervisors are instructing officers not to permit access into certain areas. Even though reporters are legally allowed to. The officers get very nasty at times too. I think somebody better clarify with the NYPD what the rules are.

Guest

That will never happen. Why? Because the NYPD have guns and the reporters don't. I know that sounds very simplistic, but it's true. If the cops didn't have guns, they would not be nearly as brazen as they are. That's why Bloomberg really hates guns. He knows they are equalizers and he hates equal footing.

synik

Have any of you haters ever stepped into 1 Police Plaza before? I have and I agree with Bloomberg and Kelly. The building is way too small to house everything they need.

whitecastlerock

Good for you-so have I and I just see it as midget Mike being a bully

whitecastlerock

Its about jobs people-we just don't want the press doing theirs

Spirit of 76

Is it just me, or is Bloomberg more hateable with each passing day? It's gotten to the point where if I saw Hizzoner (or does he prefer His Imperious Majesty nowadays) walking down the sidewalk, I'd cross the street to get away from him.

Guest

The NYPD have been getting a lot of bad press lately. And I'm sure they deserved every bit of it, so it makes sense that they would want the one entity that shines a spotlight on their behavior gone. That being the case, they're all a bunch of punk ass cowards that are no better than the criminals they apprehend.