NYC Has Low Crime, So Feds Cut Funding To NYPD

Photograph of NYPD cruisers by SHARPSHOOTA.com on Flickr

With the economic downturn and the city tightening its belt, any money from federal sources would be a help. But now sources say the NYPD is not going to gets its cut of the federal money because its crime rate is relatively low! The Daily News reports, "Officials said the Justice Department decided the most worthy cities were those with serious budgetary problems and relatively high crime rates.
New York - which had applied for upward of 800 cops under the program but had expected to receive money for about 200 - has neither, so it's being passed over."

The Post has some stats about NYC's dropping crime—and some pointed quotes: Mayor Bloomberg said, "To punish our Police Department because they have driven down crime with fewer resources shows the backwards incentive system that is sometimes at work in Washington." And Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said, "After two successful terrorist attacks at the heart of the nation's financial center, there should be substantial and continuing federal support for the NYPD in its counterterrorism and conventional crime-fighting missions. We shouldn't be penalized for succeeding on both counts, and mainly on our own dime, over the last 7½ years."

The federal Community Oriented Policing Services, aka COPS, pays for police officers' salaries and benefits for three years; cities that are reportedly getting funding include Philadelphia, Kalamazoo, MI, and Rochester, NY, while Houston, Seattle and Pittsburgh are among the other cities that won't. Rep. Anthony Weiner told the News, "It is disturbing that the largest city in the country will not get this vital funding to keep our crime levels down," while Rep. Peter King said, "It is disgraceful for New York City to be shut out just because the NYPD is doing such a great job under trying circumstances and Mayor (Mike) Bloomberg is doing such a wonderful job of managing the city's finances," pointing out NYC is a "No. 1 terrorist target."

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By Jen Chung in News on July 28, 2009 8:53 AM

Comments [rss]

Reflect

I think its cooked books and big egos that got them into this. Bloomie and Ray were so quick to make it look like there were the super heros of crime statistics in this city. Now that they get no money because they were trying to compete with other crime stats. They want there real statistics now. This is bad news though now they will make crime up to get the moneys every year. Money sucks I hate it.

Moist_United

Good. There are too many cops in this city anyway. Police have never been around to prevent crime, their purpose has always been to enforce laws. This story only proves the point that the police need crime, otherwise they're out of a job. Let's face it, the drop in crime in NYC has nothing to do with the police ever doing a good job. It's probably due to the fact that more and more neighborhoods in NYC are becoming less affordable and more gentrified. The lower class is being forced out of neighborhoods that were once considered "rough areas," and are moving to cheaper cities and even the suburbs. So yeah, less cops is a good thing. Too many cops + not enough crime = bullshit tickets to meet quotas.

inoyourider

We should always have more cops.

HOTCUP

we can only stop the rot with a large dose of law and order, amiright?

buttface

The NYPD could easily make up for the shortfall by shaking down the retirement scams.

JacqueMehoff

The NYPD got enough toys and personnel. How many more cops do they need in Manhattan? how bout the other boroughs?

rhonda718

I know of many instances where the NYPD has encouraged people I know NOT to file police reports (because "we're never going to find your bike", etc).

You reap what you sow.

Snoopy

You need to file the report if you want any insurance money.

peanuthead

gee, maybe the fuzz will finally lay off critical mass, no?

Wza

Rochester has a higher crime rate than NYC.

Philly is what NYC used to be.

There are still plenty of cops in this city. Stop your bloodclot cryin'..

HOTCUP

look at how shiny all of those patrol cars are, though. and doesn't the NYPD have like two tanks? more?

a punch in the gut, yes, but there's probably some fat to trim.

Politburo

Is not getting money that you never had really a 'cut'?

Outter Burrougher

and while I don't know anything about the situations in Kalamazoo or Rochester, Philadelphia damn sure needs the cops

Snoopy

Most every city in New Jersey could use a shot of dough also.

MT

Good point. I hate to see the NYPD get penalized for doing such a good job, but c'mon people. Entitled much?

PKinNYC

well good thing Kalamazoo will be safer...

ides_of_march

How many billions did ACORN get from this administration? How much do the feds give to the Palestinian thugs? The list goes on....

Cautious Pessimist

Yeah, its all Obama's fault. Let's not pay attention to the fact that the same shit happened a few years ago with the states getting Homeland Security funding under the Bush administration. The administration that apparently felt that Wyoming needed the same level of protection as New York against turerrists that want to attack amuricah.