New York – Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn), in conjunction with State Senator Martin Golden (R-Brooklyn) and several of their colleagues, have written to NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly to praise the NYPD’s counter-terrorism efforts in the Muslim community. The letter of support comes on the heels of the Associated Press report which declared that the NYPD has been regularly tracking various activities in Muslim neighborhoods, including monitoring worshippers at mosques, as well as diners and patrons at Muslim-owned or frequented restaurants or businesses.
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Joining Hikind and Golden in support of the NYPD’s proactive, anti-terrorism measures are: State Senator Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx); Councilman Daniel Halloran (R-Queens); Councilman Vincent Ignizio (R-Staten Island); State Senator Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island); Councilman Michael Nelson (D-Brooklyn); Councilman James Oddo (R-Staten Island); and Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Queens)
Calling the NYPD “a professional organization, well-regarded throughout the world for its expertise in crime-fighting,” the letter continues in part, “We admire you for going to precisely the source of the problem. The NYPD has wisely embraced the cold reality that heinous acts of terrorism have been and will continue to be attempted or committed by radical Muslims or other radical groups, whose sole desire is to murder, maim, and kill as many innocent Americans, and especially, as many New Yorkers, as possible. At the same time, we encourage you to investigate any church, synagogue, or business, which may pose a threat to the safety and well-being of our society.”
Hikind remarked, “There is a terrorist profile for a potential suicide bomber, and it’s not a 75-year-old grandmother from the Midwest. Political correctness won’t keep New Yorkers safe from terrorists. Nearly every case of recent terrorism has been committed by individuals from a Middle Eastern country. There is no question that the government has a compelling interest in protecting the lives and safety of its citizenry from terrorist attacks. That’s all the NYPD is doing in this case.”
The full text of the letter sent to Commissioner Kelly appears below:
October 6, 2011
Commissioner Raymond Kelly
New York Police Department
1 Police Plaza
New York, NY 10038
Dear Commissioner Kelly:
Much has been written in recent days about the NYPD’s efforts to infiltrate and study the Muslim community in an effort to root out terror cells and prevent potential terrorist attacks. It is well-known that with you at the helm of the NYPD, New York City, New Yorkers, and the world-at-large are safer today. We are safer because of the carefully-conceived and well-placed infrastructure of cameras and counter-terrorism officers located throughout the City, and we are safer because of the NYPD’s courageous stand in the face of often immense criticism. NYPD is a professional organization, well-regarded throughout the world for its expertise in crime-fighting. Indeed, it is the envy of many police departments.
Although many of the reports have been critical of the NYPD’s tactics, we, elected officials of New York City and State, write to you today to applaud you and the NYPD for using all means at your disposal to prevent another terrorist attack like 9/11 from occurring. We admire you for going to precisely the source of the problem. The NYPD has wisely embraced the cold reality that heinous acts of terrorism have been, and will continue to be, attempted or committed by radical Muslims or other radical groups, whose sole desire is to murder, maim, and kill as many innocent Americans, and especially, as many New Yorkers, as possible. At the same time, we encourage you to investigate any church, synagogue, or business, which may pose a threat to the safety and well-being of our society.
The NYPD must remain ever vigilant. Nothing should deter or discourage you in your quest to eradicate terrorism. For if we God forbid ever let our guard down against our enemies, we will surely pay a heavy price with the lives of our citizens. We remain eternally grateful for the NYPD’s fearlessness, bravery, and service.
Sincerely,
Dov Hikind
Member of Assembly
Signatories attached
I believ it was Willie Sutton, the famous bank robber, who was asked why he robs banks – to which he replied, “Because that’s where the money is.”
Are the American Civil Liberties Union and others trying to target the NYPD as racist for doing this?