The Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID) has confirmed that today, June 8, 2022, at approximately 5:10 A.M, NYPD officers from the 67th Precinct, and the Emergency Services Unit, broke into the home of a law-abiding family at 3213 Newkirk Avenue, Brooklyn 11226. The Police action followed an argument between an occupant of said residence and another person from the neighbourhood.
The Police presented a warrant for the arrest of the individual that was involved in the altercation but refused to present a warrant to search the home. The officers ransacked the entire premises, broke down doors and walls, and purposefully destroyed the home, furniture and personal belongings. After unleashing this reign of terror and destruction, nothing illegal was found.
The officers terrorized women and children, including a nurse and a twelve-year-old child, handcuffed all the occupants, confiscated everyone’s mobile phone and instructed them to not record their Gestapo-style operation. This is unconstitutional and highly provocative.
Residents of this City did not elect Mayor Eric Adams to empower the NYPD to behave like criminals and hooligans in their interactions with black and brown citizens! Caribbean Americans are concerned that the NYPD is rapidly returning to the prior years of the NYPD Street Crimes Unit, which acted like gangsters. This unit was abandoned because of its abuses and reckless disregard for the lives of black and brown people. The Police descent into a similar morass of lawlessness, in the name of crime-fighting, is abominable and unacceptable.
CGID understands that the Police must work to prevent and arrest crime, take illegal guns and other weapons off the streets, stop interpersonal violence and ensure public safety. We support this mission. However, the Police must operate within the ambit of the law, demonstrate respect for the rights and civil liberties of citizens and conduct themselves professionally.
If the NYPD begins to operate again, in black and brown communities, like hooligans and gangsters, the community will not differentiate between the Police and the street thugs and criminals. Most importantly, the Police will destroy their own efforts to foster better, productive relationships with the community. This unfortunate failure will engender more crime.
CGID Strongly condemns this terroristic NYPD operation and calls on Mayor Adams and the Police Commissioner to launch an immediate investigation.
Rickford Burke
President
Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID)