Statement of PBA President Patrick J. Lynch on New Anti-Terror Equipment

President Patrick J. Lynch said:

“The de Blasio administration is once again demonstrating their reactive approach to governing, which typically results in ineffective half measures. Sadly, it took the PBA’s complaint to the State and a tough story in the newspaper to get City Hall and the NYPD to provide a portion of what local patrol officers need to defend the public and themselves in active shooter events.  The ballistic vests and helmets in patrol cars can provide immediate protection for police officers, but without long rifles to counter the immediate threat of the shooter, the officers and the public they are sworn to protect will remain in great danger.  Local patrol officers who will assuredly be the first to arrive at the scene, need every tool available, as well as the proper training, if they are to have a chance at saving innocent lives. This would be a relatively small investment for the City, and so the Mayor and the NYPD need to explain to the public what they have calculated as the price for our safety.”