Ten days ago New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and his wife helped protesters paint a large mural on the street in front of Trump Tower with the words “Black Lives Matter.” It’s now been learned that the mural is being guarded by 27 NYPD officers (9 officers x 3 shifts a day) 24 hours a day.
Former NYPD Commissioner Bernard Kerik revealed the news on Twitter.
“Just heard that @NYCMayor has 1 & 8 securing the #BlackMindsMatter mural at Trump Tower. That’s one sergeant and eight cops, x 3 tours a day! Violence, shootings, and murder is up in NYC and this clown has three sergeants and 24 cops guarding a mural! If true, #SICKENING” Kerik wrote.
Just heard that @NYCMayor has 1 & 8 securing the #BlackMindsMatter mural at Trump Tower. That’s one sergeant and eight cops, x 3 tours a day! Violence, shootings, and murder is up in NYC and this clown has three sergeants and 24 cops guarding a mural! If true, #SICKENING
— Bernard B. Kerik (@BernardKerik) July 16, 2020
The guard detail was later confirmed by local news reporters.
It’s true. I was just there and spoke to the cops, they say they are getting paid to baby sit paint, and not happy about it.@BernardKerik
— Derrick Gibson Gov. 4 NY. (@Gibson4NYS) July 17, 2020
NYC has seen a sharp rise in crime rates this year.
At the Mayor’s behest, the NYPD completely disbanded a plain-clothes anti-crime unit earlier this year. Prominent African-Americans are now calling for the unit to be brought back.
The Mayor has also cut the NYPD’s budget for next year by $1 billion.
Last week de Blasio cancelled all large scale gatherings in the city through September. He has said Black Lives Matter protest can continue.
Photo by NYC Mayor’s Office