September 5, 2008
Bloomberg: Congress won't run NYPD
Mayor Michael Bloomberg reminded a group of congressional representatives Wednesday that the city's police department is his concern, not theirs, as the House Judiciary Committee considers nationwide policing reforms in response to the shooting death of Sean Bell.
"We are going to run our police department, and Congress is not going to run our police department," Bloomberg said after an unrelated news conference in the Bronx. "This is a police department that works and doesn't exactly need more oversight."
Bloomberg's remarks came after the committee held a public forum Monday in lower Manhattan on police accountability.
"Rather than say we are going to run the police department, he ought to be looking at the fact that there is room for improvement," the Rev. Al Sharpton said yesterday. "He should be concerned that Congress is concerned."
At the forum, Sharpton proposed ending federal funding to the New York Police Department until what he called a history of police abuse is rectified.
In a response, Bloomberg said U.S. contributions to the department are meager and wouldn't be much of a sacrifice. "We don't get that much money from the federal government," he said. "We keep asking them for more. We keep asking Homeland Security for more and they keep giving it out as pork."
Government funding has decreased since a post-9/11 surge, but the city has received more than $500 million in federal Homeland Security funds.
Committee chairman Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) said Monday that he and the panel's members, which include Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-Manhattan) and Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Forest Hills) will meet soon regarding the proposals.
Get breaking news | Most popular stories | Dining and Travel deals all via e-mail!
Copyright © 2008, Newsday Inc.
-
DONOVAN MARINE INC
-
BLUE DIAMOND SHEETMETAL INC
Things to do
Weekend planner
What to do this weekend? We've got some ideas.
Cheap Eats | Best of LI dining
GET THIS WIDGET
ExploreTV: Arts and crafts tour
Glassblowing, scrapbooking and pottery painting at spots across Long Island.
GET THIS WIDGET
Popular stories
- Pat Riley regrets '94 Finals, faxed exit with Knicks
- Tropical storm watch for LI as Hanna looms
- Officials: Teacher lied about child's death on LI in '73
- Victim of fatal Kings Park accident identified
- Westbury clerk wounded in abdomen by armed bandit
Special Projects
The
fight for civil rights
Local leaders, then and now, reflect on doing their part to push for equality.
The
Katie Trebing story
A daughter with a deadly disease, an extraordinary chance to save her...create the perfect sibling.
They Failed to Act
Since 1995, the Long Island Rail Road has logged nearly 900 gap incidents at stations from Penn to Bridgehampton.
Born to Serve
Michael P. Murphy's actions in June, 2005 earned him,
posthumously, the nation's highest military award.
Fire Alarm
The only comprehensive look at the last large public
service on Long Island impervious to outside scrutiny - the
fire system.
Remembering Flight
800
On the beach at Smith Point County Park is a monument with
the names of the 230 passengers and crew from Flight 800.
Our
Fallen
Soldiers from Long Island killed in uniform reflect the face of our communities. Newsday remembers their sacrifice.
Newsday's Vlog
Impact of high gas prices
With record fuel prices on LI, drivers and businesses try to cope as best they can.
Share your story.
Find cheap gas
My Long Island
