Jan

Ray Kelly Speaks to the NYYRC

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly spoke to a crowd of over 180 attendees at the January NYYRC meeting kicking off with the NYPD’s stellar record of pubic safety. New York City remains extremely safe given its current population of 9 million, with the murder rate having declined to 471 cases per year in 2009, a decline of over 79% since 1990 (theft was down by 82% and assault by 62% over that same period). This record of achievement has ensured that NYC remains a global tourist attraction and the “new Disney”.

Commissioner Kelly was first appointed in 1992 by Mayor Dinkins, where he served until 1994. Among his numerous accomplishments was the reduction of crime as well his leadership through the first World Trade Center bombing in 1993 while Mayor Dinkins was in Asia. Reappointed in 2002, the Commissioner’s major accomplishment has been to remake the NYPD into a world class counter terrorism operation. The NYPD is the first police department in the world to hold a global view of public safety. With detectives stationed around the globe in cities such as London and Mumbai, the department is better suited to determine whether international activities are connected, or pose a treat, to the city. The NYPD continues to provide safety from foreign and domestic threats with the assistance of sophisticated cameras and radiation detectors positioned at all bridges and tunnels, and at major centers throughout the city.

One of the discussion points during the meeting related to the upcoming trials of Khalid Sheikh Mohammad and four other 9/11 conspirators in NYC. No public information has been disclosed as to when those trials will occur, however, law enforcement will be given a 45 day notice for final preparations. In response to a question, it was surprising to hear that the Justice Department’s decision for holding the trials was not made in consultation with the major stakeholders, such as Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Kelly, nor were any prior discussions held to mitigate possible concerns. Rather, city leaders were informed on the morning of November 14th, 2009, the day this decision was made public. Nevertheless, it is evident that the NYPD is preparing for security and is more than capable of addressing any possible threats.

We thank the NYPD and Commissioner Kelly for their service. We could not be better protected.

This post and the contents thereof are the views of only the author identified immediately above and do not necessarily represent the views of the New York Young Republican Club, Inc. (the "NYYRC"), its officers or its members. The NYYRC expressly disclaims responsibility for the contents thereof and by its charter documents may not, and does not, endorse any candidate for any office, except in a general election.