OPEN LETTER TO ERIC ADAMS,NEW YORK  CITY MAYOR

The time has come for a new dawn in New York City. The tragic murders of Police Officer Jason Rivera (32nd Precinct beat officer) and community builder and the grave injuries police officer Wilbert Mora (32nd Precinct beat officer) sustained cannot be in vain. New York as well as other major cities are plagued with violence and weapons that robbed law abiding citizens and law enforcement of an opportunity to build a life of joy and prosperity. My deepest condolences to the NYPD, New York City and the families and loved ones for the loss of P.O. Rivera and P.O. Mora. My prayers and public service commitment are yours.

I applaud and appreciate your crime fighting initiatives as well as your mental health and social welfare programs to reach out to most vulnerable citizens. I support your state of emergency as violence continues to take a hold of New York City. I call on you and NYC council to lead with concrete legal and social justice actions to address gun trafficking and illegal gun sales. As we grieve the loss of P.O. Rivera’s life, let us not forget his mission/vision to serve and build a bond between NYPD and all communities. Let us take a moment and reflect on what concrete steps we as regular citizens, lawyers, activists and elected officials can do and will do to stop the pandemic of violence and horror we are living. I also call on you to fund programs to work with families and individuals suffering from mental health challenges. New York has always led the way on social change and in providing all New Yorkers with an opportunity to restart a new life. Take this tragic opportunity to call for and secure legislation and funding to address mental health and other issues plaguing our society. You are a mayor of change and hope. You also are in a unique position to build trust and cement the great community partnership as the YPD has with communities all over the city. You are both a community member and a retired police officer. I met you as a young bright eyed young woman through a program sponsored by Columbia University in the 80’s. Your vision and motivation to young people transformed lives and encouraged generations of parents, students, public health practitioners and citizens to become civic leaders. Thank you for your motivation and for listening when I presented as part of a theater troupe.

The time is now. You are on the right track and have the stewardship to make this systemic change.

New York and the world are awaiting and support you. To New York City council members, I exhort you to enact and support legislation in support of Adams’ initiatives. Thank you for your service. May the beautiful soul and smile of P.O. Rivera give all of us fortitude and clarity to continue building bridges among NYPD, your administration and our diverse communities. May the humility P.O. Mora be known for allowing us to regroup and push forward sustainable criminal justice reforms to protect the lives of those who serve and our citizens.

_________________________________________

Eric Adams is a former police officer, got elected mayor in November 2021. He promised NYC to be a law and order Mayor.