Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NYPD Blames Lack Of Cops In East Harlem On Evicted OWS Encampment
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Dec 4, 2011
Modified Dec 4, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Roberta Munoz / Gothamist
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Dec 4, 2011
Modified Dec 4, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Last we checked, the Occupy Wall Street encampment in Zuccotti Park was uprooted on November 15, and with it went the massive police presence that had been blamed for ballooning budgets and an increase in shootings. But when parents in East Harlem called an emergency meeting with police officials on Thursday after a series of daytime shootings, they were told by the head of the 23rd Precinct, Deputy Inspector William Pla, that Occupy Wall Street was keeping officers off their beat in El Barrio. One parent present told the Post, “I was really annoyed that police would tell me that they are busy patrolling a peaceful protest instead of a gunshot-ridden area. That to me is shocking."
Another parent of a six-year-old, Raven Snook, said Pla told them "more cops weren’t possible, ‘due to a lack of manpower because of police being diverted downtown to Occupy Wall Street.' " While there have been large protests since the eviction, did Pla confuse those with the Occupy CUNY demonstrations? Does he not have a subscription to The Daily on his iPad?!
While the Post's lede is a start ("When in doubt, blame the hippies") we're looking forward to tomorrow's cover story and subsequent Andrea Peyser editorial. COPS COP OUT ON COLLARING CROOKS, CURSE CRUSTIES CONTRITELY.
Tagged
23rd Precinct
crime
east harlem
el barrio
new york post
nypd
occupy wall street
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Queens mother charged with murdering her son after failed suicide attempt, NYPD says
Sukken Wong, 62, allegedly stabbed her nonverbal son, Byran Wong, 25, to death.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Oct 23, 2026 at 8:01 a.m. ET
Your guide to voting in New York's 2026 elections for governor and Congress
A primer on the races for governor, attorney general and the congressional districts that could help determine control of the U.S. House.
By
Walter Wuthmann
,
Jon Campbell
and
Brigid Bergin
News
Your guide to voting in New York's 2026 elections for governor and Congress
A primer on the races for governor, attorney general and the congressional districts that could help determine control of the U.S. House.
By
Walter Wuthmann
,
Jon Campbell
and
Brigid Bergin
Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors
By
Ryan Kost
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
By
Elizabeth Kim
NYPD arrests 17-year-old in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Charles Lane
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .