Republican Leader Criticizes Zohran Mamdani's Police Reform Plans

Zohran Mamdani, an Indian-origin Democratic primary winner in the New York mayoral election, has faced criticism from Republican NYC mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa. Sliwa claimed that Mamdani lacks understanding of police department operations, citing Mamdani's proposal to create a separate Department of Community Safety. Sliwa expressed concerns that this move could undermine the effectiveness of the police force by expecting officers to act as social workers, potentially leading to a rise in crime in NYC.

Mamdani advocated for significant reforms within the NYPD, including reallocating funds from policing to areas like housing, healthcare, and mental health services. He argued that community investment is more beneficial than excessive policing. However, critics, including Scott Munro, president of the NYPD Detectives Endowment Association, warned that Mamdani's approach could jeopardize public safety and deter recruitment within the police force.

Despite accepting police protection, Mamdani has been accused of harboring animosity towards the NYPD. Sliwa attributed Mamdani's rise in popularity to the shortcomings of Eric Adams' tenure, emphasizing the need to engage with younger demographics in the upcoming mayoral election.

Sliwa vowed to continue his campaign, targeting younger voters and drawing parallels to Donald Trump's appeal. He criticized Adams for creating conditions that allowed Mamdani, a relatively unknown candidate, to secure a Democratic primary victory.

According to the source: Times of India.