Brooklyn Professor Joins Mayor-elect’s Transition Team with Controversial Views

A sociology professor from Brooklyn College, Alex Vitale, has been appointed to the transition team of New York Mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani, and he’s no stranger to controversial ideas. Vitale is well-known for his book, “The End of Police,” which advocates for the abolishment of traditional policing methods.

In a statement, Vitale expressed his excitement about addressing safety within the community during this new chapter for the city. He believes that current policing methods do not effectively serve the public interest, instead advocating for a significant shift away from traditional law enforcement practices targeting issues like drug use and youth misconduct.

In his book, Vitale emphasizes that police should not be involved in combating street gangs, asserting that these organizations often function as a means of racial control. He points out that Black and Latino youths are often labeled gang members simply for socializing together, a skewed perception that overlooks similar behaviors in white youths.

Moreover, Vitale critiques border security measures, labeling them as racially motivated. He argues that the expansion of Border Patrol powers stems from fear and racism, casting immigrants in a threatening light instead of recognizing them as community members.

His views extend to the very structure of policing, where Vitale insists that racism is deeply embedded and not just the result of individual biases. He suggests that training officers to be aware of implicit bias won’t change the underlying issues within the enforcement system itself.

With three decades of experience in police reform and criminal justice, Vitale has been vocal about his belief in dismantling not only police departments but also agencies like the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Border Patrol. He even suggests abolishing the U.S. presidency, reflecting a radical stance on institutional reform.

As Mamdani’s administration takes shape, he’s surrounded himself with individuals who share similar anti-police sentiments, notably appointing campaign adviser El Bisgaard Church, who advocates for social workers to respond to certain nonviolent emergencies instead of police.

Currently, Vitale and Brooklyn College have yet to respond to requests for comments regarding this latest development.