Zoran Mamdani, a leading candidate for mayor with socialist views, intends to disband the NYPD’s strategic response group (SRG) that was involved during a recent mass shooting on Park Avenue. This comes even after he expressed gratitude to first responders following the event.
The Queens lawmaker, who was somewhat of a surprise pick for the Democratic nomination, pledged on social media to abolish the SRG by December 2024.
Mamdani stated, “As mayor, I’ll disband the SRG, which has been expensive in terms of taxpayer lawsuits and has resulted in the violation of the rights of many New Yorkers.” This declaration came just a couple of months after his initial mayoral announcement.
The SRG is a specialized unit within the NYPD tasked with handling citywide mobilization, crowd control, and emergencies like shootings and bank robberies, as outlined on their website.
Critics have brought up Mamdani’s past comments regarding the police. In 2020, he supported “refunding the police” amidst the George Floyd protests. After the recent shooting, in which four people were killed—including a police officer—he expressed sorrow over the “terrifying gunfire” and thanked first responders.
However, it was members of the SRG who were among the first on the scene to contain the situation. A police source remarked, “He just wants to disband the SRG because they responded to his supporters’ protests.”
US Representative Elise Stefanik highlighted Mamdani’s previous stance, labeling it as disrespectful and unfit for a mayoral candidate. She noted, “It’s clear that the NYPD is viewed as a threat to public safety based on his past statements.”
Governor Kathy Hochul, calling for nationwide gun law uniformity after the incident, responded to Stefanik’s critique during a CNN interview. She questioned whether it’s reasonable to revisit comments made years ago, saying, “What are you doing to keep your members safe?”
In a separate post, Mamdani paid tribute to a fallen police officer, mentioning how the officer’s mother had questioned his choice of profession. Mamdani expressed respect for the officer’s legacy and offered prayers for his family.
Ken Friedman, a political consultant and police union adviser, criticized Mamdani for what he sees as a hypocritical reaction to the shooting. He suggested that Mamdani’s public expressions of grief don’t match his previous comments.
New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerald Kasser echoed these concerns, warning voters to think critically about choosing Mamdani as mayor. He argued that Mamdani’s opposition to the police could pose significant challenges if elected.
Other left-leaning politicians and supporters of Mamdani have been vocal about their desire to reform or disband the SRG, with support from several city council members. However, a spokesperson for Mamdani has not clarified his commitment to abolishing the SRG.
