Zohran Mamdani pledged in December to dissolve a unit of the NYPD that deals with mass shootings.

New Focus on Police Reform Amid Tragic Shooting in NYC

The recent mass shootings in midtown Manhattan, which claimed four lives—including NYPD officers—have sparked renewed attention on Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. He has made a bold promise to dismantle major police departments that he believes contribute to riots, civil rights violations, and violence.

Mamdani is currently celebrating his wedding in Uganda, but it’s noteworthy that he previously advocated for refunding the police. Now, however, he seems to have adopted a more composed viewpoint regarding law enforcement roles as he campaigns for mayor.

In December 2024, Mamdani committed to “disband” the New York Police Department’s Strategic Response Group (SRG). This group is a specialized unit within the NYPD designed for crowd management, crime control, and other critical incidents.

The SRG is utilized in areas that require heightened police presence due to increased crime rates or specific events, responding to situations like shootings, bank robberies, and protests. Mamdani previously stated that the NYPD deployed the SRG to “harass and arrest striking Teamsters.”

He asserted, “As mayor, I will dissolve the SRG. This unit has brutalized countless New Yorkers simply exercising their First Amendment rights.”

Following the tragic shooting, Mamdani expressed, “My heart is heavy upon hearing about the horrific events in Midtown. I’m in a state of crisis as I think of the victims, their families, and the NYPD officers involved.”

On the day of the shooting, identified as Shane Tamra, the gunman entered an office building and opened fire, resulting in four fatalities, including NYPD officer Didalle Islam and three civilians.

The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, but reports suggest the shooter had grievances tied to the NFL and issues such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

In the wake of this tragedy, Mayor Eric Adams, who is campaigning for reelection as an independent, paid homage to officer Islam. He stated, “In memory of Officer Didalle Islam, we will honor the memory of those lost during this horrific shooting incident in Midtown.” He also praised Officer Islam, saying, “A hero and guardian, Officer Didalle Islam died in service; we will never forget you.”