Police aren’t the right response for all calls
Manhattan: I’m standing with three other women on the northeast corner of 84th St. and Third Ave. next to the Janovic paint store. Four New York policemen — one white, one Latino and two Asians — have surrounded an elderly woman of color they claim is mentally ill.
The white policeman, twice her size, is handcuffing her like she’s a criminal and not simply someone who needs help. I’ve seen her often, always dressed in white, calmly sitting on a bench next to a rolling cart with a giant cross sticking out of it, so it surprised me that she had caused a disturbance. She kept pleading about the handcuffs: “Take them off, take them off, they hurt. Please, I’m 75 years old,” but the officer, along with his peers, ignored her.
I asked a Janovic worker what she had done, and they said she was walking in the middle of Third Ave. and was almost hit by a bus.
When another woman and I asked one of the Asian cops why they couldn’t just let her go with a warning, he said, “Because we don’t care to,” letting us know that we should mind our own business. A Northwell Health ambulance then pulled up, taking over. They seemed kinder as they gently strapped her onto a stretcher, still in tears but at least without handcuffs, before taking her away.
I was amazed at the policemens’ lack of compassion. It was humanity at its worst. It left me ashamed. Susannah Bianchi
Undeserving
Whitestone: Police union President Patrick Hendry is attempting to stop the firing of 30 unqualified new cops who shouldn’t ever have been hired in the first place. Hendry was elected as union head and is there to protect the competence and integrity of the NYPD and the officers who elected him. Unqualified individuals should not be hired just because they are friends or family of unqualified, promoted brass of the NYPD. Hendry’s job is to protect and restore the integrity of the great police officers that protect us every day. Gene O’Brien
Can’t hold it
Bronx: This is in reference to the three individuals who felt the need to assault a young lady over a parking spot (“Woman, 23, slashed in face in fight over Queens parking spot,” July 11). First off, who told them that you have the right to hold a parking spot that belongs to the city? It is a first-come, first-served basis. Placing garbage cans or any other item to hold a parking spot is wrong. Evidently, rules and regulations are not being respected. It was heartbreaking to watch that young lady being assaulted by three people over something that does not even belong to them. Hopefully, the young lady will press charges against all involved and the courts can remind them that the garbage can is there for trash, not to hold parking spots. Arlana Solomon Girven
Stiff sentence
Floral Park: What a surprise and a relief to read that a judge finally did his job, giving a depraved homeless man who senselessly beat a woman with a hammer the maximum sentence (“Max in hammer horror,” July 10). Unlike so many woke, liberal judges who continue to give the dregs of society a gentle rap on the knuckles, often releasing them after a few short years to commit more crimes, the honorable Judge John Zoll is sending lowlife William Blount up the river for 25 years to life. That’s one less menace the good citizens of this city will have to contend with. Thank you, Judge Zoll. The rest of you judges, take notes. Angelo Vetrano
Nothing new
Manhattan: Has anybody noticed the improvements to their commute since congestion pricing started six months ago? Neither have I. Thomas Bower
Without warning
New Haven, Conn.: The New York City teachers union and young voters supporting a socialist Zohran Mamdani for mayor is the perfect example of the failing of NYC schools. They don’t teach the students the truth about socialism and communism. They put “democratic” in front of “socialism” to sound good. Voters, you better wake up. Vote out anyone who supports this twisted ideology or you’ll learn the hard way by experiencing it. Rob Mele
‘Communist’ combatants
Bronx: It seems that Luka Ladan, president and CEO of Zenica Public Relations, with its headquarters in Florida, is trying to scare corporations by trying to label Mamdani a communist (“N.Y.’s Mamdani loss is Florida’s gain,” op-ed, July 5). Doesn’t he know the armed forces are this country’s communist system to preserve democracy? Who brought that to my attention? Supply Sgt. Blake at Fort Dix, N.J., 1963-1965. He explained it simply: Someone is always watching over someone else, we all dress alike, eat the same food, are told what to do 24/7, receive free food and medical care and, at the end of the month, receive a small stipend. I have never resided in a communist country, so I don’t know how good or bad it is for the people. Frankly, I didn’t like our armed forces’ communist system, so I did my two years and out I went. Virgilio Carballo
Raise the floor
Bronx: Voicer Paul Weissman claimed that a $30-an-hour minimum wage would fuel inflation. He has it backwards. Decades of inflation that has far outpaced salary increases is the reason most wages, including the minimum wage, need to be increased. But a miracle could make it possible for people to live on much lower wages. If prices return to the 1950s, when sandwiches at the Second Avenue Deli ranged from 30-50 cents and entrees from 75 cents to $1.50, and you could rent a decent apartment for $30 a month, then people could live decently on Ralph Kramden’s $62-a-week salary. Richard Warren
Pitching in
Brewster, N.Y.: The response to the terrible and tragic flood in Texas reveals a truth about Americans: We are at our best when we pull together. Whether it’s hurricanes in Florida or wildfires in California, natural disasters know no party label. We are who we are because of our willingness to help one another. We will continue to help the afflicted in Texas and pray for the families. God bless America and God be with those dealing with the disaster. We stand with you. Larry Maslak
Putting the numbers up
Bartlett, Ill.: Voicer Adam Silbert recently suggested that Major League Baseball rid itself of Commissioner Rob Manfred if the league wants to “compete and grow.” Apparently, Silbert embraces the adage, “Never let the facts get in the way of a good story.” Here are a few facts to consider: MLB attendance reached 71.3 million in 2024, the most in seven years. This year, attendance was up 2% year over year through May. Clearly, MLB is growing and Manfred’s stewardship is a big factor. He shepherded two significant rules changes last year — implementation of the pitch clock and elimination of defensive shifts — that arguably saved the sport. Next year will likely bring another Manfred initiative, the automated ball-strike system (ABS), which will prove to be another huge leap forward. The facts are clear: MLB is in very capable hands with Manfred as commissioner. Glenn Bischoff
Domination
Brooklyn: To Voicer Dale Herman: I just read your letter, and my blood is doing the same. By Merriam-Webster’s definition of Zionism, you are correct. But in reality, it’s much more than that. Not militant nor violent? Come on, take your blinders off. Israel had complete control over Palestine prior to Oct. 7. It controlled the water, fuel and food — basically, strangling the life out of many innocent people. Israel was slowly taking over without dropping bombs. Also, I hate to break it to you, but Israel/Netanyahu are not trying too hard to get the hostages back. The longer it goes on, the faster Bibi’s plan goes. “Antisemite” — yeah, I know everybody who speaks out against Israel is an antisemite, no matter what they do! Jim Carney
Stop it at the source
Schenectady, N.Y.: To Voicer Tripp Hoffmann: Vasectomies will help stop the need for abortions — mandatory for men until they want to start a family. It does take two. Diane Hombach
