By: Edwina McCarthy
The New York Post has the exclusive story of how NYPD higher-ups are forcing the rank-and-file members to put stickers on their phones to remind them to limit their use.
The directive requiring the stickers was added to the NYPD’s patrol guide last week, according to a “Finest Message” sent to cops a day before Thanksgiving, writes Tina Moore. “Upon receipt, all members of the service are required to affix an ‘NYPD phone sticker’ to the outside of their department issued cell phone case, so that it’s clearly visible,” the order dated Nov. 23 reads.
Mayor Eric Adams, himself a former transit cop, has also given a directive, in response to rising crime rates. He is asking all New Yorkers to send him pictures of cops not doing their jobs.
“You walk downstairs, you see five transit officers standing at the booth looking at their phones. If you see it, send me a picture. Let me know. Because I’ll go to that district the next day and see exactly what’s happening.”
The NYPD didn’t answer specific recent questions from The New York Post about why the stickers are required. But police sources said the stickers were ordered to keep cops off their personal phones while working.
“It’s nonsense. It’s basically to keep you off your own phone,” a cop said to The New York Post. “If the boss sees you, he wants to see that you’re only using the job phone. It’s all horses–t. It’s very intrusive,” the officer said. “What is this, kindergarten? People are pissed off. I mean, what are we doing here? Are we children? We’re grown men and women.”
“The stickers don’t even stick anyway,” he said. “Somebody who had it on their phone for a week and a half said it already fell off. Does it do anything special? Glow in the dark, display the bat signal?” the Bronx cop quipped.
“Inspections will write you up for being on your personal phone unless you have a legitimate reason, like ‘Hey listen, my wife’s sick’ or this or that.
“I think it’s childish,” the officer said of the crackdown. “It’s ridiculous, but it’s the NYPD. They’re hammering these kids on every little thing.”
Meanwhile, Governor Hochul’s response is that things are going well in New York City and that cops just need to be left alone to do their jobs.
“I have confidence in the NYPD to do their jobs, as well as the MTA police officers. I’m grateful for what they do,” she said. “People need a sense of security. There’re multiple ways to accomplish that.”
Meanwhile there has been some good news for Mayor Adams on the crime front. Adams is starting to see his support grow from New Yorkers on the conservative side of the aisle , as the Mayor has enjoyed appearing on WABC radio , a popular outlet for Republican and conservative New Yorkers, something de Blasio never attempted to do, as he approached New Yorkers on the other side of the aisle as the enemy and ignored their concerns, Adams is making a valiant effort to speak to all of his constituents
NY 12 reported:
The latest statistics from the NYPD suggest a decrease in most types of crime for November 2022, with a few exceptions.
The overall citywide crime index decreased by 1.2% compared with November 2021, according to the data.