7 Major Questions for NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell

For Darius Lee, the Injured, and the Harlem Community

 

By Gary Glennell Toms

I’ve written hundreds of news stories on the New York City Police Department (NYPD). Some were extremely favorable, and some were not. Even when the stories did not showcase the department in a favorable manner, I still managed to develop extremely good working relationships with high-ranking NYPD officials over the course of my career, which includes my seven-year stint with The Wave of Long Island, Rockaway’s newspaper of record and the third-oldest news publication in the city.

The late Chief Thomas Lawless, Captain Charles Talamo, who underwent special training with the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, Lt. Rob Schwach, who created the NYPD’s C.O.B.R.A. program, Deputy Inspector Kenneth Lindhal, who was with the 101st Precinct in Far Rockaway, and P.O. Kelli Cooper, who went on to direct and produce an acclaimed documentary called “The Mission is Possible,” were some of the law enforcement officials I worked with and later befriended. I respected them and the job they had to do, and they respected me for having the courage to ask the hard questions and hold people in power accountable through my reporting. As Captain Talamo once said, “You’re tough on the department, G-Man, but you’re always fair.”

Many years have passed, and the aforementioned officials are no longer with us or have retired. Truth be told, I sincerely miss interacting with them because even though they were, first and foremost, what I call “true blue,” they were always willing to meet and candidly speak with me if I had questions about an incident or an NYPD policy or procedure, especially if it had the potential to impact communities of color. If they came across as disingenuous in their responses, they knew I would double down and pose even tougher questions until real answers were provided. Even though I made them feel uncomfortable on occasion, and vice versa, a level of respect was always maintained.

That said, I would like Mayor Eric Adams, a former NYPD captain, and NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell to keep these facts in mind as I present the following questions. Moreover, I would like Commissioner Sewell to understand that these questions are not being posed in effort to attack or embarrass her in any way. They are being posed publicly because the NYPD only grants access and/or interviews to certain media outlets or organizations, and they are being posed solely because she is the highest-ranking law enforcement representative in the City of New York. Thus, she is best-suited to provide vital information to members of the Harlem community, especially the family of Darius Lee and the families of those who were injured, in the wake of the shootings that took place during Father’s Day and Juneteenth weekend. 

1. According to a report in the New York Daily News, the barbecue was organized by local rapper Rich Rhymer, who was filming a rap video when the shootings took place. Did the rapper have a permit for the barbecue and to film?

2. If the answer to previous question is no, why weren’t officers dispatched or canvassing the area, as was the case with the 32nd Precinct at 142nd Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard earlier in the day?

3. How long were participants at the location prior to the shootings?

4. Were 911 disturbance calls placed leading up to the shootings? If so, again, why weren’t officers dispatched or canvassing the area?

5. My news office obtained access to an Instagram video that showed a man conducting a live-stream of NYPD vehicles stationed along 142nd Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard on June 19. The man appeared upset that the police shut down a non-permitted event scheduled for Father’s Day and stated… “Ain’t gonna stop anything! Ain’t gonna stop anything!” The man then urged those viewing the stream to contact him through direct messaging (DM) to get information on a “new/secret” location for the non-permitted event. If the NYPD also obtained access to this video, has the department considered whether there’s a correlation between the so-called new/secret location and the area where the shootings and killing of Darius Lee took place?

6. My news office, in collaboration with the New York City Police Department (NYPD), published an exclusive report on June 17. In said report, the 32nd Precinct conveyed concern about a non-permitted Father’s Day event and how it could spark incidents of violence. The report was submitted to your office, Commissioner Sewell, the same day it was published. My office never received a response, but you conducted a press conference shortly after the June 20 shootings. Given these facts, what would you say to those who may conclude you should have taken a more proactive approach in the wake of the report that was submitted? For example, called a press conference with Mayor Eric Adams and stated an even greater number of NYPD officers would be canvassing Harlem and other sections of the city throughout the holiday weekend.

7. At this point, what would you, Mayor Adams and Commissioner Sewell, say to angry and frightened New York City residents who question your ability to effectively address the rising level of crime and gun violence in not just Harlem, but the entire city?

If you choose not to address me, I respectfully request that you address the residents of Harlem and this great city.