‘Leroy Hollywood’ and NYPD Officials Owe Palestinian Americans Throughout New York City an Apology
The Insensitivity of Kaz Daughtry and Tarik Sheppard Illustrates Why the Relationship Between Police and Communities of Color Remains Tense.
By Gary Glennell Toms
The following excerpt is from a commentary entitled 7 Major Questions for NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell. It was written and published in June of 2022, and I’m using it as an introduction in order counter potential “anti-cop” claims from Mayor Eric Adams, aka “Leroy Hollywood,” and NYPD officials Kaz Daughtry and Tarik Sheppard. I suggest each of the aforementioned carefully read the next few paragraphs.
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. I started as a columnist and went on to become the first and only Black associate editor in the publication’s 110-year history.
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.
Unfortunately, this is no longer the case. In fact, my relationship with the NYPD has deteriorated ever since I launched my independent and non-profit news site and established an office in Harlem. I could provide explanations as to why, but I’m going to save that for another day. Some very powerful people have been informed of what’s transpired over the last 10 years, and I’ll share details when the time is right. Trust me on that. For now, I’m going to focus on Hollywood, Daughtry and Sheppard and why I believe the mayor’s statements and actions of the NYPD officials, regarding the removal of the Palestinian flag at City College, have caused great pain and may have compromised national security.
The Palestinian Flag Should Have Simply Been Confiscated and Secured
That didn’t happen, and the embedded video offers irrefutable proof. I know many of the NYPD officials I worked with in the past would’ve handled the situation very differently. They would not have snatched the flag and thrown it to the ground with such disdain and conviction, and I’m publicly challenging Hollywood, Daughtry and Sheppard to defend what the member of service did. If they try, I guarantee it will not go well. Now, they can say something like, “The American flag was disrespected by the protesters, so why should we show respect to the Palestinian flag?” Why should you show respect to the Palestinian flag? First of all, and correct me if I’m wrong, isn’t the NYPD motto Courtesy, Professionalism, Respect? Secondly, how about the fact that there are Palestinian Americans living in every borough of New York City? NYPD precincts are in those communities and NYPD officers, some of whom may be Palestinian, are patrolling those streets! How are they supposed to feel and what are they supposed to think after watching the video of the NYPD official throwing their flag to the ground, again, with such disdain and conviction? More importantly, why should they believe the NYPD will protect and serve them….when it didn’t protect and secure the flag of their beloved homeland? Are Hollywood, Daughtry and Sheppard so blinded by arrogance, ego, power and pride that they’d ignore these facts and the patriotic sentiment of an entire community? If so, none of them are fit to serve the City of New York and don’t deserve the moniker of New York’s Finest. Period!
A Matter of National Security
I feel confident in stating a good number of Palestinian Americans living in New York City saw the video. You know who else probably saw it? Terrorists that are operating in every corner of the world. They’re already furious about the situation in Gaza and America’s staunch support for Israel, so one can only imagine the level of rage that may be permeating within terrorist organizations after the flag desecration and subsequent comments of support for it from “The Three Stooges.” Are Hollywood, Daughtry and Sheppard so blinded by arrogance, ego, power and pride that they’d ignore these facts and ultra-dangerous terrorist cells and/or networks who may now be hell-bent on targeting New York City? If so, they pose a threat to national security because they’re not considering how their actions and statements may have compromised the safety and security of not just New York City residents, but people all across the country. As city officials, they have a responsibility to set examples by not only leading from positions of strength, but with compassion, ethics, honor and integrity. Period!
Finally, I realize Hollywood, Daughtry and Sheppard may call a press conference to address what was said in this commentary. I hope they do. They may call up their mainstream media pals at PIX11, NY1 and other networks in effort to launch retaliatory strikes against me and my news site. I hope they do. They may have closed-door meetings with certain elected officials and so-called community leaders, in and outside of Harlem, to discuss ways to deal with “the problem.” I’ve starred in this movie too many times to believe the ending will be different. Again, I hope they do! I’m not running, and I’m certainly not scared. True journalism harbors no cowards. I said it earlier and will say it once more. Some very powerful people have been informed of what’s transpired over the last 10 years, so I urge all would-be attackers to proceed with extreme caution.You’ve been warned, and I’m done playing games.
This commentary is from the heart and…..from The G-Man.
Video source: The Toronto Sun