National Black Police Association, Westchester Chapter, Westchester Blacks In Law Enforcment

As civil service officers, it is our duty to uphold the laws of the state of New York. However, as natural leaders it is our moral, ethical, and human duty to reach and teach our families and youth by providing increased involvement and support thereby enriching lives and enhancing our communities.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Westchester’s Municipalities Bottom Line more Important than the lives of Law Enforcement

How many times will the law enforcement community and the people that they serve allow our elected officials to risk the safety of our community and the lives of our dedicated law enforcement officers?

The recent decision of the Yonkers City Council and Mayor not to authorize and provide funding to the Yonkers Police Department to purchase new bullet proof vests is unacceptable. It indicates to us that the bottom line is more important than the safety of the men and women who place their lives on the line for eight to sometimes sixteen hours a day.

The National Black Police Association has found that these careless governmental decisions have occurred not only in Yonkers but elsewhere in Westchester County. When you have cities such as Mount Vernon and Yonkers that have been infected with Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), gang members video-taping themselves with SALW, along with the rise of people being shot at or killed, the Police Departments should be well trained and equipped to do their jobs. They need to have the best equipment and training those professionals should have available to them. For any officer to go 5 to 10 years in this type of environment without the municipalities updating their body armor is an insult to the police officers and their families.

Unfortunately these decision makers will not properly respond until a life is lost. Regretfully if a life is lost, shortly thereafter a report would most likely be issued, more recommendations given and still nothing would be corrected. Why? This is because effective correction of a problem such as this in law enforcement costs money. It’s the NBPA’s opinion; our leaders would rather foolishly bury their heads in the sand and hopethat an officer is not mortally wounded than have the courage to invest in the safety of our law enforcement professionals.

In Unity and Peace
Damon K. Jones
North East Region Representative
National Black Police Association

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Response to Janet Defiore and the Mt. Vernon Democratic Committee

In response to the statement and press conference by Janet Defiore and the so-called Mt. Vernon Democrat supporters on the recent mailing of a flyer that had myself and Tony Castro candidate for District Attorney. It is amazing that Janet Defiore and her supporters would jump to conclusions so fast. No one asked me if I was responsible for sending this mailing out. I was asked to give a statement by Mr. Zherka, which I did, in support of Castro. That is all! The P.O. Box address is registered in Mr. Zherka’s name. We must wonder, is this the same form of research used by Janet Defiore to prosecute cases? No wonder Naimah Yancy, Dara Massey, Primivita Diaz, Irma Marquez, and Lance Cooper were all falsely prosecuted by Janet Defiore’s office. This is the same Democratic Party City Committee that did not know how to legally and properly submit petitions. So, it is no wonder they would falsely accuse me of doing something I did not do without properly finding out the facts.

Now that an attack has been made by Janet Defiore and these so-called Mt. Vernon Committee leaders on my character; without doing proper research of the facts; it is incumbent that I respond with Actual Facts.

The District Attorney’s office must be held accountable in failing to prosecute shootings and attempted murder cases. Those actions allow these offenders to walk the streets of Mount Vernon unchecked, often times holding the community hostage and paralyzed by fear. It is only a matter of time before they commit another murder, which is often in these same poor, immigrant and disadvantaged communities throughout Westchester. The District Attorney’s office refuses to prosecute, even when they have witnesses or compelling evidence. If these same shootings, as well as drug and violent crimes occurred in Rye and or Scarsdale, the District Attorney’s office would most certainly prosecute. SO WHY ARE THEY SUPPORTING HER?

The “sweep under the rug technique” used by Westchester politicians and the DA’s office was a disservice to the Ridley Family, the four County Police Officers, ALL Mt. Vernon Police Officers and the Mt. Vernon Community. I will never forget the Detective Ridley tragedy and by no means will I ever use it for any political gain, because I am not a politician. I have supported the Ridley family from the beginning. I have stood with Stan Ridley when he announced his lawsuit against the county and Janet Defiore when none of these so-called Democratic community leaders would. Where were these so-called community leaders and supporters, then? I have supported the Ridley family from the beginning and will support them to the end. The question is, can these so-called community leaders say the same?

I have given service to the community of Mt. Vernon for over a decade. I was president of the Universal Community Development Corp. I was a member of Ujima Million Man March organization. I even worked on the plans for the Hip-hop Museum under former Mayor Davis. My son was born and lives in Mt. Vernon. I have been consistent in fighting for Human and Civil Rights violations of people of all colors. If there is an interloper around, it is these so-called leaders of the Democratic committee of Mt. Vernon. They interlope on the community’s Freedom of Thought, Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Action.It is time for Revolutionary thinking in how the people of Mt. Vernon handle Politics, Policies and Procedures that affect our everyday life. Begin the change now!

Damon K. Jones