# And now: What about all those cops turning their backs on De Blasio? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 27, 2014, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-what-about-all-those-cops-turning-their-backs-on-de-blasio/708293 "2014-12-27T20:22:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2014, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-what-about-all-those-cops-turning-their-backs-on-de-blasio/708293/261 "2014-12-31T11:07:32Z")
The [New York Times](http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/30/opinion/police-respect-squandered-in-attacks-on-de-blasio.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=c-column-top-span-region®ion=c-column-top-span-region&WT.nav=c-column-top-span-region&_r=1) has an article on this. So does the [New Yorker](http://www.newyorker.com/news/amy-davidson/nypd-turning-back-de-blasio). [Gawker](http://gawker.com/the-nypd-is-an-embarrassment-to-the-city-of-new-york-1676173181)’s article on it is pretty good too. ---
**Author:** ![Donald\_Rump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Donald\_Rump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donald_Rump)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2014, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-what-about-all-those-cops-turning-their-backs-on-de-blasio/708293/262 "2014-12-31T11:59:23Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > The [New York Times](http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/30/opinion/police-respect-squandered-in-attacks-on-de-blasio.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=c-column-top-span-region®ion=c-column-top-span-region&WT.nav=c-column-top-span-region&_r=1) has an article on this. So does the [New Yorker](http://www.newyorker.com/news/amy-davidson/nypd-turning-back-de-blasio). [Gawker](http://gawker.com/the-nypd-is-an-embarrassment-to-the-city-of-new-york-1676173181)’s article on it is pretty good too. Thanks. So, now that the police have stopped doing their job, I take it we can all hysterically scream that they have blood on their hands the next time someone is shot, or slips on a banana peel that wasn’t properly discarded. Cool game, Pat Lynch. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2014, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-what-about-all-those-cops-turning-their-backs-on-de-blasio/708293/263 "2014-12-31T15:23:53Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > The [New York Times](http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/30/opinion/police-respect-squandered-in-attacks-on-de-blasio.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=c-column-top-span-region®ion=c-column-top-span-region&WT.nav=c-column-top-span-region&_r=1) has an article on this. So does the [New Yorker](http://www.newyorker.com/news/amy-davidson/nypd-turning-back-de-blasio). [Gawker](http://gawker.com/the-nypd-is-an-embarrassment-to-the-city-of-new-york-1676173181)’s article on it is pretty good too. Just to be clear, those are not “articles”, they’re editorials. **Cheesteak’s** link doesn’t work for me, and I’m not seeing anything that says the NYPD is on strike in your links. I may have missed it, so correct me if I’m wrong (not that you’re saying so, but others are). ---
**Author:** ![Donald\_Rump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Donald\_Rump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donald_Rump)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2014, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-what-about-all-those-cops-turning-their-backs-on-de-blasio/708293/264 "2014-12-31T15:29:10Z")
Try this one. > **[Arrests plummet 66% with NYPD in virtual work stoppage](https://nypost.com/2014/12/29/arrests-plummet-following-execution-of-two-cops/)** > > It’s not a slowdown — it’s a virtual work stoppage. NYPD traffic tickets and summonses for minor offenses have dropped off by a staggering 94 percent following the execution of two cops — as office… ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2014, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-what-about-all-those-cops-turning-their-backs-on-de-blasio/708293/265 "2014-12-31T15:47:49Z")
> [@Donald\_Rump](#): > > Try this one. > > [Exclusive | Arrests plummet 66% with NYPD in virtual work stoppage](http://nypost.com/2014/12/29/arrests-plummet-following-execution-of-two-cops/) That’s not a strike. Looks like they are protesting the abandonment of the “broken windows” strategy. ---
**Author:** ![Donald\_Rump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Donald\_Rump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donald_Rump)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2014, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-what-about-all-those-cops-turning-their-backs-on-de-blasio/708293/266 "2014-12-31T15:52:33Z")
Sounds like one to me. Mass refusal of employees to work. Not a wholesale refusal, but a refusal to carry out a substantial portion of their responsibilities in protest and/or to gain bargaining power over the mayor. Hence, arrests for minor offenses being down 66%, and for some offenses down 94%. In effect, that’s a strike whether the police declare it to be or not. > **[Strike action](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strike_action)** > > Strike action, also called labor strike, labour strike, or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strikes became common during the Industrial Revolution, when mass labor became important in factories and mines. As striking became a more common practice, governments were often pushed to act (either by private business or by union workers). When government intervention occurred, it was rar... Why isn’t it a strike? ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2014, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-what-about-all-those-cops-turning-their-backs-on-de-blasio/708293/267 "2014-12-31T16:23:42Z")
> [@Donald\_Rump](#): > > Sounds like one to me. Mass refusal of employees to work. Not a wholesale refusal, but a refusal to carry out a substantial portion of their responsibilities in protest and/or to gain bargaining power over the mayor. Hence, arrests for minor offenses being down 66%, and for some offenses down 94%. In effect, that’s a strike whether the police declare it to be or not. > > [Strike action - Wikipedia](http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strike_action) > > Why isn’t it a strike? No where in the article you link is the word “strike” mentioned so that’s probably a clue. If you want to use words in non-standard ways you’ll have to define it so your audience can follow along. So arrests are down - sounds like a win for the stop and frisk opponents at least. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2014, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-what-about-all-those-cops-turning-their-backs-on-de-blasio/708293/268 "2014-12-31T16:29:06Z")
> [@Donald\_Rump](#): > > Sounds like one to me. Mass refusal of employees to work. Not a wholesale refusal, but a refusal to carry out a substantial portion of their responsibilities in protest and/or to gain bargaining power over the mayor. Hence, arrests for minor offenses being down 66%, and for some offenses down 94%. In effect, that’s a strike whether the police declare it to be or not. > > [Strike action - Wikipedia](http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strike_action) > > Why isn’t it a strike? Because they are still working. ---
**Author:** ![Donald\_Rump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Donald\_Rump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donald_Rump)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2014, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-what-about-all-those-cops-turning-their-backs-on-de-blasio/708293/269 "2014-12-31T16:36:58Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > No where in the article you link is the word “strike” mentioned so that’s probably a clue. If you want to use words in non-standard ways you’ll have to define it so your audience can follow along. > > So arrests are down - sounds like a win for the stop and frisk opponents at least. The NY Post can omit whatever words they want; they are probably the most blindly cop-worshipping publication in America, so it doesn’t surprise me that they would put a charitable spin on the disgraceful behavior of the NYPD in the past week. Not all [conservative commentators](http://thefederalist.com/2014/12/31/the-nypds-revolt-is-a-direct-threat-to-democracy/)agree with the Post. Care to explain how my use of the word “strike” is illicit? “[Strike](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strike_action#Variations)” is a fairly broad term and the reported actions by police officers fall well within its meaning. What would you call it? “On-job protest via not-doing-one’s-job?” ---
**Author:** ![Donald\_Rump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Donald\_Rump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donald_Rump)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2014, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-what-about-all-those-cops-turning-their-backs-on-de-blasio/708293/270 "2014-12-31T16:59:19Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Because they are still working. I’m not aware of the [definition](http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/strike)of “strike” requiring full cessation of all work. For example, one type of strike: > [@](#): > > _Slowdown_ An intermittent work stoppage by employees who remain on the job. Slowdowns are illegal because they give the employees an unfair bargaining advantage by making it impossible for the employer to plan for production by the workforce. An employer may discharge an employee for a work slowdown. My point frankly was not to get into a quibbling match over the definition of the word “strike.” Let me restate my original post, if you prefer: > [@](#): > > In short, the NYPD is **deliberately reducing their productivity by as much as 66% where minor offenses are concerned** because their feelings are hurt by something a politician said. How any conservative law-and-order type can be ok with this is beyond me. Can we drop the charade of calling these people New York’s “finest?” ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2014, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-what-about-all-those-cops-turning-their-backs-on-de-blasio/708293/271 "2014-12-31T17:04:12Z")
But isn’t aren’t they just doing their jobs the way the Mayor thinks they should do them. a to of the broken window policing and stop and frisk necessitate that the cops are starting the encounter with the moral high ground. If the Mayor 1) doesn’t what that Guiliani-type of policing and looks at the cops’ interaction with people of color as starting from a cops are racist baseline, they’d be crazy to police as they had been. ---
**Author:** ![Wolf333](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf333/32/3460_2.png) [@Wolf333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolf333)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2014, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-what-about-all-those-cops-turning-their-backs-on-de-blasio/708293/272 "2014-12-31T17:05:23Z")
So, I’m confused… conservatives are now supportive of public sector unions? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2014, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-what-about-all-those-cops-turning-their-backs-on-de-blasio/708293/273 "2014-12-31T17:09:02Z")
> [@Wolf333](#): > > So, I’m confused… conservatives are now supportive of public sector unions? It makes sense when the particular public sector union is fighting for their right to use deadly force on THOSE PEOPLE without drawing criticism. The Right loves them some authoritarians… ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2014, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-what-about-all-those-cops-turning-their-backs-on-de-blasio/708293/274 "2014-12-31T17:11:18Z")
> [@Wolf333](#): > > So, I’m confused… conservatives are now supportive of public sector unions? Not me. The same actions by the police could be done if there was no union in place. I support that people who risk their lives to make the city safer for everyone not start the day with the DeBlasio narrative of “what are you going to do wrong today you racist bunch of cops”. Good for them for pushing back against this asshole. It’s truly amazing that New Yorkers voted for this leftist twit. ---
**Author:** ![Pashnish\_Ewing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8797f3/32.png) [@Pashnish\_Ewing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pashnish_Ewing)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2014, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-what-about-all-those-cops-turning-their-backs-on-de-blasio/708293/275 "2014-12-31T17:24:43Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > the DeBlasio narrative of “what are you going to do wrong today you racist bunch of cops” You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2014, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-what-about-all-those-cops-turning-their-backs-on-de-blasio/708293/276 "2014-12-31T17:36:42Z")
> [@Donald\_Rump](#): > > Care to explain how my use of the word “strike” is illicit? “[Strike](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strike_action#Variations)” is a fairly broad term and the reported actions by police officers fall well within its meaning. What would you call it? “On-job protest via not-doing-one’s-job?” It’s not illicit, just misleading. I see you’ve rephrased so that’s cool. I would probably characterize it as a work slowdown. Union sanctioned strikes have different characteristics and protection than other types of actions that you are alluding to. Being precise is important. In any event, none of this changes my view on unions. I have no problem with them. They should also receive no special protection or recognition from the government. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2014, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-what-about-all-those-cops-turning-their-backs-on-de-blasio/708293/277 "2014-12-31T17:43:57Z")
> [@Donald\_Rump](#): > > I’m not aware of the [definition](http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/strike)of “strike” requiring full cessation of all work. For example, one type of strike: > > My point frankly was not to get into a quibbling match over the definition of the word “strike.” Let me restate my original post, if you prefer: I think this is bigger than the recent remarks by DeBlasio. It looks more like that was the straw that broke the camel’s back, and that this is a disagreement over police strategy. They don’t like what the democratic process in NYC produced, and they’re trying to change that with other tools they have at their disposal. There is a good chance this is going to backfire on them… ---
**Author:** ![Donald\_Rump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Donald\_Rump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donald_Rump)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2014, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-what-about-all-those-cops-turning-their-backs-on-de-blasio/708293/278 "2014-12-31T18:31:53Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > But isn’t aren’t they just doing their jobs the way the Mayor thinks they should do them. a to of the broken window policing and stop and frisk necessitate that the cops are starting the encounter with the moral high ground. If the Mayor 1) doesn’t what that Guiliani-type of policing and looks at the cops’ interaction with people of color as starting from a cops are racist baseline, they’d be crazy to police as they had been. If the Mayor doesn’t think the NYPD should pursue “broken windows” policing, he has a [very](http://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/bill-de-blasio-new-york-city-mayor-defends-nypd-s-broken-windows-strategy-a-target-of-protests-1.9732994) [odd](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Bratton#Policing_style) way of showing it. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2014, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-what-about-all-those-cops-turning-their-backs-on-de-blasio/708293/279 "2014-12-31T18:46:42Z")
> [@Pashnish\_Ewing](#): > > You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. No, he’s actually that stupid. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2014, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-what-about-all-those-cops-turning-their-backs-on-de-blasio/708293/280 "2014-12-31T18:54:25Z")
Well, protesters want cops to quit fighting crime, and Blasio sided with the protesters, so now cops aren’t fighting crime. Isn’t this what the protesters wanted? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-what-about-all-those-cops-turning-their-backs-on-de-blasio/708293.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-what-about-all-those-cops-turning-their-backs-on-de-blasio/708293.md?page=15)