De Blasio Spends Columbus Day Offering Kind Words, Praise In Effort To Woo Police
NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- For Mayor De Blasio, Columbus Day festivities were spent wooing police. He offered kind words and praise in an effort to bridge troubled waters.
In Italian 'mayor mends fences' is 'sindaco ripara recinzioni' and while Mayor De Blasio didn't utter those exact words on Monday, but as CBS 2 Political Reporter Marcia Kramer explained it was his mission.
"I just want to say to all of you, I am so appreciative of everything you do to represent the Italian American community, and your service to the people of New York City," the mayor said.
The mayor, whose relations with the NYPD rank and file have been troubled, not only marched in the Columbus Day Parade but also went to a post parade meeting of the NYPD's Columbia Association, made up of Italian American cops, to show his support for the men and women in blue.
"I appreciate the work you do," the mayor said, "We all depend on you. We appreciate and understand how hard the work is."
The mayor, who campaigned against the NYPD and its stop-and-frisk tactics has run into a buzz saw of criticism from cops for inviting the Rev. Al Sharpton to City Hall to critique police practices.
On Monday, he was all about superlatives.
"The finest police force anywhere in this country, I would argue anywhere in the world," the mayor said.
Not everyone bought in.
"The way the members of the NYPd feel is that the mayor is going to align himself with someone like the Reverend Al Sharpton. He's turning his back on the members of the NYPD," Michael Palladino, President, Detectives Endowment Association.
There is also resentment that First Lady Chirlane McCray's Chief of Staff, Sharpton crony, Rachel Noerdlinger lives with a man named Hassaun McFarlan also known as Hassaun Ackles. The man has an arrest record and according to published reports has called cops 'pigs' on social media.
"If Mrs. Noerdlinger had any character she would resign the position herself and take a lot of pressure and embarrassment off City Hall," Palladino said.
"I have absolute faith in Rachel. She is a fine public servant," the mayor said, "I think we've talked about this, we explained all the situations, and are trying to move forward."
The mayor defended Noerdlinger again on Monday, against those who say she sould have been disciplined for not disclosing her relationship and a number of other matters.
City Hall sources said that the mayor believes Noerdlinger has been unfairly targeted.
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