MSNBC "The Ed Show" - Transcript: NYPD Officer Killings
Interview
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
I`m joined now by Congressman Gregory Meeks of New York. And let`s start with that question. I mean, do you think that the pause here in New York City is going to anyway shape former passion? Slow the movement nationwide?
REP. GREGORY MEEKS, (D) NEW YORK: No. I think that the justice department and the Attorney General Eric Holder will still continue their various investigations and as we have said all along that the problem is not a New York problem, it`s a national problem. And so I think that -- what individuals do in other areas will continue and we`re just asking out of respect for the two slain police officers...
MELVIN: Yeah.
MEEKS: ... that there`ll be no demonstration until -- after their funerals.
MELVIN: Most scene to be heating that call by the way. I have not seen or heard a great deal about demonstrations around the city. Have you?
MEEKS: Yeah -- No, I have not. I mean, I`ve heard that some may -- want to do it but clearly it`s not any party, anybody that has been leadership of some of the other demonstration that have take place and I think that if you listen to the relatives of Mr. Garner.
MELVIN: Yeah.
MEEKS: ... they are all honoring it and Reverent Sharpton. So I think that -- And we listen to the Borough President of Brooklyn, Eric Adams and the Mayor of course. So I think that we`re together on that because we want to make sure that we respect the individual families who`re still mourning the lost their loves one.
MELVIN: Mayor Bill de Blasio talks about easing the tension in the city before the moment of silent this afternoon. This is just (inaudible) of what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DE BLASIO: We have to put the division of the past behind us and we`re left to all of us in this generation that we have to overcome them. We need to protect and respect our police just us our police protect and respect our communities. We can strike that balance, we must.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MELVIN: There`s been a noticeable shift in tone from Mayor de Blasio over the past few days. You think that`s been helpful?
MEEKS: Well, I think Mayor de Blasio has always been trying to bring the city together. You know, it`s a big city and there had been a lot of voices of individuals who have talk about, and who`ve just ask for justice within the criminal justice department. But at all times, I never heard the Mayor or the President or anyone else...
MELVIN: Yeah.
MEEKS: ... say into the (inaudible) that police officers we need them, they are good and this is not antipolice and we do not want any violence whatsoever. So I think that has been the message that`s been throughout with the families and with the mayor.
MELVIN: How do you think that message got (inaudible) modeled? I mean, how do you think it was that some folks came to try and co-opt the message or even perhaps the movement to a certain (inaudible)?
MEEKS: Well, I think unfortunately the kinds of rhetoric that the president of the Police Benevolent Association, Mr. Lynch has talked about. That wraps it up.
MELVIN: Yeah.
MEEKS: And what I`ve heard from former Mayor Giuliani, that wraps it up. But -- And that`s what they did. The city was the most divided city, you know, (inaudible) that specially around race when Giuliani was the mayor.
And so their using that same rhetoric that`s causing the city to be divided again. I would hope that Mr. Lynch would then tone down some of that rhetoric. As you said, you know, and Mr. de Blasio, have some behind the scenes dialogue and conversations, so we can pull this city back together.
MELVIN: Protesters who`re concern about police reform in this country. We`re going to talk to one of them in just a few moments. A protesters who are out there in their front lines, concern about that. What should be the next step for them?
MEEKS: Well, I think that the mayor has said the right thing with reference to retraining the police officers and having folks to understand the attitude and what would be the proper respect that`s given to him. I think the worse message is when you have police officers turning back on the mayor,...
MELVIN: Yeah.
MEEKS: ... you know, that is slack -- shows a lack of respect and I was always taught respect gets respect. So we`ve got to figure how we dial (ph) this thing back in that regards because that is the exact wrong message. In fact in many of the communities that are asking for police reform it is because the way at times certain police officers just come in without any respect to various folks there. And these are good folks. And they want that to change. And I think that`s public cry there. So the police department hears that clearly. I hope they also hear that we are not antipolice.
MELVIN: You got to wonder there was some -- next time something like this happens in the city. God forbid it happens at some point here in the near future. What is that point to me and for dynamic between, you know, the Mayor`s Officers and law enforcement? And what is that going to mean for the dynamic between other people who live in the city and the police who are sworn to protect them?
MEEKS: Look, I would hope, you know, because of the tragic lost of these two police officers and the tragic lost of Mr. Garner that we have more dialogue and conversations. I know for example, I`ve already met with my district attorney to just talk about how we can do this better. I intend to talk to the commanders in my local precincts. Sort to talk about how we can do this better, to make sure that there`s more of interrelationship...
MELVIN: Yeah.
MEEKS: ... and interaction between the community and the police departments. I would think that if we can do that before and pray that there is not another circumstance like this on either side Mr. Garner or the police officers who was assassinated, that if such tragedy takes place, we at least will have that base from which to work from.
MELVIN: Someone pointed out earlier today and I think the point was made yesterday as well that something that has gotten lost in all of these point made by the killer`s sister, said here`s a guy who was arrested, you know, more than 15 times, spend two years in prison, clearly had some issues. And according to her sister could get help in the system. He has manages to slip through the cracks time and time again. And something like this ends up happening.
MEEKS: And that`s the real issue here.
MELVIN: But what can be -- but what can realistically be done about that?
MEEKS: Well it`s difficult, because the first thing that came to my mind actually, not that this was retribution because of Mr. Brown or Mr. Garner. But what happen to my colleague in Arizona...
MELVIN: Gabby Giffords.
MEEKS: ... Gabby Giffords. So that`s -- the first thing when I heard it, the first thing I though about it must to be someone to arrange because nobody in their right mind would do such -- or commit such an act.
MELVIN: But you and I both know that anytime you start trying to have a conversation -- a reasonable conversation about -- and I`m even reluctant to use the freeze gun control. But when you have a conversation about guns in this country, that`s it. I mean it`s not, you know.
MEEKS: That`s absolutely true, part of the -- the other part of the news today was the guns that where being smuggled through the airport...
MELVIN: Sure.
MEEKS: ... in Atlanta and coming here through JFK. We`ve got to do something about that. You know, to get rid of these guns that get in their hands. But we also -- and it gets in the hands of individuals who do not need them. But we`ve got to do something about those individuals who do need mental health.
And sometimes when we incarcerate individuals, as you`ve indicated he was incarcerated for two years, maybe that was -- have a new -- that should have been available to detect the mental problem so that could be address and not just incarcerated without trying to fix that underlying (inaudible).
MELVIN: As guest said to me on a program here on MSBNC awhile back, I know of no one how`s ever gone to prison and come out better, on the other side. Congressman Meeks, thank always so much for your insight and prospect. Have very Merry Christmas sir.
MEEKS: Thank you.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source