NYPD Promises To Increase Sensitivity In Light Of Sexual Attacks

Sensitivity Training / Cartoon by Barry Deutsch So everyone knows that crazy pervs are still roaming the streets threatening neighborhood women and elluding New York's boys in blue. We were all painfully reminded of this with the recent attack in Windsor Terrace on Sunday night. And the question on everyone's mind is: WHAT THE F*CK IS THE NYPD DOING ABOUT IT? 

I live around the corner from where the last attack happened. Because of this, I was visited on Monday by three separate teams of detectives all asking about my landlord's surveillance cameras. Each time I gave them the same information, and each time a new team would come. I would say, "You guys have been here already asking the same questions," to which a guy on the last team said, "Yeah we have problems with communications amongst us." Yeah. No fuckin' kidding. 

It is also no surprise that neighborhood residents are questioning their local authorities on the gravity given to these investigations. But change could be on the horizon. According to a Press Release, last Thursday, commanding officers from 72nd and 78th precincts met with Councilman Brad Lander and members of safety community groups Safe Slope and Hollaback! to address issues of "increased sensitivity surrounding sexual assaults in South Brooklyn." The was a result of an open letter from Safe Slope and a petition on the site Change.org signed by 5,000 residents of the affected areas.

Deputy Inspector Raul Pintos and John Argenziano presented a summary of what came from the meeting, including the following:

it is entirely inappropriate for officers to imply that women, because of how they are dressed, bear responsibility for being attacked, and have reinforced this to their officers. 

That's definitely a step in the right direction. Also, below are the steps the two precincts promise to take in response the open discussion:

Effective immediately, police officers will provide a “trigger warning” to community residents before showing them a graphic assault video (being shown in an effort to identify the attackers). By giving the individuals the ability to opt out, the NYPD is acknowledging the sensitive nature of viewing attack footage, especially for victims of sexual assault or others who may be triggered by watching violent actions on film.

Effective immediately, police officers will make women aware that they are being escorted home by the police before starting to follow them. This will help avoid confusion and fear that the individual following them home may be a potential attacker.

Concerned community groups, including Safe Slope and Hollaback!, will draft an updated safety pamphlet for NYPD consideration, which will include community resources and helpful tips on what community members can do to help keep themselves and others safe from sexual assault. The purpose of the updated pamphlet is to provide officers with sensitive and consistent educational messages to share with the public. Inspector Pintos will present the pamphlet through channels to NYPD leadership with the authority to approve materials for public distribution. If approved by NYPD leadership, this pamphlet will be made available to the public in both English and Spanish.

Lastly, the NYPD will similarly review a proposal from Safe Slope to do sensitivity training at the police orientation, as well as to show an educational video to existing officers prior to their shifts. The purpose of the video is to provide officers with simple strategies to make their interactions with the community more sensitive and educational regarding sexual assault.

The organizers of Safe Slope said they were grateful for the two precincts to meet with them, and that the group in cooperation of other community organizations will be coming together to draft a safety pamphlet.