New York City Archives

Man Swings Samurai Sword In New York City Apple Store, Gets Arrested

By Staff Report

A man was arrested Friday in New York City after he brandished and waved a samurai sword inside of a crowded Apple Store.

WABC in New York reports that the man was quickly subdued by two NYPD officers and that he was arrested for criminal possession of a weapon and menacing.

The 30-year-old man, whose name has not been released yet was taken to an area hospital.

WATCH: WABC report on the situation

Cover Photo Credit: Eva Peris/ Flickr (CC By 2.0)

New York Police Chief Apologizes To James Blake

By Contributor

By Allyn Farach

Retired tennis star James Blake claimed that he was tackled outside of a Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York this week by a plainclothes officer.

Blake told other media outlets that he was acting nonviolently but was met with violence from officers after a sting operation mistakenly took Blake as a suspect.

“You’d think they could say, ‘Hey, we want to talk to you. We are looking into something. I was just standing there. I wasn’t running. It’s not even close (to be okay). It’s blatantly unnecessary. You would think at some point they would get the memo that this isn’t okay, but it seems that there’s no stopping it,” Blake told the New York Daily News.

Blake further claims that he was released when a former officer recognized him and told the police who Blake was.

The situation has been embarrassing to the NYPD and its leadership.

“I spoke to Mr. Blake a short time ago and personally apologized for yesterday’s incident. Mr. Blake indicated he would be willing to meet with the Internal Affairs Bureau as our investigation continues,” NYPD Police Commissioner William J. Bratton said in a press release. “Additionally, he said he would be returning the Mayor’s earlier phone call to speak to him. Mr. Blake said he would like to meet with the Mayor and me at a future date, which we would be agreeable to.”

New York City mayor Bill DeBlasio has signaled his intention to talk to Blake about the matter.

It is unclear what role Blake’s arrest will have in the continued evolution of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Photo Credit: Josué Goge/Flickr (CC By 2.0)

Former NYC Police Chief Claims There’s A “Ferguson Effect” Hurting Police Work

By Staff Report

Earlier this morning on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” television program, former New York police chief Ray Kelly said that New York City was in danger of slipping back to a period of high crime and that police officers were scared of properly doing their jobs because of a “Ferguson effect”.

The comments came during a conversation with Kelly over Mayor Bill DeBlasio’s policies.

Joe Scarborough, a former republican Congressman and host of the show asked Kelly if he believed there to be a “Ferguson effect”, referencing the fallout from the killing of an unarmed black teenager in a St. Louis suburb.

“Absolutely,” Kelly said in response to Scarborough’s question. “Ironically of course, Daryl Wilson was totally exonerated by the Justice Department. We talk about Ferguson but a lot of people forget that fact.”

Kelly went on to explain his reasoning.

“The Ferguson effect is that police officers… are thinking twice before they engage. And with the advent of [body] cameras, which I ultimately support cameras are going to make officers hesitate somewhat. In some people’s minds that’s good, in some people’s minds that’s bad. But I think you’re experiencing now reluctance for police to do what they’ve done in the last 20 years. Crime is down dramatically in other parts of the country, I attribute it to smarter policing proactive policing. You’re seeing a backing off from that for a variety of reasons.

“I think everybody has to be concerned of that possibility,” Kelly said when asked if he feared if the city would slide back to a period of high crime associated with the late 1980’s. “Bill Bratton is a top flight professional but the mayor sets the tone.”

Kelly refused to slam the door on a possible mayoral run when asked by show host.

“I’m happy right now with what I’m doing,” Kelly said.

Cover Photo Credit: Vincent/Flickr (CC By 2.0)

Body Photo Credit: MarineCorps NewYork/ Flickr (CC By 2.0)