Assaults on New York City police officers have reached alarming levels in 2024, with a 41% spike in attacks compared to the same period last year and a staggering 60% increase since 2019, according to data obtained by The New York Post.
So far, 1,975 officers have been assaulted while on duty this year, up from 1,763 in 2023 and 1,253 in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ongoing rise in violence against police officers has persisted for five consecutive years, leaving many within the NYPD deeply concerned about what they see as a growing disrespect for law enforcement and a perceived leniency in the criminal justice system.
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Officers believe that criminals no longer fear consequences for attacking cops, fueling a sense of lawlessness in the city.
“Years ago, you had to be really crazy to fight cops,” said a veteran NYPD officer who requested anonymity. “Now it’s open season for everyone—the protesters, the migrants, even the regular career criminals.”
The officer explained that criminals feel emboldened, knowing they may face little to no punishment for assaulting a police officer. “Everyone knows that they can attack cops and violently resist and get out the same day. And if they don’t get out, some activist group will show up and pay their bail. The whole city is upside down,” the officer said.
Patrick Hendry, president of the Police Benevolent Association (PBA), echoed the sentiment, noting that criminals believe they can assault officers without facing serious repercussions. “They think they can take a swing at a cop and get away with it because they believe the justice system is on their side,” Hendry said.
While Hendry acknowledged that there has been some progress in the courts, he emphasized the need for quicker and more decisive action. “We’re starting to see a change when we turn out for these cases in court, but the consequences for attacking police officers need to come much faster so that the message trickles down to the streets,” he said.
NYPD Chief of Crime Control Strategies Michael LiPetri confirmed that the surge in assaults on officers is contributing to a broader increase in overall violence in the city.
Assaults across New York City are up 5% in 2024, with 22,806 reported so far this year, compared to 21,712 at this time in 2023.
“Police officers in New York City are more engaged than they ever have been,” LiPetri said. “They’re engaging with individuals that quite frankly should not be walking around the streets of New York City. They’re dangerous and they’re assaulting New York City police officers.”
One of the most high-profile attacks occurred on August 1, when Police Officer Mary Fay was injured while trying to break up a fight between a man and a group of children in the Bronx.
The incident, which was caught on camera, showed repeat offender Ernst Delma, 41, allegedly striking Officer Fay before being tackled by other officers.
Following the incident, a longtime Bronx officer called for tougher penalties for anyone who assaults a police officer. “I think anybody that assaults a police officer should do a minimum of a year in jail,” the officer said.
Reflecting on the current state of law enforcement, the officer added, “We are the last line of defense. Even if I wasn’t a cop, I would feel the same way. Like your parents always taught you, never be disrespectful to the cops. These people just don’t care.”
As assaults on NYPD officers continue to rise, many within the force are urging for stronger measures to protect those who protect the city.
The call for harsher penalties for those who attack law enforcement officers is growing louder, with hopes that a tougher stance will restore order and respect on the streets of New York.
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