Critics, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have targeted the New York City Police Department’s (NYPD) dance team, raising concerns not about crime but about so-called resource allocation. Ocasio-Cortez questioned the prioritization, stating, “How many school music programs got defunded for this,” echoing her support for the broadly unpopular defund the police movement.
The NYPD’s dance team’s performance for PIX 11 news prompted condemnation from both sides, with critics arguing it diverted attention from crime fighting. Nicole Parker, a former FBI agent, emphasized, “At a time when violent crime is off the roof… this is not appropriate.”
Meet the NYPD’s Dance Team. 💃🪩
Throughout 2023, New York saw a 3% increase in assaults, 15.0% increase in grand larceny and stabbings up by over 5%, from 4318 in 2022 to 4553 in 2023.
Will dancing help tackle rising crime? 🚨🚔
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) February 19, 2024
Responding to Ocasio-Cortez’s critique, some users redirected focus to other issues, such as immigration. One user questioned the allocation of resources amid the “migrant invasion,” while another highlighted the opportunity cost: “How many school music programs could we fund if we got rid of useless, harmful politicians like you?” Another user hinted at perceived hypocrisy in Ocasio-Cortez’s stance on law enforcement, asking if the dance team was more aligned with her preferences.
Ocasio-Cortez’s criticism isn’t new; she previously scrutinized Mayor Eric Adams for increasing police salaries, asserting that resources were being diverted from essential public services. She highlighted disparities in pay between officers and educators, calling for reallocating funds to areas like education and community programs, and importantly, away from the police that keep people safe.
The NYPD’s dance team performance coincides with escalating concerns over crime, particularly amid an influx of illegal immigrants. Incidents like the attack on two NYPD officers by a gang of illegals in Times Square and a shooting allegedly involving a teenage migrant underscore the massive challenges faced by law enforcement and why now more than any other time would not be ideal to defund an already struggling police force.
January saw increases in robbery and grand larceny, alongside notable crimes in the subway system. While some crime categories experienced declines, recent trends suggest ongoing challenges for law enforcement under Democratic Mayor Eric Adams.
