This archive report was first published on 7 July 2020.
July 4th weekend saw a disturbing surge in shootings in New York City, with 45 incidents occurring over the period, resulting in 11 deaths.
This marks a significant increase from the 16 shootings reported during the same period in 2019.
According to NYPD statistics, shootings soared by 130 percent in June compared to the same period last year.
Terence Monahan, the NYPD's highest-ranking uniformed officer, attributed the rise in shootings to 'tremendous animosity' shown towards officers following the recent Black Lives Matter protests, which he said had contributed to lower police morale.
Monahan also pointed to the early release of prisoners due to the coronavirus pandemic, which he claimed had put more violent offenders on the streets.
Additionally, Monahan denounced a new law that bars New York police officers from keeping a suspect on the ground by pressing on their chest.
The uptick in shootings is likely to fuel tensions between police departments and Democratic leaders making police cuts in major cities such as New York, Chicago, and Seattle.
President Donald Trump has attempted to capitalize on the police reforms, accusing Democratic mayors of New York and Chicago of protecting criminals in a recent tweet.
Despite being one of America's most violent cities in the past, New York has seen a steady decrease in crime since the 1990s.
