NYPD Investigates New Year's Eve Death Threats Against Police
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The NYPD is investigating several threats to kill police officers on New Year's Eve.
A new batch of threats has been posted on social media warning the NYPD, WCBS 880's Monica Miller reported. Several alleged gang members are also using hashtags that include "#2deadcopseveryday" and "#wingsonpigs."
The threats come 11 days after NYPD Officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu were ambushed in their patrol car in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Before the deadly shootings, the gunman, Ismaaiyl Brinsley, who also killed himself, posted on Instagram: "I'm putting wings on pigs today. They take 1 of ours, let's take 2 of theirs." He cited the police-involved deaths of Eric Garner on Staten Island and Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.
Since the deaths of the officers, the NYPD has investigated or is investigating 70 threats against police, and 16 people have been arrested.
An NYPD spokesman told Miller police will remain vigilant and investigate the origins of all threats, as well as adjust security measures accordingly.
Other organizations, meanwhile, are calling for protests to disrupt the Times Square New Year's celebration.
NYPD Chief of Department James O'Neill said security in Times Square will be in tight.
"We're absolutely concerned about the security of everyone there, including the police officers," he said. "We will be patrolling the city by air, by sea, on the ground and in the subway system."
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