Mayor: No Politics, Protests Until Slain NYPD Officers Laid To Rest
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Mayor Bill de Blasio is calling on New Yorkers to focus on the families of two slain NYPD officers in the coming days as tensions continue to run high between the mayor and police.
Speaking Monday at the Police Athletic League luncheon, de Blasio said it's time to put aside political debates and protests until officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu are laid to rest.
"Let's accompany these families on their difficult journeys. Let's see them through the funerals. Then, debate can begin again," he said. "I think it's a time for everyone to put aside political debates, put aside protests, put aside all of the things that we will talk about in all due time."
WATCH: De Blasio Speaks At Police Athletic League Luncheon
Police said Ramos and Liu were attacked and killed Saturday in Brooklyn by 28-year-old Ismaaiyl Brinsley in what authorities have called an assassination.
Brinsley, who is believed to have acted alone, then killed himself after running into a subway station. Prior to the shooting, Brinsley wrote in an Instagram post that he would put "wings on pigs.''
Mayor: No Politics, Protests Until Slain NYPD Officers Laid To Rest
Police have determined there is a 2 hour and 30 minute gap in their timeline of Brinsley's actions Saturday and are asking anyone with information to contact police. He is believed to have been in the Fort Greene or Bed-Stuy area.
The shooter was wearing a distinctive jacket with an Indians logo on it, police said, which could help people possibly identify Brinsley's movements around the city.
Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said at a Monday afternoon news conference at 1 Police Plaza that since the incident, they have received a number of copycat threats, but none are believed to be significant, but are still being carefully investigated. The commissioner then urged anyone with information regarding threats and possible attacks against officers to come forward.
Mayor: No Politics, Protests Until Slain NYPD Officers Laid To Rest
De Blasio called it an attack on all police and said New Yorkers should take a moment to thank and console a police officer.
"I believe we'll transcend this, I believe we'll overcome this," de Blasio said.
Police also said they found Brinsley calling for a burning of the flag on Instagram as well as video from a Dec. 1 protest in Union Square, where he was a spectator, on his personal cell phone.
Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said Monday that those that knew Brinsley are coming forward, saying he was a "very troubled man," with anti-police and anti-government views.
The mayor, along with his wife, Chirlane, and Commissioner Bratton visited the families of Ramos and Liu earlier Monday morning.
It's unclear whether the visits to the officers' homes will stop the questions and the blame being placed on the mayor by many in the wake of the shootings, CBS2's Marcia Kramer reported.
When CBS2's Tony Aiello asked about ugly chants used at protests, the mayor condemned such language, but insisted the media is overstating its use.
"The few who want conflict attempt that and unfortunately so many times you guys enable that," the mayor said to Aiello.
Patrick Lynch, president of the Patrolman's Benevolent Association, said Saturday that there was "blood on many hands," adding "that blood on the hands starts at City Hall in the office of the mayor."
The Sergeants Benevolent Association also tweeted Saturday: "The blood of 2 executed police officers is on the hands of Mayor de Blasio. May God bless their families and may they rest in peace."
Police unions and de Blasio have been in a public battle following a Staten Island grand jury's decision not to indict an officer in the death of Eric Garner.
On Saturday, some officers turned their backs on de Blasio as he walked into the hospital following the officers' deaths. Commissioner Bratton said Monday that he didn't consider the move appropriate, "particularly in that setting."
"I don't support that particular activity," he said on NBC's "Today'' show. "I do think it's reflective of the anger of some of them."
De Blasio, Bratton Visit Homes Of Slain NYPD Officers
De Blasio's office eschewed Lynch's sentiments Saturday as divisive, saying "It's unfortunate that in a time of great tragedy, some would resort to irresponsible, overheated rhetoric that angers and divides people."
During an interview with 1010 WINS on Monday, SBA President Ed Mullins said he is not looking to engage in fighting with the mayor and the focus needs to be on the families of the two slain police officers.
"We have two police officers that lost their lives over the weekend," Mullins said. "The people of the city, I ask that they keep in mind and their thoughts and their prayers the families of those police officers and all the police officers that are working right now."
WEB EXTRA: 1010 WINS Interview With SBA President Ed Mullins
Mullins said this is a difficult time for the city and the police department and he has spoken with the governor to try to find a solution to resolve the tension.
"There needs to be ways to get this city back on track and build bridges back between the police," Mullins said. "We need to look to the people of New York to step forward and the silent majority needs to come out to support the police...The quiet majority has not said a word and if you see an officer in the street thank them, support them because in the end they may be the only difference between you going home safe at night and taking care of your family."
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, who visited a makeshift memorial for the officers Monday in Brooklyn, said he wants to see police union leaders and the mayor come together.
"The only way we can resolve this is for both groups to sit down and say, 'we are here together' and the mayor has made that clear," Adams told WCBS 880's Peter Haskell.
Brooklyn Borough President Visits Memorial
Former Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said it's a complex situation, particularly given the recent unrest in the city following the grand jury decision.
"Hopefully, cooler heads will prevail and the rhetoric will subside somewhat," he said.
But he said de Blaiso's rhetoric contributes to an anti-cop feeling in the city, Kramer reported.
"Quite frankly, the mayor ran an anti-police campaign last year when he ran for mayor," Kelly said.
De Blasio has argued that his police reforms of retraining, reducing stop and frisk and lessening penalties for marijuana possession will improve police-community relations.
Former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani is calling for calm, but did say the consequences of the Garner demonstrations raise questions for de Blasio.
"I don't think the mayor is responsible for this. I think that is an incorrect and incendiary charge," he said. "We've had New York City police officers attacked during some of those protests -- seriously attacked -- and the response, in my view, was not what it should be."
Gov. Andrew Cuomo was repeatedly asked Monday about Lynch's statements, but refused to criticize him.
Cuomo said there are people on both sides who are angry. He's also urging calm and calling for a cooling off period during the holidays.
"The feelings are very, very high," he said. "Pat Lynch reflects and represents the feelings of the police officers.
Bratton said there is, "a lot of moving currents" that have created the "current tension and atmosphere."
"There's a lot going on in the NYPD at the moment -- labor negotiations, some 10,000 of our officers are in a new pension system that limits significantly their benefits," he said. "There's a lot of anger about that, since we've had so many attacks on younger police officers this past year."
Meanwhile, a petition on MoveOn.org is calling for de Blasio's resignation. As of Monday morning, it had already gained more than 58,000 signatures.
Lynch has also suggested that officers sign a petition demanding de Blasio not attend their funerals if they die in the line of duty. Ramos' family said Sunday they would like the mayor to attend his funeral.
Check Out These Other Stories From CBSNewYork.com:
