NJ State PBA President Pat Colligan With Regard To Recent Mass Shootings

“The men and women in policing have endured a year like no other before. One year ago, the death of George Floyd in Minnesota sparked civil unrest statewide like we have not seen in decades. Fast forward one year later, and the shootings and deaths of so many in the state over one weekend draw no protests, marches, or few political statements for change. This weekend alone at least 38 people have been shot and six have died in New Jersey. I cannot remember ever having two mass shootings in our state in one day, but the outcry from activists and politicians are absent. For every life lost or person wounded this weekend there were police officers rushing towards the gunfire to save lives. Those men and women ran towards the danger because they took an oath to serve their community. They do not need praise every day, but the silence of the danger they face and the rising violence around our state and country is sickening.

“Over 20,000 lives have been lost in the past year in the United States to violence. It is not a coincidence that the rise in violence mirrors the timing of anti-police rhetoric. Few politicians speak about the rising violence even in their own communities. This weekend’s violence took place all around our state in Fairfield Township, Paterson, Bridgewater, Perth Amboy, Camden, Newark, and Jersey City. The lives lost represented fathers, mothers, sons and daughters and their families will never be the same.

“Much of this violence comes on the heels of arguments to defund the police which has proven to be a disaster. From Los Angeles to Minneapolis, cities that initially embraced the idea have reversed course in the face of mounting violence. We need to stop the anti-police rhetoric that undermines effective policing. We need elected leaders to speak up about the importance of policing in their communities and speak out against the violence.

“Too many of the vocal critics last year are absent this year. We need community-police partnerships to address the underlying issues to stop the violence. We want to work with people who want to make change, not create Facebook and Twitter moments. I am sounding the alarm on where we are headed so we can correct the course before it is too late.”