Dear Fellow Sergeant,

A tragedy of enormous proportions was narrowly averted on August 1 when Sgts. Carl Johnson of the 5 Precinct and Christopher Leap of the 7 Precinct were shot and wounded while apprehending a 22-year-old gang member who had just robbed numerous players at a Chinatown mahjong parlor in Lower Manhattan.

Thankfully, both Sergeants were treated for their wounds at Bellevue Hospital and will recover from their injuries. We cannot commend these two SBA members enough for their quick, decisive, and gallant actions.

They responded to a call for a robbery in progress, observed the suspect on the street, and gave chase. During the fierce struggle to subdue him, they were shot by his .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol.

While sitting in a holding cell, the suspect was photographed giving two middle fingers to the cameras. This egregious action is emblematic of who he is as a person, as well as a sad commentary on what has become of our great city in recent years.

Criminals have become increasingly emboldened to the point of having no fear of consequences for their illegal actions, regardless of how predatory or violent they are.

It is heartbreaking what has occurred in New York, which just a few short years ago was touted as the largest and safest city in the United States. We are now experiencing a complete breakdown of social norms as many of our elected officials insist on an ideological rather than pragmatic approach to governance.

This has resulted in an insurgent sense of widespread lawlessness that intensifies by the day. How these elected officials justify their laissez-faire approach to social policy and public safety is anyone’s guess.

Driven by their own abstract ideals, they have destroyed the fabric of our once vibrant city, which set a worldwide example for renewal and rebirth after the apocalyptic despair of the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Thankfully, Sgts. Johnson and Leap escaped serious injuries and should fully recover from their injuries. As the finest frontline supervisors in the world, we will continue to perform our duties in exemplary fashion. We owe it to ourselves and the public that we serve. Let’s hope that our elected officials come to their senses and approach their jobs with the same dedication and commitment that we do. The time for their action has never been more right.

Fraternally,

Vincent J. Vallelong
President
Sergeants Benevolent Association