The New York City Police Department is facing backlash over its extracurricular dance squad, with critics urging demanding officers to focus more on fighting crime and less on their dance moves.
Founded in 2022, the team was intended to be a place for officers to relax after their shifts. The dancers practice two to three times a week and perform at city schools, galas and other events.
President Autumn-Rain Martinez described dance rehearsals as “a place to release mental stress” during a recent appearance on PIX 11.
“We need to have space to decompress,” she explained.
The team’s very public promotion comes as New Yorkers express concerns about rising crime and tight resources amid the ongoing migrant crisis.
“This will scare the hell out of every criminal in New York,” said one X critic, sarcastically criticizing their recent performance.
Members of the New York City Police Department dance team appeared on a local television station Thursday
President Autumn-Rain Martinez (front) described the club as ‘a space to decompress’
However, the team soon faced criticism online as netizens urged them to spend more time fighting crime
While migrant-related crime is difficult to quantify, police data suggests there has not been an increase since April 2022, when Governor Greg Abbott began busing migrants to the Big Apple to protest the federal government’s border policies.
However, onlookers have been quick to spot the most extreme cases. In one of the most publicized incidents of the past month, three NYPD officers were assaulted in Times Square by a group of migrant men and left with minor injuries.
Five of the men were sent to Rikers Island on Friday after appearing in court.
In the aftermath of the attack, and amid mounting controversy, Governor Kathy Hochul claimed that authorities should “take them all and send them back.”
“You don’t touch our police officers, you don’t touch anyone,” she said at the time.
Assault on an officer is a federal crime and can be grounds for deportation.
In another virus case, a 15-year-old Venezuelan migrant opened fire in a sneaker store during an attempted shoplifting attempt.
He was arrested and charged as an adult after the bullet struck a Brazilian tourist and he continued to shoot at police while fleeing.
Mayor Eric Adams, himself a former police officer, was criticized for comments comparing the Big Apple to L.A.’s Skid Row, a homeless area plagued by sexual assault and drug-related crime
Three NYPD officers were attacked by a group of migrant men in Times Square last month and left with minor injuries
One of the teens allegedly involved in the attack was arrested after being released on bail, this time for taking part in a coordinated robbery of a Macy’s store in Queens.
The NYPD touted declines in several major crime indexes in January, including murder, rape, burglary and assault
However, statistics for other types of theft-related crime – robberies and grand larceny – have risen across the city in the past month
The NYPD touted declines in several major crime indexes in January. The number of murders fell by 25 percent; rape at 24.4 percent; burglary at 19.8 percent; grand theft auto at 3.8 percent; and assault at 1.5 percent.
Additionally, arrests for all major crimes citywide increased 5.7 percent year-over-year in January.
But statistics for other types of theft-related crime showed an increase, with robberies rising by 5.4 percent, while grand thefts increased by 0.4 percent last month.
The department attributes the increase to “organized pickpocket teams” and so-called “lush workers” who target drunk or sleeping victims on the subway.
Mayor Eric Adams, himself a former police officer, drew criticism for comments comparing the Big Apple to L.A.’s Skid Row, one of the most condensed homeless populations in the country — and an area plagued by sexual assault and drug crimes.
During a discussion about year-end crime statistics at NYPD headquarters last month, Adams waved photos of the embattled area and said, “You don’t see this in New York.”
The police’s promotion of the dance crew sparked heated criticism online, with people across the country demanding they focus more on the fight against crime.
“This will scare the hell out of every criminal in New York,” one user on X, formerly Twitter, commented.
“Well, now we know why all the criminals in New York can avoid arrest,” another commented.
The NYPD’s very public promotion of the dance crew drew heated criticism from X, former Twitter users
One Internet user commented: ‘We now know why all criminals in New York can avoid arrest’
New Yorkers themselves were quick to condemn the police
“I can’t wait for them to get there and lighten the mood during a brutal murder case,” one local resident joked
New Yorkers themselves had plenty to add to the conversation. “Instead of stopping crime, why don’t you watch us do the Macarena!” wrote one Brooklyn resident.
“I can’t wait for them to arrive on the scene and lighten the mood during a brutal murder trial,” one Jets fan snapped.
The officers themselves are well aware of the disapproval. “I just answer 911 calls all day, all day, all day until it’s time to go home,” team vice president Lauren Pagan said.
‘Music is great. And if I can sit here and just listen, even if it’s the same song over and over again, it’s a nice place to be. Everyone here loves to dance. They love being here.”
Martinez said the club is designed to give officers a place to “express themselves creatively.”
“We have a dance team because mental health takes a toll on this job,” she explained.