Law enforcement veteran Michael Letts explains what kind of a mess the city is in right now – and how it could get worse.
Earlier this week, Supreme Court Justice Ralph Porzio overturned the vaccine mandate New York put in place a couple of years ago, which led to the termination of 1,700 employees (including police officers) that refused to get it. However, in response, instead of the city doing anything to hire back said employees, they have chosen to appeal the decision.
A spokesman for the New York City Law Department said upon filing the appeal that the mandate was “firmly grounded in law and is critical to New Yorkers’ public health.” But many are questioning the mandate, especially how it was “relaxed” in favor of private businesses and select athletes and performers within the city.
“If you’re going to remove the vaccine mandate for certain people in the city, you need to remove it for everybody in the city,” FDNY-Uniformed Firefighters Association President Andrew Ansbro noted with the mandates. “If you’re going to follow the science, science is going to tell you there isn’t any danger right now, and putting hundreds of firefighters, police officers and other emergency workers out of work is not in the best interest of the city. It’s not safe.”
With Mayor Eric Adams and anyone within his administration unwilling to hire anyone that was terminated over the mandates – and no end in sight to its growing criminal activity – New York could find itself in real trouble over the next few months.
Speaking with us now about the appeal to the overturned mandate is Michael Letts, who has over 30 years of law enforcement to his credit. Michael currently serves as founder, president and CEO for InVest USA, an organization that provides bulletproof vests to police officers, through various charitable groups and sponsorships. His expertise should prove useful in this matter.
Q&A:
- Do you believe New York’s defiance to accept the overturned mandate shows a level of ignorance? Especially when it comes to not doing anything for the employees that were fired?
- This seems to be the latest move by the city to ignore a ruling by the Supreme Court, following the overturning of their pre-established gun laws a few months back. Why do you believe they want to do things their way?
- Do you think Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams should take a closer look at their actions and define if they’re actually doing any good for their citizens? Or do you believe they’ll even bother?
- What do you think will happen to New York in the months ahead with crime on the rise and not enough officers to meet demand?
- If you were in charge of making matters right for those public workers and police officers fired over the state by the vaccine mandate, how would you go about it?
- Tell us more about InVest USA, and how it’s helping police officers, especially in their time of need. We believe you’re interested in donating some vests to the police in Bristol, correct?
- Where can we learn more about In-Vest USA, and how people can contribute to the group?
You can visit the official website at http://www.investusa.org.
About Michael Letts:
Michael Letts is the Founder, President, and CEO of InVest USA, a national grassroots non-profit organization that is helping hundreds of communities provide thousands of bulletproof vests for their police forces through educational, public relations, sponsorship, and fundraising programs. He also has over 30 years of law enforcement experience under his belt, hence his pro-police stance for his brothers and sisters in blue. Those interested in learning more about Letts can visit his official website here.
CONTACT: Jerry McGlothlin at: jerry.specialguests@gmail.com or 919-437-0001.
