Defund-the-police NYC pol says constituents in high-crime area want more cops because they dont know better

A Defund the Police-pushing Bronx councilwoman who represents one of the most crime-ridden sections of NYC all but accused her constituents this week of being clueless for wanting more cops.“People in my community ask for more cops because they don’t know other solutions,” Councilwoman Althea Stevens told NYPD brass at Monday’s public safety committee hearing while defending legislation she’s sponsoring to eliminate the Police Department’s gang database.Stevens’ district mostly falls in the 44th Precinct, which includes the Grand Concourse, Yankee Stadium and parts of South Bronx.It had the fourth-most major felony crimes (3,223) last year in Gotham, with major crime surging 41% since 2019, records show.“It’s never a good look when an elected official downplays the intelligence of their constituents who are pleading for more police,” one councilmember told The Post.

“Our job is to listen to the people we represent, and eliminating the gang database while crime and gang activity are on the rise is pure insanity.”Stevens and members of the Council’s left-wing Progressive Caucus have long pushed for many non-police responses to crime, including using “violence interrupters” where civilians are trained to deescalate violence.She did not return messages.The councilwoman’s comments came after Council Minority Leader Joann Ariola (R-Queens) quipped the database bill is something out of “La La Land.”Stevens later insisted to the NYPD honchos: “I’m not your enemy.

I am about how we come together and think about solutions that benefit everyone and not just some.”The bill is vehemently opposed by NYPD brass and Mayor Eric Adams, who say it would make it more difficult for cops to nab violent criminals and prevent shootings.Only 24 council members as of Saturday had signed on, well short of the 34 needed for a veto-proof majority....