New York, US: NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell Tisch delivered a blistering rebuke over the presence of National Guard troops on city streets, calling the move “revolting” and warning it risks eroding public trust in local law enforcement.
Commissioner’s Sharp Rebuke
Speaking at a press briefing Monday morning at Police Headquarters in Lower Manhattan, Commissioner Tisch said she was “deeply troubled” by images of armed Guardsmen patrolling subway stations and major intersections. She argued that large-scale deployment of military troops in New York undermines civilian policing and projects an image of a city under siege rather than one under protection.
“I will be very clear,” Tisch said. “I am revolted by the idea that our neighborhoods, our avenues, and our transit systems should be guarded by soldiers in camouflage. This is not what policing in America is meant to look like.”
Federal-State Tensions Rising
The controversy comes amid growing frustration between New York officials and federal authorities, who ordered a temporary National Guard deployment in several major cities, citing concerns about heightened security threats. While the move was billed as a precautionary measure to reassure the public, Tisch insists its impact does the opposite.
“The role of the police is to maintain safety while building trust. The role of the military is to defend against enemies. To confuse the two responsibilities creates fear, not reassurance,” the commissioner added.
Impact on Daily Life
New Yorkers awoke to an unusual sight this week: squads of National Guard personnel stationed inside Grand Central Terminal, Penn Station, and at key entry points throughout the city. While some commuters expressed appreciation for the added presence, others voiced unease about uniformed soldiers carrying rifles in civilian areas…