Mayor Scott Strauss called on state lawmakers for change Wednesday night at the Mineola Board of Trustees meeting following the burial of NYPD Officer Wilbert Mora, who was killed in Harlem in the line of duty alongside his partner, Jason Rivera, weeks ago.
Strauss said in his 11 years serving Mineola, he has rarely brought anything up that didn’t have to do with the village before reading a prepared statement.
“This morning, the NYPD buried another police officer who was killed in the line of duty,” Strauss said. “Six police officers have been shot in the last few weeks. How many more will be shot before our state lawmakers realize they need to change things? How many more innocent people, people like you and me who for whatever reason take a chance and go into the city only to be robbed, assaulted, pushed in front of a train or was slashed before our state lawmakers realize they need to change things? When will our state senators do what is right and change the laws to protect us, not the criminals? When will our state lawmakers stand up against crime and support our police officers?”
Strauss continued his statement, emphasizing the role of government.
“It’s written in our Declaration of Independence. It is our constitutional right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” Strauss said. “Governments were created to protect those rights. When are you, our state lawmakers, going to uphold your constitution and protect us? There are many more people than not on the right side of the law. You should join them. Thank you.”
Strauss previously served as a detective with the Emergency Service Unit for the NYPD, where he earned the Medal of Honor, the department’s highest award, for his heroic efforts during the Sept. 11 attacks.
Deputy Mayor Paul Pereira reiterated the comments on behalf of the board, saying it could not be said any better.
“It does have everything to do with Mineola because it has everything to do with all of us,” Pereira said. “We on this board stand with our police officers and security personnel who protect us.”
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
