Fight continues over Curran's stand on defunding the police




Apparent staff member warns Nassau County Executive Laura Curran yesterday that her police defunding comment was "misheard."


Nassau County Executive Laura Curran's public statements about defunding the police have been so confusing that Republicans continue to accuse her of  "flip-flopping" on the controversial issue.

Since the death of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police three weeks ago, some protestors across the country have called for defunding police departments and using the money to pay for more social workers, health clinics and affordable housing as a way to combat criminal activity.


Newsday originally quoted Curran as declining to say whether she was for or against police defunding. After local Republicans criticized her lack of support for county police, Curran's spokesman quickly corrected the story to say the Democratic county executive was 100 percent against defunding law enforcement.

But then Curran was asked about defunding the police again yesterday at her daily briefing on the coronavirus.

"I am not absolutely opposed to defunding the police,”  Curran said.

What?

After that statement, an apparent staff member came over to Curran and whispered in her ear.

She then said, "Apparently I was misheard about defunding the police. My whole point is that I am not,  I am opposed to defunding the police.”

What?

When asked for clarification, Curran spokesman Mike Fricchione said yesterday via email, " She is against defunding the police. It's just an awkward phrase because usually questions are posed as either for or against funding something, not for or against defunding something."

Republican lawmakers today again blasted Curran for flip-flopping, posting a video clip of Curran's  initial statement on their  Facebook pages.

Legis. John Ferretti (R-Levittown) said, "Yesterday, in her latest flip-flop, County Executive Laura Curran says she is "not absolutely opposed" to defunding Nassau's police. I will fight any attempt to defund our police every single day I am in elective office."

Legis. Steve Rhoads (R-Bellmore) also posted the video of Curran's initial comment. " We are one of the safest large suburban counties in America BECAUSE of our police. While we will continue to strive to improve the way we protect our communities, our police and the residents who depend upon them deserve to know where they stand. I will fight any attempt to defund our police," Rhoads wrote.

Curran shot back almost immediately today.

"Enough with the lies," Curran posted on her Facebook page, directing the comments to Ferretti, Rhoads, Legis. James Kennedy (R-Massapeqa) and Legis. Laura Schaefer (R-Westbury). " I stumbled on a word and you conveniently cut out my clarification."

She added, "In case you missed it: I am 100% opposed to defunding the police."
#DoBetter
 

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