Puzzling no-shows at Ryder rally

Doesn't it seem like politics has turned topsy-turvy lately? No rhyme nor reason these days.

Take the rally to support Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder yesterday outside the county legislative building in Mineola.

It was organized by community groups, not political parties or the police unions. And it looked like there were more than 400 participants rather than the 200 cited by Newsday.

But who was there and who wasn't?

Traditionally, Republicans are staunch supporters of the police. Democrats also have backed police but their support has been less consistent.

Support definitely waned after black and brown activists rallied against Democratic lawmakers for voting in favor of a new superior officers contract and a police reform plan that, the protesters said, did not address minority community concerns. Only three Democrats -- who happen to be the only African-Americans on the 19-member legislature -- voted against the contract and reform plan.

Then the same community activists demanded that Ryder resign -- or that County Executive Laura Curran fire him --  because of comments he made in a Newsday story last month about broken families leading to a dearth of minority police recruits. Ryder apologized for the comments that activists said were offensive and racist.

If any elected Democratic county legislators  were at yesterday's rally,  they stayed hidden in the crowd. 

But that's not surprising.  No Democratic legislators, who are all running for re-election this November, showed up last month at an annual ceremony that honors county police officers killed in the line of duty since 1925.  Curran, however, attended that memorial and spoke.

Curran, a Democrat running for re-election this November,  did not attend yesterday's rally but issued a statement strongly supporting Ryder.

“I have full confidence in Commissioner Ryder’s leadership of the Police Department, and he will be staying in his position," Curran said.

Many of Nassau's Republican legislators -- but not all -- were at the rally That's to be expected. Most are running for re-election this year and seek police support.

Republican Hempstead Town supervisor Don Clavin, who is running for re-election this year, also attended. So did former Presiding Officer Norma Gonsalves, an East Meadow Republican, who retired two years ago.

But Curran's Republican opponent Bruce Blakeman, a Hempstead Town councilman, did not attend the rally.

What? Curran supports Ryder while Blakeman stays silent?

Yet Legis. Joshua Lafazan, of Woodbury, who is not registered in any party but caucuses and votes with the Democrats, posted his support for Ryder, along with a photo, on his Facebook page during the 6 p.m. rally.

Lafazan wrote: "Many in our district know that I enjoy a close personal relationship with our Police Commissioner, Patrick Ryder. Confirming Commissioner Ryder’s appointment was one of my first votes I ever cast as Legislator, and he quickly became an important mentor and guide for me as I took office."

Patrick Ryder and Josh Lafazan

"I’ve learned so much from our Commissioner, as a public servant, as a man, and as a citizen," Lafazan continued. "His acumen on community safety is formidable, his energy to meet all those in the county he serves is limitless, and he has not an ounce of malice in his heart.

"He’s also been exceptionally responsive to our district’s needs, and literally on a weekly basis I will text with him about an item that needs attention and action will be taken. I cannot join tonight’s rally as I’m still recovering from surgery, but I stand with our Commissioner and am grateful to call him Nassau’s top cop - we are a better and safer county because Patrick Ryder is our Commissioner."