NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- The NYPD is preparing for the possibility that the upcoming presidential election could spark protests, but the city expects those demonstrations to be peaceful, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Tuesday.
At a news briefing Tuesday morning, a reporter asked the mayor whether city officials and NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea had discussed "the potential for widespread unrest and violence" tied to the election results.
"Given that such a scenario might involve millions of New Yorkers taking to the streets, and given that the NYPD's union has endorsed the president, we need to know the extent to which you, the governor, the police commissioner and others have really gamed out the various scenarios to deal with the potential for widespread unrest and violence, and the possibility that the police force has conflicted members," the reporter said.
De Blasio responded, saying the subject was something he and Shea "have talked about."
"And that kind of work to prepare is happening right now in the NYPD and at City Hall, and we are going to have a very clear approach," he said. "Because I'm not going to be surprised if there is a prolonged count, recount, whatever it may be in this election, and extremely strong views, and a lot of people out there expressing themselves."
"And we have to protect the right to protest, and, you know, we expect, and should be ready for a lot of peaceful protest, and obviously wouldn't have to deal with it if anyone attempts violence, and we have to stop that violence," he added.
The Police Benevolent Association, which endorsed President Donald Trump in the upcoming election, does not reflect "the whole NYPD," de Blasio maintained.
"The PBA leadership does not speak for the men and women of the NYPD," he said. "I would tell you, having gotten a real good sense of the members of this police force, they hold a broad, broad range of views."
The NYPD's job, de Blasio added, is "to make sure that all of that is handled peacefully and honored."
"Unquestionably, they're up to that job, and they believe in that job, and my job is to make sure that happens, and then if any individuals do the wrong thing, there has to be consequences for them," he said.
At a separate NYPD news conference on Tuesday, Chief of Department Terence Monahan said the department would ramp up patrols at polling sites throughout the city, as it is "no secret that this election is more contentious than in years past."
The NYPD, however, has "no known threats of disruptions, and we do not expect any during the course of the next few weeks," he said.
