Gang members targeting law enforcement, such as the July 13 killing of a Jersey City, N.J., police officer, has become a common threat for uniformed officers, former NYPD Detective Wally Zeins tells
Newsmax TV.
"You know, the name of the game is there's an upmanship amongst gangs, especially with social media today," Zeins said on "America’s Forum." "Gangs want to be able to be recognized and maybe in an initiation requirement that will say go kill a cop or go shoot somebody."
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Julie Rendelman, former deputy bureau chief at the Kings County, N.Y., District Attorney's Office, also appearing on "America's Forum," said it’s especially frustrating for prosecutors and police when violent offenders slip through the cracks as a result of plea deals, reluctant witnesses, or liberal judges.
In the case of
Lawrence Campbell, the 27-year-old gang member accused of fatally shooting rookie Officer Melvin Santiago, there was an open warrant for him in another murder case, Rendelman said.
Uniformed officers are at greatest risk, Zeins said.
"You have a certain area that you have to patrol and [gang members] know. They have their own counterintelligence. You have to be extra careful."
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