A solution for New York policemen water wars

How low have we stooped in America when its citizens defame those in uniform who serve and protect us by dousing them with water?

What is it saying about the city's government officials when they do virtually nothing in response to such an act of defamation?

As you likely know, viral videos of New York cops being plummeted by buckets of water from youth and young adults in the Big Apple proliferated on the internet. A few in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan even threw the buckets themselves, which bounced off the cops' heads and bodies.

In Brooklyn, two other officers were sprayed with a water hose, one of whom also received a full bucket of water on his head.

What justified these water wars of disrespect? Only that one policeman was making a routine traffic stop, and others were simply walking back to their patrol cars.

Fury erupted across the nation over the malevolent treatment of these public servants and soldiers in blue.

Police Department Chief Terence Monahan spoke for many when he described the bucket-drenchers as "reprehensible."

President Trump called the whole discriminatory and disparaging act "a total disgrace."

I agree with many national leaders defending the police who are saying that "anti-police rhetoric" from mainstream media and liberal politicians is fueling the fires of disrespect against law enforcement across the country.

Patrick Lynch, president of the NYC Police Benevolent Association, the largest labor union representing NYPD officers, explained to the Washington Post: "Our anti-cop lawmakers have gotten their wish: the NYPD is frozen. It's not the fault of these police officers. It's the end result of the torrent of bad policies and anti-police rhetoric that has been steaming out of City Hall and Albany for years now." He added: "We are approaching the point of no return."

Ed Mullins, president of the city's Sergeants Benevolent Association, blamed New York Mayor Bill de Blasio's failed policies. Mullins said the defaming acts posed a serious safety risk to the policemen, adding the buckets could have easily contained "bleach, gasoline, or some other toxic substance."

Of course assaults on police officers are not new or exclusive to New York.

In 2017, the last year on record, the FBI collected assault data from 12,198 law enforcement agencies that employed 596,604 officers. These officers provided service to more than 269.6 million people, or 82.8 percent of the nation's population.

Law enforcement agencies reported that 60,211 officers were assaulted while performing their duties in 2017. Let me repeat that number: 60,211 officers were assaulted in a single year. That's 1 in 10 officers across the nation.

Check out these further shocking assault statistics:

Regarding weapons used:

• Of the 60,211 officers who were assaulted, 76.8 percent of officers who were assaulted in the line of duty were attacked with personal weapons (e.g., hands, fists, or feet).
• 4.4 percent of the officers were assaulted with firearms.
• 1.8 percent of the officers were assaulted with knives or other cutting instruments.
• 17.0 percent of the officers were assaulted with other dangerous weapons.

Regarding sustained injuries:

• Of the 60,211 officers who were assaulted, 17,476 (29.0 percent) sustained injuries.
• 32.0 percent of the officers who were attacked with personal weapons (e.g., hands, fists, or feet) suffered injuries.
• 14.1 percent of the officers who were assaulted with knives or other cutting instruments were injured.
• 10.2 percent of officers who were attacked with firearms were injured.
• 22.0 percent of officers who were attacked with other dangerous weapons were injured.

Of course we must never forget – and won't – the dozens of policemen who give their lives in the line of duty (68 already in 2019! See them here.)

The above assaults are obviously much worse than buckets of water, but the root causes are all the same: disrespect, lack of gratitude and devaluing of authority, not to mention other societal ills run amuck.

I'm glad a few days ago three of the "water-bucket bandits" were arrested, and then a fourth on Friday, but increased arrests are not going to decrease police assaults if we don't learn to better value those who protect us and keep our country safe.

As Monahan, the New York police chief, spoke the sentiment for most law enforcement officials across the country: "NYC's cops & communities have made remarkable progress – together – but EVERY New Yorker MUST show respect for our cops. They deserve nothing less."

My wife Gena and I couldn't agree more with Chief Monahan. We are big supporters of our military and law enforcement, and that includes men and women in blue, border patrol and Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) police, among others. All protect us and deserve our utmost respect.

I'd like to propose as one solution for building more respect between law enforcement and our communities the wisdom and charity of our good friend, Toni Brinker. She has a heart as big as Texas, and has helped us – like so many others – with our KickStartKids foundation. Toni formed One Community (formerly called Operation Blue Shield), whose mission and goal is to restore community and bring unity in America. Their motto is: "We're All In."

One Community began in the wake of the 2012 Trayvon Martin shooting in Sanford, Florida, and the 2014 riots in Ferguson, Missouri, when tensions between law enforcement and minorities escalated in U.S. cities. One Community creates, promotes and funds programs and events that bring citizens together with law enforcement, first responders and local government officials. Community-focused activities bring people together and get them talking to one another – and in the process, forming lasting, loving, mutually beneficial and respectful connections and even friendships.

Gena and I would like to encourage everyone to support and become familiar with One Community by going to their website, and then contact the amazing One Community personnel to see what they're doing in your city. Or better yet, donate, volunteer or promote their programs and events to help restore and better unify your community. In addition, check out Toni's Ted Talk, which is packed full of great insights and suggestions.

Martin Luther King Jr. was right – if only we'd all strive to live by his creed: "I have decided to stick to love. … Hate is too great a burden to bear."