(From l-r) Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams, Vibert and Dulcina Jeune, Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte, Council Member Farah N. Louis, and Sanford Rubenstein, Esq.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Kristia Winter
718-629-2900 / KWinter@council.nyc.gov

BROOKLYN, NY – New York City Council Member Farah N. Louis issued the following statement calling on the NYPD to fast-track Crisis Intervention Training, increase accountability and transparency regarding 911 calls involving emotionally-disturbed persons (EDP) following the 2017 death of Dwayne Jeune in East Flatbush.

STATEMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER FARAH N. LOUIS

On Thursday, the Kings County District Attorney’s office decided not to charge Officer Miguel Gonzalez who was one of four police officers that responded to a 911 call by a distraught mom seeking assistance for her son. Gonzalez, who was not trained to respond to EDP calls, shot and killed 32-year-old Dwayne Jeune after police tasers failed to defuse Jeune when he allegedly lunged at officers with a bread knife.

“Another mother without a son, another family without answers, more loved ones without justice. The intersect of mental health, citizen-police encounters, and police-involved shootings is an all too frequent occurrence in communities of color. From Eleanor Bumpurs to Dwayne Jeune, we have called for justice, more police training, task forces, oversight hearings, and recommendations but nothing has changed. The NYPD must adapt its protocols and practices to protect not just the communities that they serve but also the people with mental health illness who are also in need of assistance. We need greater transparency and accountability from the NYPD,” said Council Member Farah Louis.

New York City Council Member Farah N. Louis represents the 45th Council District which is comprised of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Marine Park, Flatlands, & Kensington in Brooklyn, NY. She is a member of the committees on Civil Service and Labor; Economic Development; Education; Finance; Housing and Buildings; Committee on Youth Services; and Justice System. Council Member Louis is also a proud member of the Women’s Caucus as well as the Black, Latino/a, and Asian Caucus.

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