NYC crime surge thanks to riots, police reform: retired NYPD detective

New York City has deteriorated into a lawless state of crime thanks to recent “riots,” budget cuts and police reform, a retired NYPD detective said — challenging Mayor Bill de Blasio’s frequent explanation that COVID-19 is to blame.

Pat Brosnan, the CEO and co-founder of national security and intelligence firm Brosnan Risk Consultants, said the coronavirus pandemic is only part of the problem plaguing the Big Apple.

“It’s a convenient narrative to lay the blame on the doorstep of COVID. Granted, COVID is a contributing factor, there is no doubt about it,” he told Fox News on Monday.

“But, riots for fun and profit, a desecrated police department in both morale and operationally, and a completely destructive and destructed rule of law relative to the adherence to it are the main drivers here — they’re the catalysts. COVID is just a first cousin that was a cause and effect.”