PBA Backs Meng In Congressional Race

By ROSS BARKAN

Grace Meng speaks at One Police Plaza in Manhattan on Monday, accepting the PBA’s endorsement.

Assemblywoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing) was endorsed on Monday by the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, countering claims made by her Republican opponent that she does not support the NYPD.

  The endorsement, made at One Police Plaza in Manhattan, came several months after Councilman Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) posted a video during the Congressional primary criticizing Meng for telling television journalist Diana Williams that she would have voted for a bill that blocked federal funds for any law enforcement agency that the Dept. of Justice found to be engaging in religious or racial profiling.

  Halloran has since wielded Meng’s support of the bill as a way to show she does not support law enforcement agencies. Though Halloran was once a police officer, the PBA chose to endorse Meng, who is favored to win the heavily-Democratic 6th Congressional District. The election is Nov. 6.

  “Grace Meng understands how important safe streets are to keeping neighborhoods vibrant and our city’s economy strong,” said PBA President Patrick Lynch. “She will be a strong fighter in Washington to make sure we have all the federal resources we need to keep our city safe from threats originating both at home and abroad.”

  Halloran spokesman Steve Stites did not respond to a request for comment.

  The PBA represents more than 50,000 active and retired police officers. Eastern Queens neighborhoods like Bayside, which lies in the district, are known as places where police officers live in relatively high numbers. The National Troopers Coalition, the New York State Troopers PBA, the Asian Jade Society, the Korean American Officer’s Association and the Filipino American Law Enforcement Organization have all endorsed Meng as well.

  “As an elected official, nothing is more important to me than the safety of our communities,” Meng said. “I will continue to work tirelessly on behalf of them and their families to ensure that they have the support they need and deserve to protect and serve us all every day.”

  Reach Reporter Ross Barkan at rbarkan@queenstribune.com or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 127.