Mayor de Blasio, in his first press conference since his NYPD detail was caught breaking traffic laws, insisted he was “committed” to street safety — but refused to discuss why his security team blew stop signs and drove above the speed limit.
De Blasio wouldn’t take any questions on the controversy, instead reading a short statement to
reporters gathered in the City Hall Blue Room
for an update on the deal to keep
from closing.
“I know people have asked some questions since the media reports related to my security detail so, a very very simple statement,” said de Blasio, who’d just taken dozens of questions about the LICH deal.
“Many of you probably saw
Commissioner’s Bratton’s comments earlier
… so I’ll just refer to those. I have great respect for
security training and protocols. I’m committed, obviously, to traffic safety and safe streets in NYC. That’s why we put forward
. Commissioner Bratton addressed the topic of my security detail earlier today. I’m very comfortable with what Commissioner Bratton said and I refer you to his comments.”
With that, he exited the room, his hand on Public Advocate Letitia James’ back and a small smile on his face, ignoring the loud shouts in the room from reporters.
Members of the press followed him, yelling questions, into the hall, but he refused to stop.
Earlier, Bratton said the cops driving de Blasio’s two-car convoy were following NYPD security protocol by driving at the speed of traffic. It’s unclear why they felt the need to blow through two stop signs.
De Blasio had just left a Queens photo op, and was headed back to City Hall.
Cameras from CBS 2 caught de Blasio’s crew speeding
.
The report came two days after he announced his comprehensive Vision Zero plan, which aims to reduce traffic deaths with a slew of measures — including lowering speed limits.