http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jan/8/nypd-on-alert-after-lug-nuts-loosened-on-departmen/print/NYPD on alert after lug nuts loosened on department vehicles: ‘Things have gotten so bad’
By Jessica Chasmar - The Washington Times - Thursday, January 8, 2015
New York City police have reportedly been instructed to inspect their personal and department vehicles before each use after multiple cars belonging to officers had the lug nuts loosened or removed in a possible sabotage.
Police investigated the issue Tuesday after an officer reported that the windshield wipers on his personal vehicle had been tampered with and all four tires had the lug nuts loosened, the New York Post reported.
A team of officers were sent to check other police vehicles in the area near Patrol Borough Brooklyn North Headquarters, finding that the lug nuts had also been loosened on the personal vehicle of an officer who parked in a "Police Only" zone, The Post reported.
Police also found that lug nuts had been loosened on two unmarked NYPD vehicles in a lot used by police supervisors, The Post reported.
"Things have gotten so bad between the police and the community," a law enforcement source told the Post. "I've never seen it this bad."
"They're doing this obviously in an attempt to hurt police officers," he said. "By loosening the lug nuts, the tires could fall off the car, and the cops could crash their car. … Is that what these people want? Somebody could die."
Officials sent out a citywide memo warning officers in all precincts to stay on the alert and inspect personal and department vehicles before each use, the Post said.
"Any person found in possession of any tools that would facilitate the removal of lug nuts should be detained for questioning," the memo reportedly read.
