Communications Workers of America (CWA) 1039 today expressed outrage over the use of a police escort by Newark City Council President Donald Payne Jr.’s campaign to campaign for Congress.
A You Tube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbOVWfGsMqM) posted just four days ago shows a Payne for Congress caravan escorted by multiple City of Newark police cars and motorcycles. The caravan, composed of 28 cars, SUVs, and large trucks, displays Payne for Congress campaign signs. They were escorted by two City of Newark police cars and three uniformed officers on police motorcycles.
“I am completely shocked at the use of a police escort for what clearly appears to be a campaign caravan,” stated Lionel Leach, president of CWA Local 1039. “Donald Payne Jr. is a close, personal friend and it is my sincere hope that he is not involved with this. Taxpayers provide police officers and police equipment for public safety in cities across New Jersey. They are there to serve and protect their community. This is most vital in a city such as Newark which has its share of shootings and violent crime. Residents rightly count on the police to be there for them, and not for politicians’ use in their campaigns.”
