Rethinking Policing: Sociology Professor Alex Vitale Joins NYC Mayor-elect's Transition Team
A sociology professor from Brooklyn College has been appointed to New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's transition team. Alex Vitale, the professor, is known for his book "The End of Policing," which argues for the abolition of traditional policing for certain activities like narcotics use, prostitution, and patrolling borders. Vitale also criticizes gang units, border policing, and implicit bias training for police officers, calling them racist and ineffective.
In his book, Vitale highlights the racial biases in gang units and border policing, describing them as mechanisms for racialized social control and xenophobic narratives. He argues that the entire system of policing is structurally racist and that training officers on implicit bias is insufficient without addressing the underlying issues in law enforcement.
Vitale, who has been writing about policing for 30 years, teaches courses on African Americans in the criminal justice system at Brooklyn College. He has been vocal about his calls to abolish various aspects of law enforcement, including bicycle police, police helicopters, and joint terrorism task forces. He has also advocated for the abolition of the NYPD gang database and other law enforcement agencies.
Mamdani's transition team has also included individuals with anti-police sentiments, such as campaign advisor Elle Bisgaard-Church, who proposed having social workers respond to non-violent 911 calls. The team's approach to community safety issues reflects a commitment to reimagining public safety and addressing systemic issues in law enforcement.
Overall, Vitale's work and advocacy for police abolition and reform contribute to the ongoing discussions about the role of policing in society and the need for alternative approaches to community safety.