Caught in the Crossfire In Crossroads of the World

A shooting in Times Square that left three bystanders injured, including a 4-year-old girl.

It is disheartening to read the front-page article “Times Square mayhem” (May 9).

But there should be no surprise here. We have one of the worst and most incompetent mayors, elected twice by the people of New York City.

This mayor supported defunding the police and has demoralized an entire police force.

Our policies seem to support criminals having easy access to guns.

As the Hosea 8:7 said: “For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind.” I hope our next mayor will be a good deal more competent and smarter.

Martin Garfinkle

Staten Island

Times Square is no longer safe. All of Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s work to clean up New York City is down the drain.

When a 4-year-old girl and two women get shot in broad daylight, you know it’s bad.

Mayor de Blasio and the Democrats have ruined a once-great city.

Tom Scott Spotswood, NJ

What a total disgrace it is that New York City has become an unstable, turbulent and crime-ridden location.

The once-secure, vibrant, adorned city has been transformed into a shooting gallery. The violent pandemonium that broke out in Times Square is reprehensible and indicative of a city submerged in ubiquitous depravity.

New York politicians and other proponents of reimagining and defunding the police as well as imposing bail reform have created unimaginable consequences — none more horrifically profound than a 4-yearold girl on a toy-seeking outing who was inconceivably shot and undoubtedly traumatized.

Denis David East Rockaway

De Blasio is a disgrace. I don’t understand how he can sleep at night. This once-great city is a horror show thanks to him.

I have a message to people who are thinking of visiting: Don’t come. It’s unsafe. Wait until de Blasio is out of office and things get cleaned up again.

I can only hope that the next person who becomes mayor really wants to do what’s right for the New Yorkers who are trying not to flee.

And to all the New Yorkers who are still here: Maybe you should put a little thought into who you vote for this time. Lance Lovejoy

Queens

Three more people shot, this time in Times Square. Another straphanger was recently shoved in front of a train. A 12-year-old boy was beaten, possibly on a dare, in school — and later died.

And the feckless Police Commissioner Dermot Shea says New York City is “still a safe city” but “we need help.” Why? If the city is safe, how do you need help, Mr. Commissioner?

Perhaps if you quit licking de Blasio’s boot, you’d see how far the city has fallen — under your watch, Shea. Quit whining and start policing. Stephen Valentini Bonita Springs, Fla.

De Blasio blamed the Times Square shooting on the flow of illegal guns.

Focus on the criminals. Bring back stop-and-frisk to get these illegal weapons away from the bad guys.

Every politician who voted to change the bail laws and support soft-oncrime justice reform: How do you sleep at night? Kathryn Donnelly

Queens

Well, it has come to this: Times Square, the Crossroads of the World, became a shooting gallery Saturday in broad daylight. Among the victims were a tourist from Rhode Island and a 4-year-old.

This continued mayhem in our city is the direct result of bail reform, defunding the police and the elimination of the plainclothes police unit that concentrated its efforts on getting guns off the streets.

These policies were instituted by the Democrats, and as long as the citizens of Gotham continue to vote for them, this mayhem will continue.

Kenneth Fitzgerald

Hicksville