NYC Police Watch Gibson Film for 'Hate'

NewsMax ^ | 3/2/04 | Limbacher

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Reports that cops from New York City's Hate Crimes unit were sent to see Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" to learn if it inspires hatred have a top Catholic civil rights leader demanding answers from NYPD officials as to what and who was behind the screwball assignment.

According to the New York Post, Hate Crimes Unit supervisor Inspector Dennis Blackman ordered the 20 detectives under his command to see the film after it opened last week.

A source told the Post that cops feared that someone who already held strong anti-Jewish views or was a religious zealot could be pushed over the edge by watching the film.

However the same sources reported that there had not been any increase in anti-Semitic bias crimes since the movie opened Wednesday.

The Post quoted one detective who had viewed the film as saying "It was beneficial to understand what all the hype was about."

After the Post raised questions about the official assignment of police officers to watch the movie while on duty, the NYPD asked the cops to see it on their own time, voluntarily, and not because they were ordered to attend screenings.

The story raised the hackles of Dr. William Donohue, President of the Catholic League.

In a blistering letter Donohue told NYPD Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly he wanted to know what provoked the ill-advised monitoring of a film by NYPD detectives.

Wrote Donohue "There is a story in the March 2 edition of the New York Post claiming that Hate Crimes Unit supervisor Dennis Blackman ordered 20 detectives to see 'The Passion of the Christ' when it opened last week; some watched the movie during working hours.

"Accordingly, I would like to know the answer to the following questions: a) Is it common practice for detectives of the NYPD to watch movies during working hours? b) What prompted the request? c) What criteria are used to assess whether this is a useful function for the police to provide? d) What is the purpose of such an exercise? e) What exactly would the police be empowered to do if they determined the film constituted hate speech?"

It should be noted that in New York City it is also now a minor crime for a business to harbor contraband ash trays in their establishments.

City snoops routinely swoop down in Gestapo like lightening raids in an effort to seek out and confiscate dangerous ash trays and fine their owners.

[Lemondropkid31]

I just got back from watching this film and there is nothing anti semetic whatsoever about it. It was an incredible movie and everyone should go see it.

[Clock King]

Sounds like it was just an excuse for unit to PARTY! on the department's dollar. I wonder if they met for beer and hot dogs before or after the movie.

[writer33]

"City snoops routinely swoop down in Gestapo like lightening raids in an effort to seek out and confiscate dangerous ash trays and fine their owners."

I thought conservatives were the only ones that conducted this kind of Naziesque behavior. :)

[djpg]

Have they checked out Mystic River in which a child molester and a murderer are wearing crosses conspicuously? And what about that new movie in which the Catholic Church supposedly protects Nazis. Have they checked them out for anti-Christian or anti-Catholic hate and applied the same standards as to the Passion.

Oh, I know. Those movies are different from the Passion.

[Mears]

Cops as movie reviewers? What next!!!

[ClancyJ]

Gee, you would think these people have never ever heard of Christ. Satan and evil are welcomed - yet they have to send the police to watch a movie on Christ to rule out hatred.

What in the world is next?

Why no such screenings for the Freddy movies?

[Rocko]

I wonder if they met for beer and hot dogs before or after the movie.

If their reaction is typical, they won't feel like eating soon afterwords...it's powerful stuff.

[Rocko]

Cops as movie reviewers? What next!!!

It might be an improvement -- some of the reviews I've seen are criminal.

[afz400]

"NYC Police Watch Gibson Film for 'Hate'"
Aren't the cops guilty of "profiling"? File suit against the police for violating Christian's civil liberties!

[T. Jefferson]

Sounds like it was just an excuse for unit to PARTY! on the department's dollar. I wonder if they met for beer and hot dogs before or after the movie.

In Dallas, undercover cops go to strip clubs and drop thousands of tax payers money, in hopes of arresting anyone who's having a good time.

[sheik yerbouty]

Has Fun City sent cops to look ar rap concerts and videos?

[sheik yerbouty]

Has Fun City sent cops to look ar rap concerts and videos?

[B4Ranch]

ping

[BSunday]

Cops as movie reviewers? What next!!!

I'm not sure, but I think we could get the answer from any elderly German people.

[mountaineer]

cops feared that someone who already held strong anti-Jewish views or was a religious zealot could be pushed over the edge by watching the film.

Wasn't the guy who killed John Lennon "pushed over the edge" by reading "Catcher in the Rye"? Would the NYPD ban books, too?

[Arpege92]

"Sounds like it was just an excuse for unit to PARTY!"

And you have proof of this right?

"I wonder if they met for beer and hot dogs before or after the movie."

I'm surprised you didn't say coffee and donuts.

[Arpege92]

"Wasn't the guy who killed John Lennon "pushed over the edge" by reading "Catcher in the Rye"?"

Alot of people have and yet the book is still out their for anyone to read....even the NYPD.

"Would the NYPD ban books, too?"

Apparently you aren't aware of the fact that the NYPD didn't ban "Catcher in the Rye". They don't ban movies either. We are talking about a special unit of the police department who went to see this movie....the anti hate crime unit. That means they are responsible for trying to cut down on hate crimes and if that means watching "Passions of Christ" or reading "Catcher in the Rye" then I see no problem with that all. If they banned this movie or book, then I'd feel differently about them, but they didn't.....so please cut down on the accusations.

[NYCVirago]

A source told the Post that cops feared that someone who already held strong anti-Jewish views or was a religious zealot could be pushed over the edge by watching the film. However the same sources reported that there had not been any increase in anti-Semitic bias crimes since the movie opened Wednesday.

Considering all the hysteria this movie has garnered, you'd think there'd be at least one fistfight or something!

[mountaineer]

I asked a question, I did not accuse. But what is the logical step after the "anti-hate crime unit" determines a movie, or a book, supposedly pushes people over the edge to commit crimes of violence, if not banning the "cause" of the so-called hate crime?