To Emille's point, back in the 50's & 60's in Brooklyn, the local cops were often part of the looting squads. My dad had a grocery, and it would get broken in and looted now and again. After the criminals got done, Cops would show up and carry off the hams and salamis when the reports were done.
The new breed of NYPD are very different but at the direction of His Excellency the Mayor, they stood by as organized crime gangs and anarchist/social justice "warrior" types had pallets of bricks pre-placed around New York and ready for the chaos. Eli Kurland had the very best stuff on display. He had 2 (count 'em, two) 35-70/2,8 R zooms on display this past summer. All sorts of rare stuff. Hollywood-types as well as some of the best known photographers of our time were regulars. They'd show some of their best works at Eli's get-togethers. Craig, his right-hand man, is the best. No bit of kit, new or old, major or minor is beyond his immediate recall.
Disguting, inexcusable and repulsive.
A whole neighborhood laid waste, thousands of jobs now lost and the Authorities, if Alcalde "Bill" dumBlazio can be reckoned as one, could give a damn. Hs own daughter was arrested during the 2nd night of rioting. She was released immediately after being booked (they outlawed bail in NY!) and returned home to Gracie Mansion, protected by the very same well-armed police she was tossing detritus at hours before.
