The Issue: The alleged vehicular assault on an NYPD officer on the Upper East Side last weekend.
Sahara Dula was arrested for running over a cop, who had been flagging her down for driving the wrong way on Park Avenue (“Cop ram, gal’s blue streak,” Jan. 20).
After allegedly running him down and breaking his leg, she was quoted saying she hoped it would make him not want to be a cop any more.
Ironically, Dula works as a youth mentor. She counsels kids to stay off drugs and away from gangs. She also holds a degree in criminal justice, has been arrested several times and is bipolar.
The icing on the cake: She was high on pot when she allegedly assaulted the cop.
Good to know who’s counseling the kids.
Judith Weizner
Bronxville
A driver under the influence intentionally hit a cop with her car. The injured officer was taken to a hospital. This should be considered attempted murder, plain and simple. The district attorney needs to send a clear message and pursue the maximum penalty.
But wait: This is New York City, with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg holding the reins. He has a lot of latitude when charging alleged criminals. Yet these days, the Manhattan DA’s office seems to advocate more for perpetrators of crimes, rather than the victims.
So much for public safety in the Big Rotten Apple.
John Fleming
Punta Gorda, Fla.
The alleged assailant was driving a Lexus, which most police officers can’t afford. She is a mentor of children and talks to them about not doing drugs and behaving well. Yet she is arrested for first-degree attempted assault and other charges, including operating a vehicle while impaired by drugs. She fully admitted to smoking marijuana before the incident occurred.
I don’t understand why the state legalized marijuana. This cannot be good for the public, although it’s likely a big moneymaker for the politicians. As if the NYPD doesn’t have enough on its plate already.
John Wilde
Massapequa Park
The outright depravity allegedly exhibited by Dula is only a byproduct of the anti-cop vitriol that now grips this city. The sentiment is entrenched in the City Council, but is also out on the streets.
Unfortunately, between the revolving-door justice system and the mainstream mantra of resisting authority, deplorable incidents like this will only keep coming.
Gary Kaelin
Commack
It goes without saying that anyone who deliberately drives into a police officer, or any other person for that matter, should have his driver’s license revoked.
The fact that pot-smoking Sahara Dula — who according to her lawyer has also been diagnosed as bipolar — receives mental-health treatment and takes “multiple” meds seals the deal.
It’s time for her to sell her car and start using public transit.
Charles Winokoor
Fall River, Mass.
The despicably brazen assault on a New York City police officer is a vile reminder of the police demonization that exists in our society.
When apprehended, the perpetrator verbally spewed her hatred for police officers by stating “f - - - the cops!” Her demeanor was reprehensible. The fact that she holds a degree in criminal justice is both ironic and abhorrent.
These acts of violence against police officers are facilitated by politicians. They foment disdain for police by structuring a criminal-justice system that coddles criminals and neglects law-abiding citizens.
Denis David
East Rockaway
Why was Dula not charged with attempted manslaughter?
Using a car as a weapon in order to harm someone is not so different from aiming a gun and firing it. She should be held to those same standards, and deserves to spend a long time behind bars.
Bragg’s office ought to be a bit more aggressive in this case. We owe that to New York’s finest.
Mitchell Schwefel
Barnegat, NJ
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