By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
The White House disagreed with FBI Director James Comey’s assertion that increased police scrutiny may have led to a rise in violent crimes in some cities, the New York Times reports.
“The evidence we have seen so far doesn’t support the contention that law enforcement officials are shirking their responsibilities,” the White House press secretary, Josh Earnest, said in response to a question about Mr. Comey at his daily briefing. “In fact, you hear law enforcement leaders across the country indicating that that’s not what’s taking place.”
On Friday, Comey said officers are more reluctant to address problems directly with people on the street because of fears that their actions would be caught on video.
Comey said law enforcement leaders told him this was the case.
“I spoke to officers privately in one big city precinct who described being surrounded by young people with mobile phone cameras held high, taunting them the moment they get out of their cars,” Mr. Comey said. “They told me, ‘We feel like we’re under siege and we don’t feel much like getting out of our cars.’ ”
