NEW YORK — Raven Dennis III's latest red velvet creation is specially made for the men and women in blue of the 32nd precinct located right up the street from his bakery, Cake Man Raven.
“It's representative of the block to let them know that we stand with them during this time of sorrow,” Dennis III said.
The fatal attack on officers Jason Rivera and Wilbert Mora who were responding to a domestic dispute call inside an apartment building just a block away from their precinct has many in the community on edge.
Iesha Sekou works on the ground in the community with the nonprofit group Street Corner Resources and says she’s received countless calls from residents that are not only concerned but demanding answers.
“A high capacity weapon was used and another found under the mattress - that’s a problem,” said Sekou. “I challenge the governor and the mayor to use this as the driving force to make real change."
Mayor Eric Adams says in the past few weeks the city has seen an increase in gun violence. He calls it a public health crisis and on Monday laid out his blueprint to end gun violence which includes cracking down on illegal guns trafficked into the city, and proactive measures like finding jobs for youth and better services for the mentally ill.
“Public safety is my administrations highest priority which is why we will remove guns from our streets,” said Adams during a press conference last Monday.
In Harlem, the American flag is flying half staff at the 28th precinct and memorials continued to grow right outside the 32nd precinct with flowers, candles and hand written notes for the fallen officers.'
“This is a 'lil something to let them know that we love them cause we all in this together. We just want to live and get home that’s all,” said Robinson, a life long Harlem resident on her way to lay flowers at the officer’s memorial.
Signs of community support can be seen almost daily since the deadly attack.
“We’re just here to help out as much as we can and give out some free food to the officers,” said John Bedoya, owner of Latino Bites, while giving out burgers to officers.
On the backdrop of the officers’ death and the increased gun violence in the city, community members admit to a frayed relationship that still exists between officers and the community they serve.
“Talking about public safety and it also includes relationships with the police in our community and there have been complaints in the past,” admitted Sekou.
“Back in the day we used to run to the cops be glad to see them in the neighborhood but now the level of respect is so changed,” said Dennis III, after delivering his a large tray of red velvet cupcakes to the 32nd precinct.
He and others in the neighborhood are hoping these small gestures of gratitude can go beyond these losses and creat change for everyone.