NEW YORK CITY, NY- The New York Police Department today is saying the poisoning of three of their police officers was accidental and not intentional after an investigation was conducted. Officers and the company revealed the bleach-based cleaner used to sanitize the machines in the restaurant was not cleaned properly at the time the officers ordered their shakes.
Shake Shack’s corporate office responded to the incident saying, “We are horrified by the reports of police officers injured at our 200 Broadway Shack in Manhattan. We are working with the police in their investigation right now.”
“After a thorough investigation by the NYPD’s Manhattan South investigators, it has been determined that there was no criminality by shake shack’s employees,” the department said today.
The New York City PBA sent out a letter on Monday night to rank and file members warning them of a possible attempted poisoning at a Manhattan Shake Shack. The three officers are now being treated at the hospital and expected to recover. Below is a letter sent out by Union President Patrick J. Lynch.
“I am writing to alert you to yet another serious safety issue. This evening, several MOS assigned to a protest detail in lower Manhattan took meal at the Shake Shack location on Broadway and Fulton Street. At some point during their meal period, the MOS discovered that a toxic substance, believed to be bleach, had been placed in their beverages. The contamination was not discovered until the MOS had already ingested a portion of their beverages. They are currently at the hospital receiving treatment and are expected to recover,” Lynch said. “All PBA members are advised to carefully inspect any prepared food item they purchase while on duty for possible contamination. Whenever possible, take meals in groups of two or more, and remain vigilant for the duration of the meal period. When New York City police officers cannot even take a meal without coming under attack, it is clear that the environment in which we work has deteriorated to a critical level. We cannot afford to let our guard down for even a moment. As always, look out for each other and remember our primary mission: everyone goes home.”
“We are relieved there was no intentional attack on our police officers,” Lynch said today.