Mayor Eric Adams used a new TV interview to downplay a recent poll revealing New Yorkers are still concerned about crime — and blamed the media for the latest numbers.
“Let’s think about it for a moment, how do they [New Yorkers] start their day? They start their day picking up the news, the morning papers, they sit down and they see some of the most horrific events that may happen throughout the previous day,” a defensive Adams argued during a Fox 5 television interview Wednesday morning.
“Plays on your psyche!” he added.
A new Siena College poll revealed that 41% of New York State residents have “never” been as concerned about their personal safety as they are now – while a shocking 87% responded that crime is a very or somewhat serious problem in New York State and New York City.
“[M]y mission is to move people from what they felt to what they’re feeling. And no one can take away the fact this city is humming,” added Adams.
“We’re seeing people getting back out enjoying our parks. So we know it’s going to take time. But if you lead off every day with some of the horrific incidents that take place in the city with 8.5 million people, there’s a feeling that you have.”
He said NYPD officers are on patrol citywide, especially in major metro areas like Times Square and the subway system.
In May, The Post reported that the NYPD has been struggling to halt the post-pandemic wave of violence — with overall major crime staying steady over last year, but still up more than 34% when compared to 2018, new police data shows.
Police statistics reveal that any progress made over the last year in five of the seven major crime categories was offset by a continued rise in felony assaults and car thefts, which were up 7.7% to 9,977 and 16.3% to 5,723, respectively, as of Sunday.
The NYPD has slowed the uptick in murders, which are down to 146 from 168 during the same time period last year. Experts say the trend is a result of Mayor Eric Adams’ focus on reducing gun violence — another pandemic-fueled surge — which has dipped more than a quarter this year compared to 2022, according to the data.
But other major categories — such as burglary, robbery, grand larceny and rape — each saw a decrease of only a few points, leaving overall crime rates up by just over 1% so far in 2023, according to the data.
Adams ran for office highlighting his plan to increase public safety and restore law and order in the Big Apple.
Hizzoner went on to boost the number of cops on the streets by taking them off desk duty, restored a controversial patrol unit rebranded as ‘Neighborhood Safety Teams’ and also added a number officers to the city’s subway system.
But attacks continue to plague subway riders. Several individuals were severely injured or died over the last year and a half after being pushed onto tracks. Recently, the NYPD even added extra patrolmen to the platforms after a maniac went on a slashing spree prior to the Juneteenth holiday.
Meanwhile, a combined 61% of Empire State denizens admitted they are either very or somewhat concerned that they’ll be the next victim of a crime. The number rose even higher to 70% among those living in the five boroughs and were asked the same set of questions.
However, city residents are less afraid that they’ll be the next crime victim than they were last year – 76% of city dwellers said they’re either very or somewhat concerned they’ll become a crime victim, according to a June 2022 Siena poll.