NY Leadership Holds Press Conference in Fulton Center, Promises to Resolve Subway Crime
Photo courtesy of Lerone Pieters.
On Monday afternoon, Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul hosted a press conference in the middle of Fulton Center discussing subway crime, homelessness and mental instability.
Without a permanent address or families to care for them, many people are driven into the subway system during the winter.A police chief present at the press conference noted that transit systems arrests have increased by 50% in the last few months. The message last week was very clear: the city and state are aware of the issue, and are mobilizing immediately to solve the problem.
Governor Hochul stated her budget proposal will divert billions of dollars to provide beds and professional care to individuals who are mentally ill.
“We are committed to working with our partners in mental health and social work,” Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said.
She told reporters that the city is in the process of hiring up to 1,000 additional officers. A blanket of police and other responders will be present at multiple high-traffic or high-crime stations, starting on the A, C, 2, 3, N and other lines.
Shams DaBaron, referred to by multiple media outlets as the “Homeless Hero,” announced his total support of Mayor Adams. DaBaron explained that prior to his work in activism he was homeless.
“…It got so bad that I would see the train rolling in and think ‘I can’t take it anymore…’ I would go into rehab, and they would say ‘your nails are clean, you can work.’ I can’t work, I’m suicidal,” Da Baron said.
While New York is far better off now than during the Crack Epidemic, the city has a long way to go. DaBaron hopes that the Mayor and Governor will improve welfare for the homeless and general public safety.
Mayor Adams promised that while the police would respond with compassion first the city would not impede the police from performing their duties due to public backlash. “Back when I was doing [this job], there weren’t any iPhones… We’re not going to tell our officers not to do their jobs because someone is following them around with an iPhone.”
Janno Leiber, CEO and commissioner of the MTA, was also present. Shortly after the conference, we walked together and I asked him how much more difficult work has been for transit system employees.
“The pandemic has left an irreversible impact… The way things currently are, it’s been a lot more difficult. As you heard, we’re now transporting more than 3 million riders. Our staff certainly aren’t impervious to abuse. It’s been a lot more difficult,” Leiber said.
I also asked Commissioner Leiber if he felt more supported by the DeBlasio administration or the Adams administration.
“...the MTA has been asking for help with this crisis for a long time. It’s very helpful to have an actual law enforcement strategy and concrete support outlined by the new mayor.”
When I asked one of Mayor Adams’ staffers how the city intends to pay for these new initiatives, the staffer declined to comment.
In general, the statements given at the press conference suggest an expensive, decisive, long-term response. For more details, read the full press release here.