Mayor Eric Adams appeared to be in full reelection mode Monday afternoon when he not only announced that the NYPD had taken more than 1,000 illegal guns off the streets but also took the opportunity to attack unnamed critics who believe the Big Apple is unsafe.
Standing alongside Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and before several tables of confiscated firearms at the 75th Precinct stationhouse in Brooklyn on March 10, Hizzoner did not mince words when it came to New Yorkers who feel the city is unsafe and full of peril.
“Those who have not read the memo, stop saying our city is in chaos and crisis. The numbers don’t lie; your noise lies,” Adams said. “Let’s stay focused on what we’re doing and applaud these men and women who are doing the job every day. They’re doing the dangerous work of interacting with armed recidivists, repeat offenders, over and over again.”
Facing historically low poll numbers, a huge field of challengers in the June Democratic primary and questions from critics concerned that he owes more loyalty to the Trump administration than New Yorkers, Mayor Adams sought to battle back Monday with the press conference showcasing part of his efforts to fight crime during his first term in office.
Hizzoner revealed that more 1,000 illegal firearms have been removed from the streets since the beginning of the new year — bringing the total number of firearms seized since the start of Adams administration to 20,700.
Such seizures have helped consistently drop gun violence over the last three years by 42.2%, the mayor noted — an accomplishment he believes all New Yorkers should take pride in.
“If you are Team New York, you should be accurate in your assessment and not dump on New York, but lift New York up,” Adams said. “We are taking these illegal guns off the streets. People are back on our subway system. So the numbers are clear.”
Tisch also touted the success. She stated that the confines of the 75th Precinct has seen the lowest levels of shootings in recorded history, and citywide, January and February saw the fewest shootings for the first two months of the year in recorded history.
“These devices have no place in our communities, and our officers are seizing them before they can cause devastation,” Tisch said.
In February 2025, shooting incidents decreased by 20.8% compared to the previous year, representing 22 fewer shooting victims, according to the Adams administration.
“We are the safest big city in America,” Adams said. “Let’s stay focused on what we’re doing.”
