According to the NYPD, crime in New York City has spiked to 38% which has many city residents on edge. New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) has emphasized a message of security and public safety.
“The loudest is not the majority,” Adams said after a discussion about police patrolling high crime neighborhoods. He believes that the expansion of police protection will have an effect on crime. Based on current statistics, hate and transit system crimes have grown markedly. The department has recorded 79% growth in hate crimes, while transit system crimes are up 70% this year already.
“I need my lawmakers to make sure that we don’t place dangerous people back on the street,” Adams said.
District Attorney Alvin Bragg is taking a different approach using a strategy of not prosecuting certain smaller crimes and reducing charges on others. Bragg has said he only wants to seek incarceration for the worst crimes like murder, sexual assault and economic crimes. The goal behind his strategery is to find more rehabilitative solutions instead of incarceration for first-time offenders. Bragg’s plans on crime control have been criticized by the police union and Adams himself.
While growing up in Harlem, Bragg recalls experiences he’s dealt with police and others. “I’ve had an automatic weapon held to my head and a gun to my throat,” Bragg said. He wants to give a voice to those who understand that experience and enlighten those who don’t.
