Mayor Adams highlights job growth, public safety, housing initiatives in NYC

File Source: NYC.gov

Mayor Eric Adams addressed the press in an in-person media availability, emphasizing the city’s record-breaking job growth, ongoing public safety improvements, and new housing initiatives. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to making New York the best place to raise a family while pushing back against criticisms of his leadership.

“For the tenth time, we broke the job records—the largest number of jobs in the history of this city,” Adams said, highlighting a new Department of Labor report showing New York City has surpassed 4.86 million jobs, including a record 4.2 million private sector jobs. “And when you add that with the decrease in unemployment among Black and Hispanic communities, it’s clear we are making real progress.”

Public safety remained a focal point, with Adams praising the FDNY’s fire prevention efforts, especially in light of the 100th anniversary of National Fire Prevention Week. The department has released detailed risk assessments for all 59 community boards, and Adams urged New Yorkers to install and maintain smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. “FDNY’s ongoing fire and life safety education efforts have already made a significant impact, driving down fire deaths by 24 percent in 2024,” he noted.

Addressing homelessness, Adams pushed back against critics who claim his administration’s encampment removals have been ineffective. “It really blows my mind that people don’t see the difference between our city and other cities,” he said. “We took 8,000 people off our subway system who were sleeping there. There’s nothing dignified about sleeping on the streets, and we’ve done this in a humane way.” He also cited a recent housing initiative at Woodhull Hospital, which provides housing on-site for those in need.

When asked about former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s criticism that the city is in crisis, Adams dismissed it. “I can see why the former governor doesn’t want to look at reports—because if you do, you’ll see what he did when he was in office,” he said. “Perception is reality to many people, and we don’t dismiss how New Yorkers feel, but the numbers don’t lie.”

On concerns about potential federal funding cuts to NYC schools under a new administration, Adams assured New Yorkers that his administration would navigate any budget challenges. “We’ve always stepped up,” he said. “The real apprehension isn’t about what may happen—it’s about what already happened. We lost $7 billion under the previous administration, and no one was making noise about that except me.”

Regarding waste management and a City Council proposal for free trash bins, Adams took a pragmatic stance. “Sometimes the Council is like that spouse who just spends, spends, spends,” he quipped. “We’d love to give bins out for free to everyone, but everything comes with a price tag. Some people can afford to buy their own bins. This is the budget negotiation season, and we’ll figure out how to do it right.”

As Adams wrapped up, he highlighted the city’s mental health initiatives and encouraged New Yorkers to read the newly released 2024 Behavioral Health Annual Progress Report. “This week is Mental Health Week, and we’re making sure New Yorkers know the many ways we are helping them,” he said. “I know you guys like to read all of our reports—so feel free to do so.”