NYC offices could be half-filled by September, business group says
CHINATOWN, Manhattan (WABC) -- New York City offices could be half filled by September, the head of an influential business group said after a meeting with top business leaders convened by Mayor Eric Adams Thursday afternoon.
The mayor brought together the group amid concerns about workers coming back to their offices following the fatal shooting of a Goldman Sachs worker on a subway train Sunday, as well as other high profile crimes
NYPD brass reported "some real progress" in cutting crime over the past month to the group of more than 100 corporate leaders, and walked them through plans to keep crime under control in the summer.
"There's some good news in terms of the efforts that the mayor and NYPD are making to fight gun violence and crime," Partnership for New York City President and CEO Kathryn Wylde said. "But at the same time, the mayor emphasized that theres a sense of lawlessness, disrespect for the law and for the police that's developed over the last couple years. And it's not going to go away without all of us working together to support efforts to bring down crime and work together to get our city feeling safe and secure."
She said business leaders were rattled by the fatal shooting of 48-year-old Daniel Enriquez on a Q train Sunday.
Adams has been trying to get workers back to their offices to revive New York City's economy, but the continued violence is proving to be a hinderance.
"Obviously, this week is a terrible week," MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber said. "This week, I cannot say to any of New York City subway riders, don't feel afraid, because what happened is a terrifying nightmare."
The Partnership for New York City says 94% of workers are concerned for their safety, particularly on public transit, as they return to the office.
"We have to send a signal that this is a city of law and order," Adams said. "Not a city of unlawfulness and disorder."
New York City is lagging behind the rest of the country when it comes to office occupancy, and officials say making workers feel safe is the key to New York City's economic success.
"The NYPD has responded to my request, the MTA's request, that we have cops more present on the platforms and on the trains," Lieber said.
The accused subway shooter, 25-year-old Andrew Abdullah, said nothing during his arraignment Wednesday afternoon as he faces second-degree murder and weapons charges.
He is accused of murdering 48-year-old Daniel Enriquez in an unprovoked attack on a Manhattan bound Q train on Sunday.
He was ordered held without bail.
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