Eric Adams touts decrease in violent crime as New York City mayoral term winds down
NEW YORK, New York (WABC) -- New York City Mayor Eric Adams is touting his tough-on-crime legacy as he prepares to leave office in a few days.
Joined by NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and members of his crisis management system, Adams discussed his administration's anti-crime efforts this year during a press conference on Monday.
Adams presented keys to the city to the anti-violence team members that comprise his crisis management system, which he credits for low numbers of homicides and shootings.
This year is shaping for the city to be on track to have the lowest number of homicides before the pandemic, in part thanks to the NYPD taking 25,000 illegal guns off city streets over the past four years.
Mayor Adams spoke over guns that have been taken off New York City's streets. He was joined by a combined partnership of folks who have been laser focused in creating a more safer city. The collective effort has helped drive shootings down by 55% since the beginning of Adams' administration.
According to the data, the number of homicides so far in 2025 sits at 301, which is 79 less from this time last year. That's a 21% decrease for this crime category.
Meanwhile, there's been a 24% decrease for shooting incidents, with 211 less from the year prior. There's also been a 22% decrease in the number of shooting victims.
Mayor Adams says the crisis management system, teams of credible messengers that mediate conflicts on the street and connect high risk individuals to services to stop violence before it starts, have been a major contribution to 40% reduction in shootings in program areas. This in comparison to a 31% decline in shootings in the highest violence precincts.
"Today, standing beside me are the men and women of the crisis management team, doing the real work of ensuring that we don't have retaliatory shooters and preventing shootings from taking place in the first place. And I just want to say thank you, thank you for what you have done and will continue to do," Adams said.
Tisch also emphasizing the progress made to curb gun violence during the Adams administration.
"From the start of Mayor Adams' term, the expectation was clear: get the guns. And now, four years later, that focus has produced some real results," Tisch said. "More than 25,000 guns seized by the New York City Police Department."
Adams was also joined by NYC Gun Violence Prevention Czar A.T. Mitchell-Mann. The prevention czar says the issue of gun violence hits too close to home.
"Today is a very bittersweet day for me, because as you may have heard, my niece was just recently shot in Brooklyn at the sweet 16 mass shooting, where she is still recovering from her injuries in the hospital. Today is her 16th birthday," Mitchell-Mann said.
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The work by the crisis management system was backed by a $36 million investment from the administration and the City Council.
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