Mayor Eric Adams used a new TV interview to downplay a recent poll revealing New Yorkers are still terrified about crime — and blamed the media for the latest numbers.
A new Siena College poll revealed that 41% of New York State residents have “never” been as concerned about their personal safety as they are now – while a shocking 87% responded that crime is a very or somewhat serious problem in New York State and New York City.
“They start their day picking up the news, the morning papers… and they see some of the most horrific events that may happen throughout the previous day,” a defensive Adams said during an interview with Fox 5 New York anchor Rosanna Scotto on Wednesday morning.
“Plays on your psyche!” he added.
Scotto responds “But unfortunately, we just report on things that actually happen.”
“We know it’s going to take time,” Adams acknowledges. “But if you lead off every day with some of the horrific incidents that take place in the city with 8.5 million people, there’s a feeling that you have.”
“[M]y mission is to move people from what they felt to what they’re feeling. And no one can take away the fact this city is humming,” added Adams.
He said NYPD officers are on patrol citywide, especially in major metro areas like Times Square and the subway system.
Just last week, The Post reported the Big Apple saw a dip in overall crime last month — which NYPD brass touted as “progress” — though July has gotten off to a bloody start.
New NYPD crime statistics show that major crimes dropped by 4% in the five boroughs last month compared to June 2022 — despite a 23% leap in citywide car thefts and with felony assaults for the month on par with June last year.
Car thefts, classified as grand larceny auto, were up this past June compared to last — 1,391 incidents versus 1,133.
Major — or index — crimes include murder, rape, robbery, felony assault, burglary, grand larceny and grand larceny auto.
“As we look back on the month of June and the first half of the year, we can see already progress in the NYPD’s fight against violence and disorder as well head into the summer months,” Acting NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban said on July 6.
“We are confident that our work will continue to make a positive impact on this city and improve the lives of all the people we serve,” Caban said.
Experts say the trend is a result of Mayor Eric Adams’ focus on reducing gun violence — another pandemic-fueled surge — which has dipped more than a quarter this year compared to 2022, according to the data.
Meanwhile, a combined 61% of Empire State denizens in the recent Siena poll admitted they are either very or somewhat concerned that they’ll be the next victim of a crime.
The number rose even higher to 70% among those living in the five boroughs and were asked the same set of questions.
However, city residents are less afraid that they’ll be the next crime victim than they were last year – 76% of city dwellers said they’re either very or somewhat concerned they’ll become a crime victim, according to a June 2022 Siena poll.
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