ARCHIVES OF THE MAYOR'S WEEKLY COLUMN Archives of Rudolph W. Giuliani

Leading New York's Finest in a New Century

Last week, I had the pleasure of administering the oath of office to New York City's 40th Police Commissioner, Bernard B. Kerik, who until recently served as Commissioner of the Department of Correction.

A man of proven ability, talent, and judgment, Bernard Kerik was critical to Correction's great success over the past six-and-a-half years. He led that Department to higher and higher levels of achievement with his talent and managerial skill. And now he will do the same for the NYPD, the largest and greatest police department in the United States.

The swearing-in of a new Police Commissioner in many ways marks the beginning of a new chapter in the life of our city. Over the past seven years, New Yorkers have learned that the quality of life in their city is built on a foundation of crime reduction.

When people feel that they can walk down their street at any hour without being threatened, then the civic life of neighborhoods begins to thrive. Businesses will only invest their capital - and families will only invest their future - where they feel safe.

In every category, New Yorkers are safer now than they were a decade ago. Our Police Department has reduced overall crime in this city by 55%, and homicide by 65%. Robberies are down by 58%, assaults by 37%, rapes by 35%, and shootings by 66%. We have gone from being perceived as the crime capital of the country to the safest large city in the nation.

We have not rested on our success, but instead embraced a philosophy of constant improvement. Commissioner Howard Safir deserves a great deal of credit and thanks from all New Yorkers for his successful efforts to reduce crime to historic lows.

I believe that Bernard Kerik has the vision to lead New York's Finest as the first new Police Commissioner of the 21st Century. He has already been working hard, reaching out to communities, and spreading the simple but powerful message that when the Police Department succeeds, all New Yorkers succeed.

Recently, Commissioner Kerik and I visited a predominantly Latino church at 96th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. That neighborhood had once been a common spot for gangs and drug dealing. It has experienced a 94% decrease in murder during the life of this administration.

That number is not just a statistic - it represents loved ones who are alive today who might not have been if crime had continued at the levels of a decade ago. And that transformation did not happen by accident - it occurred because of the extraordinary courage and commitment of the men and women of the 24th Precinct. Lower crime has allowed life to flourish in that neighborhood, as it has throughout our city.

The challenge that we now face is to build on the historic successes of the Police Department while addressing the areas which are still in need of improvement. We cannot do it alone - every New Yorker needs to join with us in the spirit of this new beginning by showing a personal commitment to creating an atmosphere of mutual respect. Never forget that police officers put their lives on the line every day to keep you and your loved ones safe from harm. At the very least, they deserve your thanks and your support.