Lewis Dodley: We're following two major stories tonight: the city gearing up for the winter storm heading our way, expected to bring the most snowfall the city's seen in three years.
We're also following breaking news of the Bronx, one person dead, several others are injured after a shooting at the Mount Eden Avenue subway station during the evening rush. Joining us now with updates on both these stories is Mayor Eric Adams. Good evening, sir.
Mayor Eric Adams: Thank you very much. Good to speak with you.
Dodley: What can you tell us about that shooting in the Bronx?
Mayor Adams: Well, it seems to have stemmed from a dispute. It's currently under investigation at this time. We do believe this was a targeted act following a physical altercation that occurred on the train, and it spilled out onto the platform.
Again, at this time, we do not believe this to be a random attack, and you know, our hearts go out to those who are injured, and it's currently underway now, the executive members of the Police Department are there with the detectives to determine exactly what happened.
Dodley: Are there any suspects still on the loose?
Mayor Adams: We're still sorting out all the details within the next hour or so. I'm sure we'll be coming out with an updated information, but I wanted to make sure I informed the public as quickly as possible that we do not believe that this was just some random act of violence and seemed to have stemmed from a dispute.
Dodley: So, as far as you know, one person killed, and how many injured?
Mayor Adams: It's potentially that we have anywhere in the area of six people who were... Six to seven people who were shot; and as you stated, one person was killed due to this incident.
Dodley: Okay, and those injured are hospitalized, I would assume.
Mayor Adams: Exactly. But we will be coming out with more information because it's still unfolding at this time.
Dodley: Okay, thank you so much for that. But moving on now to the snow, it seems the city is ready this time.
Mayor Adams: Yes, we are already always ready. We have one of the best systems of removing snow, married with some of the technology that we have, that we can know which streets are plowed and how often. Commissioner Tisch has done an amazing job with the men and women of DSNY.
And we're expected to get five to eight inches of snow with the possibility of more. You know, Mother Nature does her own thing, and we believe that including the snow we may have two feet of coastal flooding along vulnerable shorelines.
So, we're telling New Yorkers if you can stay home, stay home, because visibility is going to be extremely poor tomorrow.
Dodley: So, what went into the decision to go to remote learning tomorrow?
Mayor Adams: We evaluate each circumstance. One of the good things that came out of Covid‑19 — if there's any good coming out of it — was the use of remote learning. Historically, as you know, we had to close schools. We were impacted on school days.
When we look at what the weather is going to bring and the uncertainty of it, we make the evaluation. And the chancellor called me this morning so that we can notify teachers, principals and families that we were going to go to remote learning.
Dodley: What about parents who have to work, can't find daycare, any provisions for them?
Mayor Adams: That's why we start out early, to give people the alternatives that they need so that we can notify as early as possible. We did not want to wait until the day of or the day before. That has been done in previous years, and we did not want to do that. We wanted to let people know as soon as possible.
Dodley: So, you're also not moving migrants at Floyd Bennett Field, so obviously you're confident that tents will hold up. But is there any chance they and other migrants will be moved and where?
Mayor Adams: No, we're fairly comfortable in stating that the way the tents are pitched is going to allow the snow to fall off, so we don't feel that there's going to be an issue with the wind gusts. These tents are able to hold a certain level of wind. And we're feeling comfortable in the understanding that we're not going to have to move any of the migrants or asylum seekers from any of our locations.
Dodley: And what advice do you have for people who have to get around?
Mayor Adams: Public transportation. That's the best way. This way we will allow the Department of Sanitation to remove the snow as quickly as possible. Once you get over two inches, the plows will be out there to get the snow off the street.
The Department of Sanitation can move more rapidly if you don't have vehicles on the street, so we're asking people to use public transportation.
Dodley: Mayor Adams, thank you so much for joining us.
Mayor Adams: Thank you. Take care.
Dodley: You too.
###