Transcript: Part 2: Mayor Adams Appears on WNBC’s “News 4 NY at 5”

July 10, 2025

Adam Kuperstein: Major crimes like murder and shootings here in the city are approaching record lows. It's a bright spot for Mayor Adams who yesterday faced our questions about past corruption allegations. The mayor, meeting with us in Harlem to talk about public safety and his efforts to earn a second term.

Here right now with part two of his interview with Mayor Adams is chief investigative reporter Jonathan Dienst.

Jonathan Dienst: Along 125th street, people rushed for selfies with Mayor Adams. On this day, the mayor who promised public safety can point to near record lows in shootings across the city.

Mayor Eric Adams: I have never gone to a town hall, a forum where residents did not say we want our police. So all the loud noise makers that are saying defund the police, disband the Police Department, that is not what working class people are saying.

Dienst: In the first half of this year just 146 murders compared to 229 four years ago, a 36 percent drop. Shooting incidents have seen a bigger decrease, a 54 percent drop. This despite looser bail laws. NYPD stats show just 45 percent of suspects arrested on gun charges face any bail conditions. The data shows many are just released.

Mayor Adams: In spite of fighting with those who are carrying guns and committing criminal acts, we also have been fighting with our lawmakers. We're making decisions in a sterilized environment of our legislative chambers and not realizing how it impacts the streets.

Dienst: The mayor pointing to precision policing, targeting suspected gang leaders like last year's spate of scooter robbery patterns. Numbers there have dropped 64 percent in part after a recent crackdown on Tren de Aragua related crews. The mayor credits in part the leadership of NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, and in our interview he denied the two have had a personal or professional falling out.

Mayor Adams: There is no tension. We have a job to do.

Dienst: So you would keep her on?

Mayor Adams: Yes, I would. Excited to have her on.

Dienst: Some other crime categories improving, but robbery, assault, grand larceny all up since 2021. Part of the issue, repeat offenders arrested and released three or more times up double digits in areas like burglary, auto theft and shoplifting.

Mayor Adams: We didn't have these bail laws when we look at those numbers. We didn't have Raise the Age when you look at these numbers. So we are now policing in a real environment of major changes on keeping people in jail that commit serious crime.

Dienst: And 311 complaints up 15 percent in the last year. The mayor says added quality of life teams are now working to address those concerns.

Mayor Adams: The people must be safe, but they must feel safe.

Dienst: The mayor gave us this take on his policing strategies versus Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani.

Mayor Adams: Well, I don't believe in defunding the police because you know what you have to do to get a Rikers right now. Those 7,400 people that are in there are some of the most dangerous people in our society. When he empties Rikers, you know where they're going. They're going back to the communities that they preyed on.

Dienst: Mamdani has countered he wants a Department of Public Safety that, in part, adds social workers to address ongoing problems. In our interview, we spoke with the mayor about Andrew Cuomo, who asked him to step aside, citing Adams's lower polling numbers.

Mayor Adams: I want to be clear. We asked each other to step down. Just as he asked me, I asked him. I said, let's do what's best for the city.

Dienst: Despite several scandals surrounding his City Hall, Adams argues he is the moderate with the better chance to win.

Mayor Adams: His message did not resonate. He passed bail. I had to fix it. He passed the discovery law that allowed people to walk free. I had to fix it.

Dienst: With the mayor in Harlem, Jonathan Dienst, News 4 New York.

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