Transcript: Mayor Adams Appears Live on News 12 and Takes Questions from New Yorkers

August 20, 2024

Amanda Bossard: Hello everyone and thanks for being with us here on News 12, where local matters. I'm Amanda Bossard and this is Ask the Mayor. It is a pleasure to be back here with you for the next half hour as we're giving you a unique opportunity to ask Mayor Eric Adams your questions right here on the air. 

The number to dial is (718) 861-6800. It will be on the bottom of your screen throughout the program for reference as well. And with that, we're very happy to welcome back to our studios tonight New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Great to have you.

Mayor Eric Adams: Great to see you, Amanda. It's good to be back here.

Bossard: Great. And as we wait for some of those calls to come in, I just want to touch on real briefly some of the headlines that we've seen over the past couple of days involving subpoenas and investigations. And I just want to give you the opportunity to speak directly to New Yorkers about the message that you'd like to send to them to keep in mind as this process plays out.

Mayor Adams: No, no. So true. And you know, I like to remind people over and over, I'm a former law enforcement officer, 22 years in the Police Department. And I'm a big believer, you participate with any review that takes place and we did that from the beginning. We're going to continue to do so. 

And what's so important, let the process play out. I strongly believe that on the other side of this, people are going to see that I did nothing wrong. I continue to say that I did not serve, enforcing the law to break the law. And I am looking forward to just fighting on behalf of New Yorkers. Lawyers are going to deal with that process, I'm going to keep delivering for the city.

Bossard: I appreciate you taking the time to just address that briefly here as we switch gears now and address some big changes that are coming to the Bronx, specifically the City Council taking some major action late last week to approve the Bronx Metro-North rezoning plan, hundreds of millions of dollars in improvements. We have thousands of homes and thousands of job opportunities that come as a result of this. Can you paint a picture for Bronxites who are going to be in those impacted neighborhoods of what these changes are going to look like and how their neighborhoods are going to reflect that once all is said and done?

Mayor Adams: Transformative. I spend a lot of time in the Bronx and for so many years, this borough had great borough presidents like you do now with Vanessa Gibson, Ruben Diaz Jr., who I'm going to see later. But it has been passed by and we want to use the hubs of where the train stops are to do our housing initiative. 

44 to zero. Cannot thank Speaker Adrienne Adams enough for really showing how important this is and getting up the team and the Council together. 10,000 new jobs in the area, 7,000 new housing will take place there. We're in a housing shortage and we have to be a City of Yes. And it's just exciting each time we get these projects up and going. Like our Willets Point project, 2,400 units of 100 percent affordable housing with a soccer stadium privately funded. But what you're seeing here in the Bronx is similar to what we saw and we're seeing all over the entire city. Really exciting.

Bossard: Yeah. And with that excitement in mind, how do we expand projects like this to perhaps other transit deserts in the city? I think what comes to mind to me is Southern Brooklyn specifically.

Mayor Adams: Yes. Yes. By saying yes to housing. This is an important initiative. People have heard about this City of Yes concept. We have not had any major zoning changes since the 60s. And we had zoning changes that were in place that really prevented us from building. And when you look at it, we have 59 community boards in our city. Out of those 59 community boards, 10 have built more affordable housing than 49 combined. Just not right. 

So we have places where there are good schools, access to good healthcare, access to good food, access to good transportation. We need to build more housing there. You should not have a lottery with 200 units, yet we have 50, 60,000 people putting in for those units. So we need to look at those transit deserts, come up with alternatives to transportation or good bus service so that people can live throughout this entire city.

Bossard: And this Bronx rezoning a big part of that City of Yes.

Mayor Adams: Oh, it is. It is. It is. And you know, the borough president, to our credit, and many of the other borough presidents have all supported this whole rezoning that we're looking to do citywide. But Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson really understands that we have to build more. 

We have to build our way out of this problem. The state gave us some tools, such as renovation of office spaces into permanent housing. We have [138 million] square feet of office spaces that we could potentially do this. Now we need the city to help, and we're getting some support, and we're hoping that they lean into this and get this City of Yes proposal passed.

Bossard: I'm sure many others also looking forward to that, too. I want to get to our first question of the evening. I believe it's on the topic of subway safety, and this is Lani from Flatbush. Let's listen in to this.

Question: Yeah, so any questions that I have for Mayor Eric Adams? I want to say, like, when are we going to start getting safety checks and everything inside of the train stations? Like, y'all more worried about making sure everybody's swiping MetroCards, taking our money, but females, a lot of males, everybody's still getting stabbed in their legs, stabbed in their neck.

Mayor Adams: I like that, and you know, you do got to pay your fare, you know. So let's look at it. What has happened, like when you have 4.1 million riders a day, and you take whatever negative action that happens with 4.1 million riders, and it's highlighted, should be reported. But when it leads all the time, people have a tendency to believe, as this young lady, that okay, people just get stabbed every day on our subway system. 

No. We have five felonies, an average of five felonies a day, out of 4.1 million riders. Now we want to get rid of the five felonies, but the reality is, the subway system is the safest it has been in almost 14 years, if you remove the two years when no one was on it during COVID. Our robbery numbers are the lowest in recorded history on the subway system, the lowest in recorded history. So I know people read, they sit on the subway and they will pick open the paper and say, oh my gosh, somebody got pushed in the subway tracks. 

We need to deal with those issues, but this system is the safest it has been in over 14 years, if you remove those two years from COVID. Robbery numbers are the lowest in the recorded history of the system, and so we are now where we want to be, but we want to get rid of those five out of the 4.1 million riders, but these police officers are doing an amazing job, and we're going to continue to move forward with it.

Bossard: I was going to say, a lot of those numbers probably credited to that surge of police officers that you put into the system back in January. Also now seeing some new technology at certain subway stations with these weapon detectors that have been in place for about a month at select stations. Any feedback that you're getting from that program so far, or plans to expand it in the future?

Mayor Adams: We wanted to do a 30-day pilot project. Deputy Commissioner Daughtry was looking at the project, and we're going to see and assess, did we find any guns, did we find any knives, did we find any razors? We do it in alignment with our bag checks, and then we're going to assess to see what the expansion is going to look like. 

But you know, I'm big on technology. We have to run cities smarter and better, and you have many people, bad guys are using all forms of technology. We just did a major bust in Queens, a home invasion, where we used a drone. Responding officers were able to use the drones with a heat sensor to see the perpetrators run out of the house, they saw where they ran to, they were able to apprehend them. And that is how you partner drones and technology, such as the weapon detector, with the manpower on the ground.

Bossard: You're talking about technology and using that for enforcement purposes, and my mind goes to illegal dumping, weirdly enough, because I think that now with added surveillance and increased fines, that's supposed to add as a deterrent. Across the Bronx, across Brooklyn, I feel like this summer we have been covering these stories near constantly. Anything else beyond the surveillance, beyond the increased fines that we can do to deter this dumping in our neighborhoods?

Mayor Adams: We see that a lot in Hunts Point, in Glendale, and you see it all over the city. Councilman Salamanca was really front and center on that, and our goal is to utilize the cameras in a real way, but the best things we can do is for people to report who's doing it. And at the same time, when you see the license plates, don't do it where you place yourself in harm's way, but take a picture of the license plates. 

Send it in to 911, or you can drop it off to your local precinct. That is community involvement, helps us identify. Oftentimes, it's the same person. They may do some type of profession where they have to get rid of garbage and they find it's better to dump it instead of paying to get rid of it, so we need the help and assistance from the resident. It's a huge problem here in the Bronx, and your Council persons have really assisted us in doing so. We've placed cameras in locations, but everyday New Yorkers can do so much to also assist us in the apprehensions.

Bossard: And obviously great to see Sanitation stepping up and cleaning up so often when we make them aware of these situations, but anything else that can be done on the enforcement end of that beyond the surveillance?

Mayor Adams: Last year, we issued over 300 summonses, and the fines are steep. We're talking about $4,000. So we are… Commissioner Tisch, she is really 100 percent on this. That picture speaks volumes. It just changed the character of the entire area when you see something like this, and you know what it does? It brings out my number one enemy, rats.

Bossard: We have a lot more to talk on that topic coming up for sure, but 100 percent.

Mayor Adams: When you look at this, it's just really problematic, and it's just individuals who don't respect their neighbors. So this is a problem we are really taking seriously.

Bossard: All too often, it's the community that comes together and lets us know and then hopes to get it cleaned up. Well, the conversation is just getting started here on Ask the Mayor tonight, (718) 861-6800 is the number to dial. If you have a question for Mayor Adams, we'll be taking those calls as soon as we come back. Stay with us.

[Commercial break.]

Bossard: Welcome back to Ask the Mayor here on News 12 with New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The phones have been ringing off the hook, so it's time to get to some of those callers tonight and I believe we have Cesar from the Bronx on the line. Caesar, thanks so much for tuning in and calling in. What's your question for the mayor?

Question: Yes, thank you. Thank you, Mayor Adams, for taking this call. Thank you. Mayor Adams, I got issues with the Section 8. I apply it, and I apply it, and I apply it, and I keep getting shut down. Now I feel bad because I'm born and raised here, I work here, all my life. It's like people, I don't know where they jumped the line. Everybody, you know, is going through something. I get it. But what about those that were here first, you know? What about the veterans? You understand what I'm saying? It's very hard. Like Section 8 tells you they're going to call you at 5, they call you at 4:59. That's it. If you don't answer within those two phone rings, you're shot down.

Mayor Adams: One thing is important to point out, because I hear this often. People say, hey, the new arrivals, particularly the migrants and asylum seekers, are taking the housing that many of, you know, long-time New Yorkers have been waiting for. That's not true. They're not eligible for this housing. The Section 8 housing, our voucher programs, our FHEPS vouchers, is for New Yorkers. It's for long-term New Yorkers, and so I want to be clear on that. 

The Section 8 just announced 200,000 households were randomly selected. It's not about jumping the line. This is a random process, because we want to make sure the integrity of it. But 200,000 households were randomly selected, and NYCHA is now notifying these families as well. So it may be possible that you're one of those 200,000 that's being notified. But don't give up. I often hear people, they try to call one time, or they try to go after one of the Housing Connects programs one time, and they get frustrated. But as we had, a woman was with us as we announced some of the initiatives we're doing with some of the new housing, she talked about how she stayed on top of it, and she was able to get a great home to live in. 

Brother, let me tell you this, we have a housing shortage, 1.4 percent vacancy rate. And we need to encourage all of our electeds to welcome new housing throughout this entire city. And that's what the City of Yes is about, it’s doing a little bit more housing in every community. And I made a commitment at the State of the City to reopen the waiting list after 15 years that it was closed. We reopened it, promise made, promise kept. And I look forward to you finding that home that you're looking for.

Bossard: Absolutely. I believe we also have Denis on the line joining us this evening from Morrisania. Dennis, thanks so much for calling in. Go ahead and ask your question when you're ready.

Question: Hello, how are you doing, Mayor Adams?

Mayor Adams: Good. How are you, Denis?

Question: I'm okay. I'm all right. I wanted to ask you about the exploding e-bikes. I have a couple of solutions to fix that problem. Is there any way that somebody can contact me to figure out how we can talk about it?

Mayor Adams: Oh, I love calls like this, Denis, you know, solution-driven. Yes. Leave your number, we get your message if you, the team, the operator will take your number and in fact, I'll call you when I get in the car, when I drive out to the beach for this concert. I'll give you a call to get an understanding of your idea and I'll put you in contact with our Emerging Markets, you know, because you may be onto something and we want to hear it.

Bossard: Mr. Mayor, I'll ask though, what are some of the initiatives that your administration is spearheading right now? I know just last month you had a big announcement with a variety of points to tackle this problem.

Mayor Adams: Those darn bogus batteries out there, you know, they're coming from different places, you know, like China and others, and they are just not being used correctly. So we're doing everything from a battery swap program to education. Many people need to be educated on where they should be storing their e-bikes. We found a lot of fires where people were storing their e-bikes by their doors or in their bedrooms. 

And when you look at the video, I encourage everyone to go online, look at the video on how fast these fires/explosions take place. So we've launched the first-in-the-nation, a municipal trade-in program for the first time in this nation and a new campaign to let New Yorkers know. And it is imperative these batteries should be swapped out. One short change, they think you get a discount, it could harm your family. And as we see, that's taking lives. And hats off to former Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh. She really took this issue front and center. And it was so important. This fire here up in the Bronx, I remember responding to that fire. Thank God, knowing we didn't lose any lives, I believe, in that fire. But that is how dangerous these e-bikes are.

Bossard: I think the battery swap program is going to be really key and something that we're definitely going to keep a close eye on as it continues to develop. And a lot of people will be doing the same. 

We were talking briefly during the commercial break that we're in back to school season. It is in full swing. The kids are going to be back to school before we know it. One thing that was being talked about at the end of last school year was a potential cell phone ban in schools. I know the governor had a listening tour this summer to get feedback from families. 

I believe at the end of the last school year, the schools chancellor even said, I'm leaning towards that. Any update on whether or not that's something that families need to be prepared for come September?

Mayor Adams: And we've had a number of conversations. And it's interesting. This is one of those issues where on both sides of the issue, there are those who are strongly proponents of it and those who are saying, wait a minute, hold on for a moment. Because there's a real safety issue. 9/11 has changed the game where parents want to get in contact with their loved ones right away. 

But here are the facts we know. It is a real interference. It's a distraction. It hurts our children. It promotes violence in school. A lot of bullying takes place. It is just something that has impacted our young people a lot. So we're now looking at strongly encouraged to a full ban. Some schools already are voluntarily doing bans. And they say it has worked out. So we want all stakeholders involved and we'll be ready to make a formal announcement.

Bossard: And you think that's going to come before the start of this school year?

Mayor Adams: It has to.

Bossard: Okay. All right. Well, we'll be definitely keeping tabs on that and paying close attention. The conversation continues here on Ask the Mayor right after this, (718) 861-6800 is the number to dial. If you have a question for Mayor Adams, stay with us here on News 12. We'll be right back after this.

[Commercial break.]

Bossard: Welcome back to Ask the Mayor with New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Earlier in the program, we were talking about one of your favorite topics to talk about, that being rats and getting rid of them. 

I believe we have a caller on the line, Heisha, joining us with a question about just that. Heisha, thanks so much. What's your question?

Question: Yes. Okay. I have over 20-plus rats in my backyard due to the building next door garbage. The building is not placing its garbage in small bins with lids. How can I resolve this issue?

Mayor Adams: You know, Heisha, and I had a problem with my neighbor next door, the same. Droppings everywhere, the rats are running, you know, it's really unfortunate. So leave your information with the operator here, and what I'm going to do, I'm going to get our rat czar, Rat Czar Corradi, to come up there, look around your place and see exactly, and give you some really good tips on what you can do. And also, we're going to look at what your neighbor is doing next door. So let us get on top of that for you. 

No one wants to deal with this. Listen, I hate rats, I say it over and over again. You know, nothing could disrupt your day more than a rodent running out of your cupboard or across your foot. And so we're going to get up there and give you the help that you need and do an assessment. But I do want to invite you, we're going to have a rat summit. We’ve got some amazing rodentologists, and yes, there are people like that, and scientists, because when you have an enemy, you need to know your enemy. And rats are my enemy. And like other New Yorkers, as we look at what's coming across the screen now, and I'm just like, ooh. 

Bossard: Your skin crawls just looking at them, right?

Mayor Adams: So leave your information, and let us have our team go there and do an analysis. If your neighbor's doing something wrong, you may have some burrows there that you need to close. There are things you can do around the house. Kathleen is amazing in dealing with this issue.

Bossard: Yeah, looking forward to the tips she can provide, Heisha, there, and all that is to be learned out of this National Rat Summit that we're looking forward to in September. I know News 12 will be covering it diligently. 

Mr. Mayor, thanks so much for being back with us here for Ask the Mayor. We appreciate your time and your answers to all the questions. We appreciate all of you for tuning in and calling in. Thanks so much for being with us.

###