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COMMUNITY OP-ED MARCH 21, 2025 | The Indian Eye 12

Making Our Streets Safer with More

Than 1,000 Illegal Guns Taken Off

NYC Streets Since Beginning of 2025

The removal of these illegal guns has driven year-to-date shootings down by 14.5 percent

compared to 2024 and to the lowest point in our city’s history, saving countless lives

ERIC ADAMS

ince day one, public safety has been our ad-
ministration’s North Star. Our primary mis-
Ssion has been to create safer streets, safer sub-
ways, and a safer city for all New York families. Part
of our strategy has been to zero in on removing il-
legal guns from our streets and out of the hands of These remarkable results have been driven by the use of zone-based policing, including deploying officers to hot-spot locations
criminals before they can cause more harm. experiencing spikes in crime (File photo)

The numbers are in, and since the start Additionally, transit crime is down 27.9 per- of the seven major crime categories. And since we

of this year, the NYPD has already helped cent year-to-date, following a significant deploy- came into office three years ago, shootings and ho-
ment of officers to city subway platforms and
micides are substantially down — 42.2 percent and
us take more than 1,000 illegal guns off trains, including on overnight shifts. And crime 22.7 percent, respectively.
Plus, thanks to our Neighborhood Safety
the streets. That is 1,000 weapons that no in New York City public housing developments is Teams, Public Safety Teams, and Community Re-
also down 12.7 percent since the start of the year.
longer threaten the safety of our neighbor- These remarkable results have been driven sponse Teams that have been deployed in targeted
hoods, our families, or our children. And by the use of zone-based policing, including de- areas, New Yorkers don’t just see the numbers go-
ing down — they can feel the difference, too.
ploying officers to hot-spot locations experiencing
those 1,000 guns take the total number of spikes in crime and additions to our Subway Safety It is clear: Our public safety strategy is work-
illegal guns taken off city streets since we Plan, first implemented in February 2022. ing. But we will not rest on these achievements.
We are going to continue NYPD foot pa-
came into office to a staggering 20,700. trols in high-crime areas, both above ground and Our priority remains the same: keep New York-
throughout our transit system. But we know that ers safe and continue to address gun violence and
The removal of these illegal guns has driv- ending gun violence requires more than enforce- illegal firearms. We will keep pressing for more —
en year-to-date shootings down by 14.5 percent ment. It requires attention and investment. We are more officers, more safety, and more results.
compared to 2024 and to the lowest point in our going to ensure that young people have safe places Because of our steadfast focus on eradicating
city’s history, saving countless lives. In fact, for away from gun violence to play by opening more gun violence, and the hard work of the brave men
three years in a row, the number of shootings and playgrounds and community centers. And we are and women of New York’s Finest, New York City
homicides across our city have both substantially going to continue to invest in the safety of our continues to be the safest big city in America, and
declined. Getting illegal guns and reducing homi- schools, our streets, and our subways. we will keep working until we are the best place to
cides off our streets and out of our cities is critical All of this work has led to the third consec- raise a family as well.
to protecting our kids, our communities, and our utive month of double-digit decreases in overall
future. crime, with the city experiencing reductions in six Eric Adams is the Mayor of New York City, NY

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