During his weekly press conference on Tuesday, NYC Mayor Eric Adams underscored his administration's dedication to safety and effective policing by showcasing a drone video taken during a Queens home invasion.
The use of drones, he said, exemplified his willingness to adapt to new technology: “Policing from the ground only is no longer acceptable,” said Adams. “This is why when you hear people mock drones and think they're toys and think that we should not be using them, this is why we use them.”
Adams linked the rollout of new policing strategies to his broader vision for a more affordable city, as outlined in his ‘City of Yes’ proposal. This signature economic plan seeks to transform New York City through comprehensive rezoning, fostering the growth of housing, small businesses and clean energy initiatives.
Adams expressed his ambition to make this bold approach a hallmark of the Democratic Party, noting his optimism that Vice President Kamala Harris would adopt a similar vision if elected president.
Discussing Harris’ recent economic proposals— including the expansion of the child tax credit, measures against price gouging, and the construction of affordable housing— Adams playfully remarked that Harris suggested the nation should become a "country of yes."
“I think people are buying into what I've been stating for a long time: Government has to stop saying 'no,'" he continued.
Mayor Adams will attend the Democratic National Convention today and tomorrow in Chicago. He was not offered a speaking opportunity, unlike Governor Kathy Hochul and Councilmember Yusef Salaam. According to the Mayor, he is unbothered by this, as his only goal is to elect Harris as president and improve living conditions in New York City.
“Sometimes it's best just to, you know, just be quiet,” he said. “I'm not on an ego trip that I have to have this role or that role. I'm the mayor of the City of New York.”
However, Adams acknowledged the complex challenges posed by the asylum-seeker crisis, an issue requiring close coordination with state and federal governments. While he highlighted the city's success in managing the influx of asylum seekers, he admitted there is still much work to be done.
According to Deputy Mayor of Communications Fabien Levy, New York City has successfully moved nearly 150,000 asylum seekers out of shelters— around 70% of those who have arrived since 2022.
The Mayor’s office credits this to a well-functioning shelter system providing comprehensive services. However, concerns remain as asylum seekers are being evicted from shelters regardless of whether they have found permanent housing. The city does not track their whereabouts once they leave, leaving it unclear if they are moving to better conditions or being forced out.
Despite the Mayor’s office claiming that only a small number of former shelter residents are camping on Randall’s Island, Adams described this group as ungrateful.
“For them to say that I don't like the conditions that I'm in [...] when everyday New Yorkers have opened their hearts to say we want to assist you, that's just wrong,” said Adams. “We don't tolerate encampments. If we see them, we're going to take corrective action. And that's what we have done.”
Adams plans to downsize large shelters like the one on Hall Street in Clinton Hill, where over 3,000 people currently reside, in favor of smaller facilities spread throughout the city. He said he conveyed this message to Clinton Hill residents, who had expressed concerns about the influx of asylum seekers last week.
The press conference ended with Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg reminding reporters that questions about other politicians' campaigns were inappropriate in this setting, following the advice of the Conflicts of Interest Board. As the Mayor exited, the room became tense, with Zornberg attempting to calm frustrated journalists.
