On June 6th, which is National Gun Violence Awareness Day, and throughout the month of June, awareness is raised and victims of gun violence are remembered. On June 3rd, Mayor Adams of New York City, along with the Police Commissioner, announced the achievements of the current city government in confiscating 22,000 illegal firearms in 2019 and 2,200 firearms up to the present; furthermore, they also declared that shootings have decreased by nearly 54% (53.9%) and homicides have decreased by approximately 40% (41.4%) during this administration. The NYPD Commissioner proudly stated that this has been the safest year in the history of New York City.
“As we observe National Gun Violence Awareness Month, we remember the victims of gun crimes and fulfill our commitment to eradicate gun violence from our city completely,” said Mayor Adams, who is seeking re-election. “Just since the beginning of this year, the NYPD has seized over 2,200 illegal firearms from the streets, ensuring that these weapons can no longer threaten the safety of our communities, families, and children.”
Police Commissioner Tisch reiterated the extraordinary achievements of the NYPD that had been announced previously: shootings have reached a historic low up to now; notably, in May, shootings decreased by 38.6% compared to last year, with 41 fewer victims. Many other related indicators have also dropped to their lowest levels in history. “This year has been the safest year in New York City’s recorded history,” Tisch told 1010 WINS radio station on the same day.
Tisch praised this achievement as “unprecedented,” stating, “Such results are not at all coincidental, especially with the state treating our criminal justice system like a revolving door,” referring to the cashless bail law implemented in New York state since 2019, which allows criminals to be released by the court immediately after being apprehended by the police, resembling a “revolving door.”
In New York City, the city government and police have been focused on combating street gun crimes. In July last year, Adams took the lead in urging the highest court to uphold regulations on ghost guns, which require ghost gun components to have serial numbers, and mandate background checks for potential buyers of ghost gun home assembly kits.
Over the past three years, the city government has continuously introduced various initiatives to combat gun violence, preventive measures, and opportunities for increased employment for young people—all of which now appear to have achieved effective results.
According to the New York Post, law enforcement unions in New York, including the police union, are reportedly preparing to support Adams for re-election rather than other candidates who have endorsed the “revolving door” bail law, such as former Governor Cuomo or more left-leaning mayoral candidates.