Several candidates vying for the New York City mayor's office are seemingly backtracking on their prior support for "defund the police" initiatives as they campaign to replace Mayor Eric Adams in 2025. This shift comes amid increasing concerns about public safety and rising crime rates in the city.
Democratic contenders, including New York State Sen. Zellnor Myrie, former city comptroller Scott M. Stringer, and current city comptroller Brad Lander, are now emphasizing pro-police platforms and public safety in their campaigns. This represents a notable change from their positions just a few years ago.
Both Stringer and Myrie have proposed increasing the NYPD's ranks by over 3,000 officers, with Stringer additionally advocating for a police presence on every subway train. Lander, while not explicitly outlining similar hiring plans, has acknowledged the need for a stronger response to public safety concerns, particularly in the wake of the pandemic.
This new focus on law enforcement contrasts sharply with their previous stances. In 2020, following George Floyd's death, Lander called for defunding the police and reimagining public safety. He maintained this position into 2021, despite having a personal NYPD security detail. Similarly, Stringer advocated for a significant $1.1 billion reduction in the police budget in 2020. Myrie, who sued the NYPD alleging assault during a Black Lives Matter protest, expressed strong anti-police sentiments on social media around the same time.
The candidates' shift towards pro-police platforms mirrors Mayor Adams' successful tough-on-crime campaign in 2021. Adams had criticized his then-opponent, Maya Wiley, for advocating defunding the police while employing private security. The current mayoral hopefuls appear to be adopting a similar strategy, recognizing the growing public concern over crime and safety in New York City.
