In a flip from his push for deep cuts to the NYPD’s funds, Brad Lander stated Tuesday that — as mayor — he would take steps to rent extra law enforcement officials whereas acknowledging progressive Democrats like himself have been “slow to respond” to some public security issues that emerged through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Instead of having 35,000 officers out on the street, we’ve got fewer than 33,500 and the problem is about to get much worse,” Lander stated, noting retirement charges proceed to climb as 4,000 cops turn into eligible for retirement this yr.
Lander’s name for extra cops contrasts sharply with how as a Metropolis Council member in 2020 he pushed for slashing a minimum of $1 billion from the NYPD’s funds.
Brad Lander makes a public security announcement exterior NYPD headquarters on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. (Barry Williams/ New York Each day Information)
On the time, Lander and plenty of different progressives have been calling for lowering NYPD spending in favor of reallocating extra assets for social providers — coverage platforms that got here out of protest actions that erupted in response to the surprising police homicide of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
He additionally acknowledged progressive Democrats didn’t do a ok job in addressing a few of the public issues of safety that grew to become prevalent through the pandemic, together with spikes in shootings.
“Progressives, myself included, were slow to respond to the elevation of crime and disorder that came through and out of the pandemic and that has given us many of the challenges that we’re dealing with today,” he stated.
Lander wouldn’t give a selected price ticket when requested whether or not he thinks there are nonetheless elements of the NYPD that want belt-tightening. However he did observe police extra time spending — which has surged beneath Mayor Adams’ administration — ought to lower if the division returns to full staffing ranges.
Mayor Adams at Metropolis Corridor on Feb. 24, 2025. (Barry Williams/ New York Each day Information)
Lander’s public security proposal comes after different progressive candidates in June’s Democratic mayoral major have additionally referred to as for extra cops. That features Brooklyn state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, who unveiled a plan final month for hiring 3,000 new officers, as polling reveals public security stays one of the urgent points for New York Metropolis voters, alongside affordability.
Beneath Adams, crime general has dropped this yr as in comparison with when he first took workplace in January 2022. However crime throughout all seven main classes stays larger than it was earlier than the pandemic and when in comparison with all of former Mayor Invoice de Blasio’s eight years in workplace, NYPD information reveals.
“Eric Adams came into office promising to keep New Yorkers, but he has failed,” Lander stated Tuesday.
Vito Pitta, Adams’ marketing campaign lawyer, didn’t return a request for remark.
The proposals Lander floated for enhancing NYPD retention and recruitment centered totally on monetary and academic incentives for officers.
First, he stated he’d as mayor permit highschool graduates to enter the NYPD’s cadet program contingent on them enrolling at a CUNY faculty or different associate school and in change be supplied a $5,000 annual grant for a four-year diploma. He additionally stated he’ll again a invoice pending within the state Legislature that’d jack up salaries for cops who serve greater than 25 years and push the town’s pension funds t
o undertake his proposal to subsidize homeownership for municipal employees, together with officers, as one other carrot to maintain them on the power longer.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch with Mayor Adams on Feb. 18, 2025. (Shawn Inglima / New York Each day Information)
Additionally in his press convention, Lander dedicated to conserving Jessica Tisch, Adams’ new police commissioner, in command of the NYPD if he’s elected mayor.
Lander praised her for doing job, saying that Adams’ earlier high cops and senior commanders “badly damaged” belief within the division by turning into ensnared in federal corruption investigations whereas the mayor himself was beneath indictment on corruption prices.
“I did let her know today that I hope to keep her as commissioner,” Lander stated of Tisch. “I’m not going to reveal a private conversation, but I look forward to building a relationship.”
Initially Printed: February 25, 2025 at 3:18 PM EST
