Ask The Mayor: Eric Adams weighs in on recent crime, self-driving cars and more on News 12
New York City Mayor Eric Adams joined News 12 on Wednesday for the monthly Ask The Mayor show, weighing in on recent events within the five boroughs that are pressing matters for New Yorkers.
Gun violence across the five boroughs
Mayor Adams first addressed the recent gun violence across the five boroughs, including the midtown Manhattan mass shooting, a mass shooting at a Brooklyn night club and multiple shootings in short succession in the Bronx.
"There's a common denominator we're seeing over and over again - young shooters, gang involvement, repeated offenders."
The mayor continued to weigh in on how the city will respond, saying that there will be more mobilization in the known crime hot spots across the city.
Sidney, a caller from Morrisania, asked the mayor about a shooting on College Avenue, where three people were injured and one was killed. He claims he's asked for an NYPD camera on the street with elected officials and the local precinct.
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National Guard presence in New York City
When asked about his response about President Donald Trump not needing to send the National Guard to New York City, Mayor Adams said that their visible uniforms in New York City could impact the businesses in the city and the perception of the city. He added that statistically, crime is trending in the right direction within the five boroughs.
Affordable housing initiatives for New Yorkers
Mayor Adams also spoke with Amira from Co-op City, who asked about affordable housing initiatives in New York City:
"When people want to build higher... we're able to leverage the number of units that are affordable."
"We were seeing that it's an inventory issue - when you only have 1.4% vacancy, you can build units, but the demand is so high... that's why we continue to put shovels in the ground."
Self-driving cars could be coming soon to NYC
When asked about driverless cars that could be coming to New York City, Mayor Adams weighed in on how it will be used in the five boroughs and impact New Yorkers, emphasizing that the cars won't be replacing employees.
"We want our men and women who are taxi drivers to continue to be taxi drivers, it's good employment... We're testing out the technology, and that technology can be used in many ways."
Check out News 12's recent coverage on Waymo's potential arrival in Brooklyn: Hit the brakes or go full speed? People react to Waymo test driving cars in NYC
The latest on the Bally's casino proposal conflict
The mayor weighed in on his veto of the New York City Council's vote to stop the casino and the council's plan to override it.
"They have a right to override the veto... but why do we deny the Bronx all the time? Why is the Bronx the place where we say, always no?"
"I think Bronx residents should be part of the conversation, if the determination is made... it's just wrong to use the council as saying 'we're going to prevent the Bronx to have the opportunity to be part of the conversation'."
