Cuomo Repeatedly Hits NYC Over 'Crime, Crime, Crime'

New York City NY

27 May, 2021

12:40 PM

Description

NEW YORK CITY — For two straight days, Gov. Andrew Cuomo outlined what he saw as the three biggest problems facing New York City: "Crime, crime, crime." Cuomo's assessment comes amid continued debate over police reform in the city, growing concerns about violent crime and an upcoming primary election that likely will determine who the next mayor will be. "My two cents to New Yorkers, you're going to pick a new mayor — a mayor who can deal with crime realistically," he said Thursday. Like with so much else, Cuomo's words could be read as a thinly veiled swipe against Mayor Bill de Blasio. The governor and de Blasio for months have sparred over the city's spate of shootings and high-profile attacks on subways. And both have devoted most of their public appearances toward the city's and state's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. While de Blasio has struck a cheerful note — and embraced goofy, gimmicky stunts — Cuomo has more often described the situation in New York City in gloom and doom terms. On Wednesday, Cuomo evoked "crime" three times as an impediment to the city's recovery. He repeated it again Thursday, asking mayoral candidates vying to replace de Blasio to spell out their plans for public safety. "Would you put a cop on every train?" he said. "Would you put a cop in every station on the subways? We need change. What would you do with the bail reform laws if you think we need change? How do you build trust with the community once again? How do you do it?"