Scott Stringer, a NYC mayoral candidate, proposes hiring 3,000 police officers to enhance safety amid rising crime concerns in the city.
Stringer, the former city comptroller, shared his safety plan with The Post. He’s looking to tackle the rising crime rates and make people feel safer, especially with the recent subway violence. He believes it’s time for action.
He emphasized the need for a mayor with vision and experience, saying he’s not just throwing out unrealistic ideas. But let’s be real, hiring that many cops is a tall order, especially since fewer people are applying to join the NYPD these days.
The police force has seen a significant drop in numbers, now sitting at just under 33,500 officers, the lowest since the 90s. Meanwhile, the Adams administration has been pushing more officers onto the streets and into the subway to deal with gun violence and random attacks, leading to a spike in overtime.
Just recently, Governor Kathy Hochul added to the pressure by promising to have a cop on every subway train at night, which many officers say is nearly impossible with the current staffing levels.
Stringer pointed out that the extra work has really hurt morale, causing many officers to leave the force. He’s also suggesting some recruitment strategies that echo what Adams has been doing, like offering higher pay and considering four-day work weeks.
His safety plan includes appointing a deputy mayor to focus on quality-of-life issues. This plan comes right after a poll showed him trailing former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has a 33% favorability rating compared to Stringer’s 13%.
