June 26, 2024 Office of the Mayor News
Amanda Bossard: It is a tool used to identify gunfire in a loud and busy city. From construction noises to fireworks to gunshots, it can be hard to recognize the difference. The NYPD's ShotSpotter technology is designed to do just that, alerting officers when shots are indeed fired. However, an alarming report conducted by City Comptroller Brad Lander and his team suggests the tool is only accurate 13 percent of the time.
Joining us now to discuss this and other issues impacting the borough right now is New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Mr. Mayor, thanks so much for being with us on a busy Wednesday evening. I'll begin by following up on that report we just mentioned released by the Comptroller that highlights some inaccuracies in the ShotSpotter technology. What did you think about those findings?
Mayor Eric Adams: I think that the comptroller and his team, they may have good intentions, but they don't understand how the ShotSpotter operates. Oftentimes you will go to the scene and a person, you won't have the shell casing or you won't have the person that's there that's discharged the weapon. That may play a role and impact it.
We found that this is an amazing tool, and I think that we need to listen to the police experts. They did rigorous reviews over this tool, and if the police are telling us this is a great tool, I don't think a clerical review of it is going to be the analysis that we need.
Bossard: Here in the Bronx recently we have seen several violent attacks on bodega and deli workers, at least three within a week's span. We just got word that tonight several bodegas will be equipped with those panic buttons. Do you support that approach? Any plans for the city to expand on that effort?
Mayor Adams: Yes, and I was in the Bronx last night. I visited one of the victims who was struck with a hammer. She has three children. Thank God that she survived the attack. It's unimaginable that if something would have happened to her, she would have three children that had to be cared for. I support, I think, of the Bodegas Association, of Fernando Mateo, and all the representatives. I think the panic button is a great tool that should be used, and we look forward to coordinating with them.
I want to be clear, in the Bronx murder is down 20 percent, burglaries are down, and grand larceny also are down. The overall crime is up by 0.5 percent, but we're not trying to give people stats when they want to feel safe. We know that the police are out there working hard to make sure we get many of these repeated violent offenders off our streets.
Bossard: You mentioned Fernando Mateo, and I believe he specifically called for a return of stop-and-frisk in the wake of these attacks on Bodega workers. Is that something that you would consider?
Mayor Adams: It's a tool that is still used. Oftentimes, when people think of stop-and-frisk, they think of the abusive way it was used. I testified in federal court, and the judge mentioned my testimony as part of a ruling against the New York City Police Department. You use the tools properly, you witness a substantial decrease, because precision policing is the way that we want to go.
Bossard: Mr. Mayor, school out for summer officially after today. Just yesterday, though, here in the Bronx, we saw a 12-year-old get his hands on a gun, managed to shoot himself in the hand. What is the city doing to keep our kids away from the violence this summer, and of course, keep communities safe?
Mayor Adams: That's what we're seeing. We're seeing a real pattern where young people have been the victims of these shootings and are using the guns. That's why we've invested so much in our young people for the Summer Rising program, to 100,000 summer jobs, our internship program. All of these initiatives are to find places where young people can have an alternative.
We have to have an intervention and a prevention. The prevention is we have to stop the flow of guns, partner with ATF and our joint task force that are in place, and then put in place those intervention measures where we apprehend those who are carrying and using these dangerous weapons. Again, far too often, we are allowing repeated offenders to come back on our streets. We saw it in the shooting of Detective Jonathan, who the person who was in the car with the shooter, who was arrested 20 times, but that person was out on a gun charge, and there was another gun found in the car. There are far too many repeated offenders that are making a mockery of our criminal justice system.
Bossard: Mr. Mayor, we appreciate your time and the conversation here on News 12 tonight. Be well.
Mayor Adams: Thank you. Good to see you. Be well.
###
Media Contact
pressoffice@cityhall.nyc.gov