Holocaust Remembrance Day, Speeding Non-Profit Payments, EBT Benefits Theft, 20K Illegal Guns Off City Streets: Mayor Adams
Holocaust Remembrance Day, Speeding Non-Profit Payments, 20K Illegal Guns Off City Streets: Mayor Adams
Editor’s note: Staten Islander has previously covered Holocaust Remembrance Day for the City of Bayonne last year. We also covered last year’s commemoration of Kristallnacht at the JCC’s Staten Island location. Last week’s article by the mayor focused on his meeting with President Trump and Governor Hochul’s state budget announcement.
MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES CITY HALL, OTHER CITY BUILDINGS TO BE LIT YELLOW TONIGHT IN HONOR OF INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY
City Hall to Feature Exhibition Marking 80th Anniversary of Auschwitz Liberation with Survivor Artwork from Yad Vashem Collection
NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that City Hall and other municipal buildings will be lit yellow in honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. First designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2005, International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemorates the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945. Additionally, to mark this significant 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp, City Hall will host a powerful exhibition titled “The Anguish of Liberation as Reflected in Art” in the City Hall Rotunda for the next week.
“On this 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, we stand at a profound moment in history, where remembrance is not just about the past, but about securing our future,” said Mayor Adams. “As mayor of the city that proudly houses the largest Jewish community outside of Israel, I am deeply moved by the resilience of our Jewish family, while remaining ever mindful of the devastating void left by the Holocaust. In these challenging times, when antisemitism continues to surface in our society, New York City remains steadfast in our commitment to being not just a safe haven, but a beacon of hope for the Jewish community. The yellow lights illuminating our city buildings tonight serve as both a memorial to the 6 million lives lost and a bright reminder of our unwavering solidarity.”
Anguish of Liberation,’ Exhibit. City Hall. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.
“The Anguish of Liberation as Reflected in Art” — a special exhibition featuring works from the Yad Vashem Art Collection — showcases profound artistic expressions created by Holocaust survivors in the immediate aftermath of liberation. Through their artwork and personal stories, these survivors bear witness to humanity’s darkest chapter. Their creative testimonies speak to the triumph of dignity over despair and stand as powerful reminders of our duty to preserve these memories.
In addition to City Hall, the following city buildings will be lit up yellow starting tonight at sundown:
- Bronx Borough Hall: 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451
- The David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building: 1 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007
- Queens Borough Hall: 120-55 Queens Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11424
- Staten Island Borough Hall: 10 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301
Anguish of Liberation,’ Exhibit. City Hall. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.
“Today marks the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz, and the illumination of City Hall in yellow as part of the World Jewish Congress’ #WeRemember campaign, reminds New Yorkers of the atrocities of the past and the possibilities in the future,” said Ronald S. Lauder, president, World Jewish Congress. “The only way to combat hate is through education, and we must teach future generations that there is far more that unites us, than divides us. I would like to thank Mayor Adams for once again lighting up New York City yellow in honor of this important day.”
“Yad Vashem’s poignant exhibition, ‘Anguish of Liberation,’ on display at City Hall, is far more than a collection of artwork — it is a profound testament to the atrocities of the Holocaust and the enduring strength of the human spirit. These works give a voice to the unspeakable torment of loss, the fragility of newfound freedom, and the resilience to rebuild shattered lives,” said Dani Dayan, chairman, Yad Vashem. “This exhibition compels us not only to reaffirm our shared responsibility and preserve these stories but to act, to remain vigilant against the erosion of basic human values as a result of the spread of contemporary antisemitism and hatred. Yad Vashem is extremely grateful to Mayor Eric Adams for supporting the display of this impactful exhibition.”
“As a grandson of Holocaust survivors and World War II veterans, Holocaust Remembrance and awareness are very personal to me. Remembrance and resilience are integral to our continued fight against antisemitism and hatred in all its forms,” said Mark Treyger, CEO, Jewish Community Relations Council of New York. “Seeing municipal buildings lit in yellow and showcasing the artwork of Jews liberated from Auschwitz in City Hall will remind New Yorkers that the city stands with our Jewish community at this pivotal moment in history. By honoring the memories of the 1 million Jews and thousands of others murdered at Auschwitz, the city reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that such atrocities are never repeated. The Jewish Community Relations Council of New York expresses its profound gratitude to Mayor Adams and his office for honoring Holocaust Remembrance Day in such a meaningful way.”
MAYOR ADAMS ISSUES ORDER REQUIRING CITY AGENCIES TO DESIGNATE CHIEF NONPROFIT OFFICER TO IMPROVE SERVICES, EXPEDITE PAYMENTS TO PROVIDERS
Part of Adams Administration’s Continued Efforts to Enact Policies to Support Vital Nonprofit Sector
NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the issuance of Executive Order 47 instructing agencies that provide oversight to or directly engage in substantial contracting activities or funding arrangements with nonprofits to designate a chief nonprofit officer to report to the Mayor’s Office of Nonprofit Services (MONS) and the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services (MOCS). Each agency chief nonprofit officer will be responsible for coordinating with MONS and MOCS to improve services, provide quality customer service in response to outreach from nonprofits, and expedite payments and communications with nonprofits.
“Nonprofits never hesitate to answer the call to help their fellow New Yorkers. Now, it’s time for government to answer the nonprofit sector’s call for help and ensure they have the tools to succeed,” said Mayor Adams. “Today’s commonsense executive order allows for better, smarter communications, allowing key city agencies to have the right point people focused on answering any and all questions from nonprofits. We look forward to our continued partnership with our nonprofit partners and ensuring they receive the timely support they deserve.”
“At its core, government is about the effective organization and alignment of people,” said MONS Executive Director Michael Sedillo. “By appointing chief nonprofit officers and enhancing interagency collaboration, this executive order ensures that city staff are organized and positioned to nimbly respond to and solve issues affecting our nonprofit partners, freeing them to focus on the critical services they deliver to New Yorkers.”
“Our administration is fundamentally committed to empowering New York City’s nonprofit ecosystem and creating meaningful partnerships that drive community progress,” said Chief Procurement Officer and MOCS Director Lisa Flores. “By mandating the appointment of chief nonprofit officers, we’re breaking down bureaucratic barriers and establishing a strategic framework that directly supports the vital organizations transforming our city’s landscape.”
Executive Order 47 will allow for better communications internally between agencies and externally with nonprofits that work with the city. The designated chief nonprofit officers will be responsible for coordinating with MONS and MOCS, including providing and being accountable for key agency performance data, representing the agency to nonprofits and responding in a timely manner to outreach from nonprofits, serving as or designating a constituent-oriented liaison that can help nonprofits navigate city bureaucracy, and performing other tasks as necessary to support the city’s overall mission to ensure nonprofits are paid for work performed pursuant to city contracts and other funding opportunities in a timely manner. Additionally, the executive order formalizes the production of a performance management dashboard led by MOCS and MONS that will track contract registration and payments — building on the administration’s practices of data-driven decision making.
Today’s announcement also builds on the Adams administration’s continued efforts to support, make significant investments in, and enact policies to support the nonprofit sector in New York City. Earlier this month, Mayor Adams announced progress on several new efforts to help pay nonprofits providers faster. MOCS launched a Payment Backlog Initiative in October 2024, focusing on clearing outstanding payments from Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 to FY25. In three months, over $1 billion was disbursed, and over 3,700 invoices were processed. Since announcing reforms to simplify bureaucratic barriers and allowing nonprofits to invoice faster in summer 2024, the average time to process discretionary contracts making use of this reform dropped from 366 days in FY24 to just 46 days in FY25 — a nearly 90 percent reduction, slashing nearly 11 months of delays. Additionally, the Adams administration launched the Nonprofit FOCUS (Facilitating On-Time Contracting & Urgent Solutions) Working Group, led by Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana Almanzar. Nonprofit FOCUS brings together senior City Hall officials on a weekly basis to examine contract performance data and make key programmatic, policy, or budgetary decisions that support expeditious nonprofit payments.
In March 2024, the Adams administration announced a $741 million investment for an estimated 80,000 human services workers employed by nonprofit organizations with a city contract as part of a new cost-of-living adjustment. The human services workforce — which is overwhelmingly female at 66 percent and 46 percent women of color — remains on the frontlines of the most pressing issues facing the city as they deliver vital services across housing, food access, health services, and asylum seeker services, among other areas. To date, the Adams administration has invested over $1.4 billion towards wage enhancements for the human services sector.
Further, the Adams administration worked with MOCS on the “Clear the Backlog” initiative, which has unlocked over $6 billion in funds for nonprofits that were long overdue, allowing these organizations to get paid for delivering their vital services. Finally, earlier this year, Mayor Adams announced the city’s first-ever Nonprofit Advisory Council. Comprised of leaders and experts in the nonprofit sector, the advisory council works with MONS to serve as a link between the Adams administration and the nonprofit organizations serving New Yorkers.
“Nonprofits make our city tick, boasting $12 billion in contracts with New York City,” said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar. “They provide essential services like foster care, supportive housing, crime prevention, immigrant services, senior care, and community outreach. Paying them on time allows them to grow and thrive. In Albany, I introduced the Get Nonprofits Paid Act so that the city pays all nonprofits in 30 days, and today’s executive order continues our work to expedite payment to nonprofits. All agencies will now have a chief nonprofit officer to serve as a liaison to nonprofit contractors, coordinating with MONS and MOCS so that someone is there making sure service providers get essential resources. This builds upon the success of the Payment Backlog Initiative, which cut processing times almost 90 percent. Together, we will show our respect and gratitude for our nonprofits by giving them the financial support they need.”
“This initiative will make a significant difference in New York City by providing nonprofits with dedicated points of contact, enabling us to navigate challenges more swiftly and efficiently,” said Yaw Appiadu, executive director, Harlem Independent Living Center. “This will allow organizations to focus on what they do best: serving our communities. I am deeply grateful for Mayor Adams’ leadership and his administration’s commitment to advancing this crucial initiative, which will have a lasting, positive impact on the residents of New York City.”
“HELP USA appreciates the city’s efforts to address ongoing challenges related to delayed payments and lengthy contract processes,” said Ronnie Silverman, chief program development officer, HELP USA. “Resolving these persistent issues will allow nonprofits to concentrate on their mission: delivering the essential services that countless New Yorkers rely on every day.”
“We welcome Mayor Adams’ executive order directing all contracting and oversight agencies to establish a chief nonprofit officer,” said Courtney Bryan, chief executive officer, Center for Justice Innovation. “Thousands of nonprofit organizations, like ours, contract with New York City every year to deliver critical services. The steps the city is taking to simplify the contracting process and speed payment will allow these partnerships to remain strong, and the city’s network of nonprofits to continue their important work serving millions of New Yorkers.”
“Establishing the role of chief nonprofit officers has the potential to strengthen the critically important work being done by organizations across New York City,” said Eichakeem McClary, executive vice president, chief legal officer and strategic initiatives; United Way of New York City. “We want to thank the City of New York for looking at innovative ways of strengthening agency infrastructure so that nonprofits can dedicate more of their time and resources to supporting programs that are making a difference in the lives of those most in need. We are excited for the opportunity to partner with the individuals who step into these roles and look forward to the results they will deliver for New Yorkers.”
“Ensuring every nonprofit has a dedicated chief nonprofit officer is a groundbreaking step toward creating a more efficient, transparent, and supportive partnership between the city and our vital nonprofit organizations,” said Dr. Darlene Williams, co-chair, advisory council, MONS. “This initiative, championed by the Mayor’s Office of Nonprofit Services and the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services, underscores the administration’s commitment to streamlining processes and reducing barriers that nonprofits face in contracting and payments. By providing a clear point of contact to resolve issues swiftly, we are empowering nonprofits to focus on their core mission: delivering critical services that strengthen New York City’s social infrastructure. This is a win for nonprofits, a win for communities, and a win for New York City.”
“I want to thank Mayor Adams for recognizing the vital role nonprofits play in providing social services that support New Yorkers across the city by instructing agencies to establish a chief nonprofit officer to help streamline communications and break down silos,” said Annie Minguez Garcia, vice president, Good Shepherd Services. “Today’s executive order will further the administration’s efforts to address procurement challenges nonprofits face and ensure nonprofits are paid on time.”
“Having a chief nonprofit officer embedded in city agencies is akin to having an advocate on staff,” said Damyn Kelly, PhD, president and CEO, Lutheran Social Services of NY. “Being able to communicate directly with someone who can work with you on contracts, payment and other issues, should minimize the time it takes to receive a response to inquiries that impact your ability to do the meaningful work that we are contracted for. I see this as a positive development in strengthening the relationship between government and its contracted nonprofit providers.”
“The creation of a chief nonprofit officer is an excellent step to improving the contracting experience for nonprofit organizations,” said Lisa David, president and CEO, Public Health Solutions. “Contracting delays are caused by issues in various departments within agencies due to a lack of coordination. It has been the burden of the nonprofit to determine where the problem is and then try to get it addressed. With this new position, there will be a single point of contact in the agency who would be accountable for coordinating the various parts of the agency to move contracts and payments forward.”
“Nonprofits do the work every day of delivering services to residents who need support across New York City,” said Dr. Jocelynne Rainey, president and CEO, Brooklyn Org. “They perform critical jobs on behalf of city agencies and deserve prompt payment in return. Establishing a chief nonprofit officer at every city agency will help city government create accountability in the payment process and deliver on its promises to support nonprofits in their essential work for our communities.”
“Nonprofit providers are indispensable for New York City families who depend on them for high-quality early childhood education and other core services,” said Tara N. Gardner, executive director, Day Care Council of New York. “With many organizations enduring ongoing financial challenges, the nonprofit sector needs advocates working within government to help organizations across the city access the critical funds they need to execute and sustain their important work that uplifts New Yorkers every day. The Day Care Council of New York welcomes the establishment of the chief nonprofit officer role in contracting and oversight agencies. We look forward to working with the new chief nonprofits officers to ensure that early childhood contractors receive the millions of dollars owed them for the services they have already provided.”
MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES NEW YORK CITY HAS CONNECTED VICTIMS OF BENEFITS THEFT TO NEARLY $48 MILLION IN REPLACEMENT FUNDS
Department of Social Services Has Approved Claims for Nearly 95,000 Households Whose Food and Cash Benefits Were Electronically Stolen
New Yorkers Can Still Submit Claims for Cash Assistance Benefits and SNAP Benefits Stolen Prior to December 20, 2024
NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Molly Wasow Park today announced that the city has helped nearly 95,000 low-income households whose vital public benefits were electronically stolen recover nearly $48 million in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Cash Assistance (CA) benefits over the last 16 months. Nearly 2 million New Yorkers rely on these federally funded benefits to keep themselves and their families healthy, housed, and fed, but because of security flaws present in Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards, they remain susceptible to having their benefits stolen when they swipe their cards to make a purchase.
“I was one of six siblings raised by a single mother who struggled to put food on the table, and since I took office, I have followed through on my promise to make sure New York City does everything it can to make sure working-class families are not left hungry like we were,” said Mayor Adams. “I am proud of our administration’s work to connect nearly 95,000 vulnerable families with replacement money for food and daily necessities that were cruelly stolen from them. Across the country, benefits are being stolen from the people who need them the most, but New York City is leading the way in ensuring that people are made whole again with nearly $48 million in vital funds. This is just another way we are making our city more affordable and the best place to raise a family.”
“We take great pride in having replaced nearly $48 million in stolen SNAP and CA benefits because we know that New Yorkers rely on these supports to make ends meet, and that losing them can have serious and lasting impacts on entire families as they scramble to make do with less,” said DSS Commissioner Park. “With the federal authorization for replacement SNAP benefits expiring, New Yorkers are again at risk of losing these critical benefits for good. We urge Congress to take decisive action to support these vulnerable households and reauthorize replacement SNAP benefits while EBT cardholders are still susceptible to skimming. We very much appreciate that our partners at the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance are working diligently to protect EBT cardholders from these malicious scams.”
For the households that depend on SNAP and CA, theft of benefits can have serious and lasting impacts, but the availability of replacement benefits has allowed the city to mitigate the damage for nearly 95,000 households across the five boroughs. In New York City, electronic benefits theft typically occurs via “card skimming,” where bad actors copy a cardholder’s card and personal identification number (PIN) information using a skimmer placed over a business’ card reader. This stolen data is then used to access the victim’s EBT account and steal their benefits.
Following the passage of both federal and state legislation allowing for the replacement of stolen SNAP and CA benefits, the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) began accepting claims for replacement benefits on August 21, 2023. As of January 8, 2025, the agency had approved a total of 120,000 distinct skimming claims and $47.7 million in replacement benefits, with replacement SNAP benefits representing roughly 90 percent — or $43 million — of that total value.
However, the federal authorization that allowed for the replacement of stolen SNAP benefits ended on December 20th, 2024, when Congress did not extend the authorization as part of the federal American Relief Act 2025. As a result, HRA is no longer able to issue replacement SNAP benefits for any theft that occurred on or after December 21, 2024. New Yorkers can still file claims for SNAP benefits stolen on or before December 20, 2024, but they must be submitted within 30 days of the discovery of the theft. This change does not impact claims for replacement CA benefits, which are funded and authorized by New York state. Households are limited to one CA benefit replacement per federal fiscal year (October 1 to September 30).
Because replacement SNAP benefits are no longer available, it is incredibly important that New Yorkers exercise caution when using their EBT cards. Skimming overlays are often difficult to detect at a glance, so New Yorkers should carefully inspect card readers before swiping their EBT card. HRA has produced a flyer to help New Yorkers learn to spot the signs of a skimming overlay. Anyone can report a suspected skimming overlay by calling the HRA’s Fraud Unit at 718-557-1399. The agency continues to work with the New York City Department of Investigation to respond to data inquiries, share information about the location of probable skimming devices, and hold thieves accountable for preying on vulnerable households.
To further defend their benefits against bad actors, EBT card holders should also change their PIN frequently, avoid sharing their account information with others, monitor their account for suspicious transactions, and utilize the EBT card freeze function. This function allows cardholders to “freeze” their card when not in use so no transactions can be made. New Yorkers should note that the card freeze does not protect against skimming — as card details can still be copied by a skimming device — but thieves cannot access the benefits on a card if it is frozen. To unfreeze an account, a cardholder can log into their account on the ebtEDGE mobile app or on the ebtEdge website. Following completion of the transaction, the cardholder can then freeze their card again to ensure no further transactions are made.
New Yorkers who have had eligible SNAP or CA benefits stolen may have some or all of their benefits replaced by submitting a claim to HRA either online, through the mail (mail completed forms to: New York City Department of Social Services, P.O. Box 02-9121, Brooklyn GPO, Brooklyn, NY 11202), or in person at any SNAP or Benefits Access Center. When submitting a claim, clients must:
- Report their cards as stolen on the ebtEdge website, through the ebtEDGE app, or by calling EBT Customer Service at 888-328-6399.
- Document information, including case number, Client Identification Number of the head of household, and mailing address.
- Report the date the client became aware of the fraudulent activity, first date benefits were stolen, last date benefits were stolen, location where each fraudulent transaction occurred, amount of each fraudulent transaction, and total amount of benefits stolen.
A video guide for submitting a claim is also available online.
MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES REMOVAL OF 20,000+ ILLEGAL FIREARMS FROM NEW YORK CITY STREETS SINCE BEGINNING OF ADAMS ADMINISTRATION
Gun Seizures Have Contributed to 23 Percent Reduction in Homicides and 42 Percent Reduction in Shootings Since January 2022
3,000 More Firearms Were Removed from 2022 to 2024 Than Previous Three-Year Period
NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced that the New York City Police Department (NYPD) has removed more than 20,000 illegal firearms from New York City streets since the beginning of the administration — which is approximately 3,000 more guns off our streets than the previous three-year period from 2019 to 2021. Because of the Adams administration’s steadfast focus on eradicating gun violence, homicides and shootings have consistently declined over the last three years — with homicides decreasing a total of 22.7 percent and shootings decreasing 42.2 percent since Mayor Adams was sworn in on January 1, 2022. Additionally, 2024 was the fourth lowest year for shooting incidents citywide since the NYPD CompStat management system began tracking crime statistics over 30 years ago, in 1993.
“The North Star of our administration has been safer streets, safer subways, and a safer city for New York families,” said Mayor Adams. “And that means taking on the issue of gun violence. The NYPD has removed more than 20,000 illegal firearms from our streets since the day I was sworn in as your mayor. That’s 20,000 weapons that no longer threaten the safety of our neighborhoods, our families, and our children. That’s 20,000 fewer chances that a New Yorker is shot or killed — 20,000 rivers of violence dammed up before they flood our city. This is a major milestone. Over the past three years, we launched Neighborhood Safety Teams and established the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force — we invested in diversion programs, targeted the root causes of gun violence, raised expectations, and increased enforcement across the board. Because of our steadfast focus on eradicating gun violence, New York City continues to be the safest big city in America.”
“Since the start of this administration, the NYPD has successfully taken a staggering 20,000 illegal guns off the streets of New York City — weapons that pose a serious threat to all our communities,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “Whether on the streets or in the subways, our officers work tirelessly to seize these weapons, and the results are clear: shootings are down 42 percent throughout the city. Every single gun we seize is a potential life saved and tragedy averted, and we will continue our efforts to crack down on illegal trafficking and protect New Yorkers from this violence.”
The NYPD is New York City’s first line of defense against gun violence, and officers continue to take firearms off the streets in record numbers every day. The consistent decreases in homicides over the last three years have saved 268 lives and resulted in 1,500 fewer shooting victims during the Adams administration. Year-to-date, in 2025, there have already been 350 illegal firearms removed from city streets, as NYPD officers continue to save lives.
Every firearm taken off a city street is only one part of the equation — ensuring meaningful consequences for the small percentage of New Yorkers who possess illegal firearms and commit violence is another. The 2019 state legislative changes to discovery were necessary to improve the fairness of the criminal justice system, however some of the consequences have crippled the system, leading to case dismissals for technical violations and increased case processing times, including for firearm charges. Prior to discovery reform, local district attorneys declined to prosecute or dismissed 32 percent of non-violent felony cases in New York City — that number increased to 51 percent in 2023.
Out of the more than 20,000 guns seized, more than 1,400 of them have been identified as ghost guns — unserialized (and therefore untraceable) firearms that are put together by components purchased either as a kit or as separate pieces or printed through 3-D printers, and that are fully functioning as fully finished, serialized firearm. These untraceable firearms often end up in the hands of criminals, as well as underage purchasers. Incidents involving ghost guns reflect a dangerously escalating trend — one that the NYPD is leading the charge against. The NYPD recovered 17 ghost guns in 2018, 48 in 2019, 150 in 2020, 263 in 2021, 585 in 2022, 394 in 2023 and 438 in 2024.
In July 2024, Mayor Adams led the charge urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold common sense ghost gun regulations. Along with Mayors Against Illegal Guns and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., Mayor Adams announced the filing of an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in Garland v. VanDerStok, in support of federal regulations issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that require ghost gun parts to have serial numbers and compel background checks for prospective buyers of ghost gun home-assembly kits.
Ending gun violence continues to be Mayor Adams’ top priority. In his first month in office, in January 2022, Mayor Adams released the “Blueprint to End Gun Violence,” which laid out his priorities to immediately address the crisis of guns on New York City streets. Pursuant to the blueprint, in March 2022, the NYPD launched its Neighborhood Safety Teams to focus on gun violence prevention in areas that account for a disproportionate amount of citywide shootings.
Mayor Adams’ comprehensive gun violence strategy also includes upstream solutions guided by the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force he established in June 2022, which focuses on diversion programs, prevention efforts, and expanded opportunities for young people — all targeting the root causes of gun violence to ensure a safer environment for all New Yorkers. The task force’s commitments are formalized in the “Blueprint for Community Safety,” an investment of nearly $500 million to create safer, more resilient communities, with a focus on intervention and prevention.
The Adams administration also leads the Gun Violence Strategies Partnership, a 30+ multi-agency law enforcement partnership focused on strengthening investigations and prosecutions of the most severe gun offenders who drive violence in New York City. Members of the team meet every weekday morning to review felony gun violence arrests from the previous 24 hours and share intelligence to ensure perpetrators are held accountable and New Yorkers are kept safe. The partnership reviewed more than 700 cases in 2024, resulting in 85.5 percent of individuals held on bail or remand.
“Like so many communities across the country, New York City has been deeply affected by gun violence,” said U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “I am pleased to see progress in getting these deadly weapons off our streets, and I am proud that my anti-gun trafficking statute in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act has directly helped law enforcement recover hundreds of illegal guns in New York City. I will continue working with my colleagues in Congress to pass commonsense gun safety legislation that protects our communities.”
“I am heartened to hear that our violence prevention and intervention efforts are working,” said New York State Senator Cordell Cleare. “However, I remain committed to addressing the entire spectrum of social determinants of violence including housing, poverty, discrimination, and inequity.”
“I am taking charge in Albany to end gun violence. I passed the SMOKEOUT Act to padlock the illegal smoke shops attracting armed robberies, and introduced legislation to require registration and background checks for 3-D printed firearms,” said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar. “I commend Mayor Adams and the NYPD for their tremendous work tackling gun violence in New York City. In three years, they have taken over 20,000 firearms off our streets — about 3,000 more than the previous three — saving us from countless tragedies. The proof is in the numbers: shootings are down 42.2 percent since the mayor took office, and murders down 22.7 percent. Together, we will develop every solution to stop gun violence once and for all.”
“Every gun off of our streets is a potential life saved, as demonstrated by these encouraging statistics,” said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr. “In Manhattan, working hand-in-hand with our exceptional law enforcement partners at the NYPD, we are proud to have driven down murders by 20 percent and shootings by 45 percent since 2021. We will continue to prioritize combatting gun violence by strategically targeting drivers of violence, gun traffickers, and ghost gun manufacturers, while working with our communities and investing in prevention.”
“There are no gun manufacturers in New York City, but we have lost far too many lives to gun violence throughout our history,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “I know the unimaginable pain of losing a close friend to gun violence, so I’m deeply grateful to our government, community and law enforcement partners for their tireless work taking as many guns off our streets as possible. I look forward to continued success in this area and to seeing fewer and fewer people fall victim to senseless gun violence.”
Banner Image: Holocaust Remembrance Day. Image Credit – Mayor Adams
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