War on Rats, Hear From The Mayor, Business District In East Harlem, New Public Restrooms In All Five Boroughs, Summer Streets Expansion, Money In Taxi Drivers’ Pockets, Extreme Heat:Mayor Adams

War on Rats, Hear From The Mayor, Business District In East Harlem, New Public Restrooms In All Five Boroughs, Summer Streets Expansion, Money In Taxi Drivers’ Pockets, Extreme Heat: Mayor Adams

 

Editor’s note: Last week, readers learned about the doula training programs available to New York City’s low income residents, so that they can have a fulfilling career helping others, particularly those in marginalized communities, give birth in a hospital with the assistance of a doula. His opinion piece focused on attaining the goal of universal childcare in New York City for low income residents. 

 

MAYOR ADAMS HOSTS “HEAR FROM THE MAYOR” RADIO SHOW

Gary Byrd: Well normally each and every second Sunday of the month WBLS is proud to welcome the 110th mayor of New York City, second mayor of color [and] the first hip-hop mayor in the city’s history. But it’s primary time and so indeed you’re hearing back to back from our Mayor Eric L. Adams right here from 107.5 WBLS. Mr. Mayor, good morning and welcome. 

Mayor Eric Adams: Hey brother, how are you? You know it’s good to speak with you and the audience this morning. We got a really good show today but I want to welcome everyone back to Hear from the Mayor, from your Mayor Eric Adams. 

And if this is your first time tuning in to the program please, there’s several ways to hear from me, listeners could call and hear directly from me but you can also sign up and hear from me by visiting nyc.gov/hearfromeric. You can sign up to our website to text with Eric and talk with me on WhatsApp.But today you can call 212-545-1075, 212-545-1075. 

So today we are going to talk about an initiative that means a lot to me, financial literacy. It’s something that we often ignore, particularly with our young people. 

We want them to be academically smart, but it’s about emotional intelligence and all of the skills they’re going to need to be productive citizens in life. And we did a huge rollout at Brooklyn Collegiate Public School and about our financial literacy education with our young people. 

We use a term, it’s called FLY, F-L-Y as an acronym. And while I was there I met just an impressive young man, Jalen Waters. You know keep an eye on him and you know this guy is solid as a rock he [opened] for us and just sitting there listening to him. 

You know people talk about our young boys, particularly young boys of color and you have a question mark wondering what the future looks like for them but Jalen took that question mark into an exclamation point, we’re going to be fine. 

He understands the importance of financial literacy and we know that it’s not just about chemistry bonds, it’s about stocks and bonds. And it’s something that’s not taught to our young people. When Jordan, my son, went to American University on the campus, it was nothing but these credit card sign-ups. And he signed up, got a credit card, and went into the high levels. 

When I graduated from high school and college, my credit score was dismal. People don’t know how much that impacts your life. And so to have a young man like Jalen in the studio with us here at Gracie Mansion to dig into, is something that we’re really looking forward to engaging into a conversation. 

So parents, if you have someone young getting ready to start out in life, you should have them sit in and listen to this program and hear directly, from not only a leader of tomorrow, but a leader today. So Jalen, I’m going to turn the mic over to you. Talk about where you get your interest from in financial literacy?

Jalen Waters: Basically, my interest in financial literacy came when I was a little younger. My parents always introduced little things about credit, crypto, stocks and stuff like that. And as I grew older, I just feel like it’s become more important to me because I’m about to be in the stage of my life where money is becoming more important. 

And I don’t want to be behind. So I feel like financial literacy just helps you get ahead of the game and prevents you from making costly mistakes in the future. And it can open up doors that not everybody gets to have open for them.

Mayor Adams: Well said. And you know, our announcement this week, Financial Literacy for Youth. As I say, the acronym is FLY. We’re gonna be doing a couple of things, introducing them to all sorts of forms of credit, understanding credit scores, understanding, as Jalen just stated, Bitcoins, crypto. 

You know, I took my first three paychecks as mayor in Bitcoins. You know, everybody thought I was crazy. They were laughing at me. Now they see how well Bitcoins are doing and I’m laughing at them. 

You know, but learning those different aspects is important. And so when you think about financial literacy, what comes to mind, what do you believe your peers should know about it?

Waters: I feel that a big part of financial literacy is also being taught about entrepreneurship. I feel like the school system and stuff like that, they teach us how to work for a business and work in one and not how to really run one or administer one. 

And I also think that investing in stocks and crypto is a big, important thing and teaching people how to read the stock market and informing more people about the significance of investing in crypto, seeing more things are becoming technological in the future and also how to use credit to your advantage and stuff like that.

Mayor Adams: It’s interesting, you said something, you’re probably the first generation where you are going to be more focused on running your business and not working for someone, you know? 

And I think that, when I grew up, it was all about go get a job, not start a company. And I hear young people like yourself constantly talk about, “Hey, I wanna run my own business. I wanna do my own business.” If you were to go into your own business, what type of business would you think of going into?

Waters: I’m in a little partnership with my cousin, he owns a exotic rental car company. And that’s basically like, brokering.  But I feel like I would wanna pursue that situation, because I enjoy driving cars. 

I enjoy working on my own time. I enjoy stuff like that. So I feel like businesses, online businesses are also big things that I also value having free time and being able to work on my own schedule as well.

Mayor Adams: And you know, you’re talking about owning an exotic car business. All I had was a lemonade stand, you know what I’m saying? Think about that. I was getting five cents a glass. You talk about exotic cars, you know. How much has social media changed the game in like becoming your own entrepreneur?

Waters: Social media, it played a big role because like you see all these other people doing it and it’s like, [], I could do the same thing as well. And it’s, you got it right in front of your face. You have all the tools right in front of your face. 

It’s not like back in the days where you gotta go scouring for information, it’s right in front of you. So you see other people, you have other people give you tips. It’s just up to you. It’s up to you to put the work in and make it happen.

Mayor Adams: When you work for yourself, you are willing to put the time in, and it’s so important. And so now, I know when we were off, you were talking about how your dad talked about the importance of this. 

And so it really is an important conversation that parents should be having with their children now. You know, what are some of the tips your dad gave you?

Waters: So one of the tips my dad gave me was just basically using my money the right way. And him and my mother, they basically put me as an authorized user on their credit card. So like before I’m 18. 

Mayor Adams: Wow, wow. 

Waters: So I have established credit and stuff like that. So as the time goes on, I just have established credit history and it just puts me in a better place and advantage and stuff like that. 

But just being smarter with my money, like not always having to have impulse control, not always having to spend, also being able to save and knowing where to invest and just basically, like I said before, having your money work for you.

Mayor Adams: You’ll be surprised how many pearls you’re dropping because if we were to do an analysis with the overwhelming number of high school students and ask about credit scores. Many of them probably won’t even know about it. 

I had no idea what credit scores were and savings, as you were saying. So in households where parents don’t know, how do you develop that? I just want to hear some of your thoughts. 

How do you develop that communication where we have to, where the young people can actually educate their parents because many parents probably have terrible credit scores and don’t understand what credit cards can do to them. So how do you think leaders like yourself could talk to their parents about it?

Waters: I feel like there’s a lot of kids that teach their parents things as well. And I was just talking about this earlier, like with the initiative being brought to schools, having a younger generation, basically coming back, parents always asking, “Oh, what did you learn in school today?And “How is this going?” Now you tell them that it’s like oh wow, you open their eyes a little bit.

So people learn, you can never stop learning. So it’s always stuff that can open your eyes, and I feel like hearing that from your kid will make it more impactful. 

Mayor Adams: And you know, it’s powerful about never stop learning. People lose the possibilities if they believe if a person is younger than them in generations that you can’t learn from them, which is so far from true. 

I was with a young streamer, Kai Cenat. He talks to millions of young people and he and I were talking about some of the violence we’re seeing in the Bronx. So can you imagine if someone like Kai Cenat brought you on and talked about financial literacy? Now you’re all of a sudden opening the eyes of young people all over the globe. 

The two things that impact you the most as an adult is your finance and health. If you don’t have your finances in order, you’re constantly going through mental stress. And if your health is not in order, you’re also going to go through stress. 

And so what you’re doing with financial literacy and understanding that is helping you invest now so you can be ready for the future. And if you are out there, what would you encourage young people to do with just some simple tips that you encourage them?

Waters: I’ll say just do your research and I read more books and stuff like that. Just reading books about your mindset. I feel like mindset is the most important thing, but get a secure card for credit that helps build credit. 

Like I said before, asking somebody with good credit spending habits to put you under their credit card as an authorized user before 18 that helps build it. And just like, just keep learning and keep making smart decisions with your money, not just going to blow it all at one point.

Mayor Adams: What are your financial goals by the time you hit 25?

Waters: By the time I hit 25,  I want to have little to no student loan debt after graduating. Have over five to ten thousand dollars invested throughout stocks and crypto because that’s around six years. I feel like that to be a good amount and have an emergency savings account. 

So I have confidence in myself no matter what. I always have something to fall back on and just become more emotionally intelligent and learn how to manage my emotions when it comes with their finances as well.

Mayor Adams: When you’re speaking with your friends and peers, do they get into conversations about financial literacy?

Waters: At times, yeah. I try to put myself in friend groups and stuff like that that align with my viewpoints and stuff. But we also do have good conversations and stuff like that as well, which I feel helps me build character and get more knowledge as well, being able to have those conversations.

Mayor Adams: Your peers are on the same mindset that you are when it comes down to financial literacy?

Waters: A few of them, not everybody is up here.

Mayor Adams: But you gotta bring them with you sometimes. You know, some of my friends I’m still in contact with throughout the years. And you know, when I was talking about running for mayor, they didn’t have that same aspiration. 

But, you know, we bring people along as we go along. So we’re doing this program in fifteen districts across the city, from Staten Island to the Bronx. Our goal is to really empower our young people about financial literacy. 

We don’t want folks to wear their wealth. If all that you have is on your back or on your shoes, on your feet, or in the pocketbooks that you have, that’s not where your wealth should be. 

Your wealth, if you save right now, you can live right later. And that’s the goal that we’re trying to put in place. But we want to make it attractive. And that’s why, as we do this, we want to speak to folks like you to find out exactly how attractive it should be. 

Now, you’re heading off to college. You already know where you’re going, right? 

Waters: Yeah, I’ll be attending North Carolina A&T in the spring semester.

Mayor Adams: Why did you choose that school? 

Waters: I did want to go to HBCU, but I also saw that they have a good business program and that’s just something that I wanted to be aligned with. 

Mayor Adams: And your major is going to be what? 

Waters: Business administration. 

Mayor Adams: And you want to eventually own your own business. You know, what type? 

Waters: Not exactly sure what type, I just want to explore my—I feel like college is going to help open that up for me and figure out what I want to do.

Mayor Adams: And when you build the foundations of the principles of business, you can always decide what business you want to do, but it’s about understanding the principles of business. And it comes with knowing how to manage your money in a real way, and purchase some real estate, purchase your home, so you’re not always being a renter in the process. 

Really happy to speak to Jalen this morning. We’re gonna take a break, and when we come back, you could ask Jalen, or you could ask me any questions you have, but it’s about paying yourself first. You pay yourself first and over time it grows and you’ll be able to see the fruits of those investments. 

212-545-1075, 212-545-1075. You can speak with me or you can speak to the future billionaire that’s in the studio with me, Jalen Waters.

Byrd: The program is Hear from the Mayor and the mayor wants to hear from you two one 212-545-1075, that’s 212-545-1075. We’ll come back right after this break from 107.5 WBLS. 

[Commercial Break.]

Byrd: Well normally it’s each and every second Sunday of the month but it’s primary season and as a result we have a special edition of Hear from the Mayor. And the mayor wants to hear from you, 212-545-1075. Here he is, Mayor Eric Adams.

Mayor Adams: Thanks so much Gary, we’re talking about money. How do you handle your money? And we’re in the room with Jalen Waters and he has really dropped some pearls on us. 

But why don’t we open up to the phones? You could ask either one of us any questions that you want. So please dial in today and reach out to us. You can call us at 212-545-1075. Caller, you’re in the air. 

Question: Hello, good morning. 

Mayor Adams: Hello, how are you? Good morning. 

Question: Good. I’m calling about NYCHA. In NYCHA, you have 7,000 vacant apartments in NYCHA now, but in the shelter, it costs a family of two to live in the shelter $5,000 a month. How can this cost be justified, and what can be done for it? This is done on your watch. Thank you.

Mayor Adams: Yeah, and brother, everything that happens in the city is under my watch, and this is a city, as Jay-Z would say, “99 problems,” and you know, I got to face them all, and the problem of NYCHA didn’t start January 1st, 2022. 

I’ve been the mayor for three years and six months, and although we build more housing in our individual years that are affordable in the history of the city, moved more people out of shelter into permanent housing in individual years in the history of the city, moved more people with vouchers into permanent housing in the history of the city in individual years. 

And so we know the complexity of NYCHA. So let me break this down for you quickly. One, NYCHA is under a special monitor. I no longer have direct control over NYCHA. This is what these special monitors do. They make millions of dollars. The same problem that I faced with NYCHA when we came in is basically going on now. 

Now, each time someone moves out of an apartment, it has to go through an extensive renovation and abatement issue. Sometimes it has lead, sometimes it has internal problems in its walls. We were the first administration to include NYCHA in our housing plan. Never before has that been done. 

We’ve been able to get land trespass up in Albany and other programs so that we can deal with the debt and the problems that NYCHA has. NYCHA has an over $80 billion capital debt, $80 billion dollars.  

The federal government has disinvested in NYCHA, the state government has disinvested in NYCHA, and we have been left holding the bag without complete control over NYCHA. 

So it’s under my watch, but someone else has the ability to make the decisions there, not the mayor of the City of New York, which I think is wrong. So help me advocate to give control back to me, and we can see some better changes there. 

Caller you’re on the air.

Question: Good morning, Mr. Adams. 

Mayor Adams: Good morning. 

Question:I’m calling because we still haven’t fixed this issue with our retention bonus, and I’ve addressed this with you a couple of times on the air and in person, but we’re still stuck. 

And it’s a perfect topic that you guys are talking about money, because we’re city workers and we’re still not getting the money that we deserve. We’re still being penalized for taking vacations, we’re still penalized for having personal days, using our time, going to the doctor. 

And it doesn’t make sense in the city— if myself and my co-workers don’t show up to work, nobody in the city gets help. We are before the Fire Department, we are before EMS, and if you don’t speak to us first, you don’t get help. And we deserve our money. 

It’s still in the air. And our union is even telling us not to reach out to the public, not to reach out to officials. And even people that did get their money, they’re being told, people who didn’t get it before, if the contract, you can’t go back. So it’s not fair. 

I’ve been there 22 years. So because I take time off, because I use my vacation, if I use too much vacation in one period, I’m taken out. What about people that have been there five and more years?

Mayor Adams: Okay, sister, I want to get to the other callers. We’re very much familiar with this issue and the consistency, you should continue to advocate and be a voice. And we reached out, I came over there and I spoke with you and I walked through and I heard some of the issues. 

In this city, much of these contractual issues are through your union. We gave DC 37 one of the best contracts in this history with a 98 percent ratification rate. When people voted on that contract, there’s still aspects of the contract that we have to continue to negotiate. 

I brought this to my commissioner of Labor, Commissioner Campion, and we’re going to continue to communicate with your union to make sure that you get the support you deserve. But I encourage you, it’s your union that is a negotiating bargain that must come to the table. 

Callers, we’re out of time. We try to keep it tight with the questions so we could answer as many as possible. But thank you, and I want to thank Jalen as he’s getting ready to take this great journey into college, and thank all of you for calling in and listening in. Let’s continue to move our city forward. Thank you very much. 

 

 

 

MAYOR ADAMS AND NYC PARKS COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ-ROSA CONTINUE “WE OUTSIDE SUMMER” BY ANNOUNCING NEW PUBLIC RESTROOMS ARE NOW OPEN IN ALL FIVE BOROUGHS, EXPANDING BATHROOM ACCESS CITYWIDE

Sleek, Ready-Made Toilets Get Built Faster and for Fraction of the Cost 

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa today celebrated the installation of five brand-new toilets, also known as “Portland Loos,” at parks across the five boroughs, the city’s latest investment in expanding bathroom access to all New Yorkers. The $6 million pilot program identified five neighborhoods with insufficient access to public restrooms to serve as the first five homes for the futuristic, ready-made, public restrooms, which cost a fraction of the price of a traditional public restroom building and take less time to build. As “We Outside Summer” continues, this announcement ensures more New Yorkers can have a safe, enjoyable summer in New York City outside.

The new facilities are part of “Ur In Luck” — an effort launched by Mayor Adams in June 2024 to expand New Yorkers’ access to public restrooms across all five boroughs — and are the latest example of the Adams administration’s commitment to expanding access to public restrooms so New Yorkers can enjoy uninterrupted time in the city’s shared parks and natural areas. The Adams administration is investing over $150 million through 2029 to construct new public restrooms and renovate existing facilities, as outlined in the “Vital Parks for All” framework.

“Let’s be honest, when nature calls, New Yorkers shouldn’t have to cut their fun short. Today, we are relieving one of the biggest obstacles to enjoying our parks and public spaces,” said Mayor Adams. “We’re proud to be rolling out our new, sleek bathrooms across all five boroughs, which will ensure New Yorkers across our city can soak up more of the sun this summer with friends and loved ones without having to worry about where to go when they have to go. The bathrooms cost less, are quicker to build, and will improve quality of life for New Yorkers so they can spend more time enjoying one of the best parts of this city: our shared outdoors spaces.”

“As the largest provider of public restrooms in New York City, NYC Parks is committed to delivering on our mission to care for park visitors by providing safe and clean amenities,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Rodriguez-Rosa. “We are excited to welcome the first of these innovative, ADA-accessible restrooms to all five boroughs to give New Yorkers more options when they need relief.”

As part of Ur In Luck, NYC Parks committed to build 46 new restrooms and renovate 36 existing restrooms through 2029, and the city unveiled a Google Maps layer that New Yorkers can activate on their phones to easily find the locations of every public restroom operated by a wide-range of agencies and civic institutions citywide.

First developed in Portland, Oregon, the “Loo” is a sleek, metallic facility that is easy to maintain and can be installed for a fraction of the price of a traditional restroom. The ready-made units include a baby changing station and can be connected to full utilities for year-round use.

While traditional public restrooms typically cost at least $3.5 million to construct, each Loo was constructed for only $1 million per location, plus some additional site-specific costs. The Loo can also be constructed up to a full year faster than a traditional public restroom. In addition to being faster and more cost efficient, the toilets are prefabricated, meaning most of the parts have been made in the factory and just need to be assembled when they arrive on-site. This allows for increased quality control of the construction, limits the time and impact construction has on the public, and reduces weather-related delays.

Currently, 70 percent of New Yorkers live within a 10-minute walk of the over 700 restrooms across the five boroughs managed by NYC Parks. The department identified five neighborhoods that were underserved by the existing public restroom network to host the first five Loos in New York City.

The new toilets are installed at Joyce Kilmer Park in the Bronx, Irving Square Park in Brooklyn, Thomas Jefferson Park in Manhattan, Hoyt Playground in Queens, and Father Macris Park in Staten Island. Public access to restrooms in parks can be found through the Vital Parks Explorer, a digital tool that connects New Yorkers with the many resources that NYC Parks offers people across the city, in their local communities and even on their specific blocks.

The “Better Bathrooms” strategic initiative unveiled through the Vital Parks for All framework outlines an investment of over $150 million in restroom construction and renovations. Using a combination of innovative design, construction approaches and partnerships, NYC Parks plans to complete 46 brand-new public restrooms to open to the public by 2029. Additionally, 36 more public restrooms will receive full renovations by 2029, extending the lifetimes of these vital facilities. NYC Parks is also investing in clean and accessible restrooms with the Second Shift program, which devotes an additional shift of cleaning to 200 hotspots across 121 parks citywide, including at public restrooms.

 

MAYOR ADAMS SIGNS LEGISLATION TO PUT MONEY INTO POCKETS OF TAXI AND FOR-HIRE VEHICLE DRIVERS 

Intro. 1050 Will Limit Amount of Personal Injury Insurance Coverage TLC May Require for Licensed Vehicles

Announcement Builds on Adams Administration’s Work to Put Money in Pockets of Working Families

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today signed Intro. 1050 into law, limiting the amount of personal injury insurance coverage that the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) may require for licensed vehicles. This legislation will prohibit TLC from requiring the vehicles it licenses to have personal injury protection (also known as no-fault) liability coverage over 200 percent of the amount required by state law, putting more money back into the pockets of TLC-licensed drivers across New York City.

“TLC-licensed drivers keep our city moving,” said Mayor Adams. “Many of these working-class New Yorkers are immigrants trying to build a better life here in the Big Apple, but for too long, our TLC-Licensed drivers have had to pay higher rates for no fault or personal injury insurance for their vehicles, burdening drivers and owners with thousands of dollars in costs and putting pressure on their monthly bills. Today, we’re changing that — by signing this legislation, we are putting money back into the pockets of drivers, limiting the amount of liability coverage they can be required to have, so they can continue to spend their money on the essentials: bills, groceries, rent, and medicine. Our drivers deserve their fair share, and we are giving it to them. I want to thank our partners for their work on this important issue.”

Intro. 1050 — sponsored by New York City Councilmember Carmen De La Rosa — both keeps high personal injury protection (PIP) coverage in place, while increasing affordability. New Yorkers use for-hire vehicles more than any other city in America, and by rightsizing the required PIP coverage, both drivers and passengers will still have the highest PIP protections in the state, 200 percent of the amount required by state law, while also saving drivers money.

Today’s bill signing builds on the work Mayor Adams has done to support working-class New Yorkers. Since taking office, the Adams administration has worked to bring costs down and put money back into the pockets of working families. Mayor Adams successfully worked to propose and pass “Axe the Tax for the Working Class” to abolish New York City personal income taxes for more than 429,600 filers and their dependents, and lower taxes for over 152,500 additional New Yorkers and their dependents. The Adams administration has already saved New Yorkers more than $30 billion by connecting people to city, state, and federal programs, including a historic expansion of the New York City Earned Income Tax Credit, which delivered an average benefit of approximately $450 per household.

 

CITY OFFICIALS URGE NEW YORKERS TO STAY SAFE DURING EXTREME HEAT 

 

 

 

Cooling Centers Will be Open Across Five Boroughs 

 

 

 

Call 311 or Visit City’s Cool Options Finder to Find Nearest Cooling Center Location, Hours

 

 

 

New Yorkers Encouraged to Seek Air-Conditioned Cool Options, Including Public Spaces Like NYC Cooling Centers, or Private Cool Options Such as Homes of Friends or Family

 

 

 

NEW YORK — New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) are urging New Yorkers to take precautions ahead of hot and humid weather. Heat index values on Friday are forecast to reach levels near 105°F. An Air Quality Health Alert has also been issued with a forecasted Air Quality Index of 101 – Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. Scattered severe thunderstorms are possible Friday afternoon through Friday night. The main threat is damaging wind gusts, which can down trees, power lines, and unsecured objects. Residents should secure outdoor items and stay indoors during storms. There is also a minor but localized risk of flash flooding. City agencies are actively coordinating to monitor conditions and respond as needed.

 

 

 

“As we prepare for another day of intense heat, our city is preparing all New Yorkers to meet the moment,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “We are deploying every tool and resource available to keep New Yorkers safe — from cooling centers and targeted outreach to coordinated emergency response. But we can’t do it alone; we need every New Yorker to make a plan to stay cool and hydrated, limit outdoor activity during peak heat hours, conserve energy where possible, and look out for one another.”

 

 

 

“With our fourth heat emergency of the season underway, New Yorkers must continue to look out for one another,” said NYCEM Commissioner Zach Iscol. “As temperatures soar to nearly 100 degrees on Friday, we urge all New Yorkers to take the heat seriously. Stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activities, and most importantly, find places in your neighborhood to cool down, so you and your family avoid the dangerous consequences of heat illness.”

 

 

 

“As the summer heats up, New Yorkers face a silent risk — extreme heat,” said DOHMH Acting Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. “Each year, over 500 lives are lost to extreme heat. If you don’t have air conditioning at home, we encourage you to take advantage of a Cooling Center, a library, or a shopping mall to stay safe. If you plan to be outside, stay in the shade, drink plenty of water, and take as many breaks as you need. And please check in on your neighbors and loved ones, especially if they’re older. A quick call or visit could save a life.”

 

 

 

New Yorkers are urged to take steps to protect themselves and help others who may be at increased risk from the heat. For more information, including heat-related health tips and warning signs of heat illness, visit NYCEM’s Beat The Heat website. In New York City, most heat-related deaths occur after exposure to heat in homes without air conditioners. Air conditioning is the best way to stay safe and healthy when it is hot outside, but some people at risk of heat illness do not have or do not turn on an air conditioner.

 

 

 

NYCEM has activated the city’s Heat Emergency Plan in response to this extreme heat event. The plan brings together agencies across the city to protect New Yorkers from heat-related risks. Key actions include opening New York City Cooling Centers, expanding outreach to people experiencing homelessness, increasing public information efforts, and monitoring health impacts in real time. Agencies are also identifying and assisting residents at highest risk, including older adults and people with chronic health conditions, through coordinated outreach and targeted alerts using the city’s Advanced Warning System. The plan also strengthens coordination with utilities, healthcare providers, and community organizations to reduce risks and protect public health during extreme heat.

 

 

 

To help New Yorkers find relief from the heat, New York City Cooling Centers will be open throughout the five boroughs. Cooling center locations may have changed from last year. To find a cooling center, including accessible facilities, call 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115) or visit the city’s Cool Options Map. New Yorkers can now also find cooling centers that welcome pets throughout the five boroughs. As a reminder, service animals are always allowed at cooling centers. The map is now available around the clock and allows New Yorkers to easily locate cooling centers, which the city opens during heat emergencies, and Cool Options, which include free spaces that offer air-conditioned spaces to escape the heat.

 

 

 

New Yorkers can access a range of outdoor cooling options, including spray showers, drinking fountains, and more. These resources can be found online at Cool It! NYC. Many of these resources are located in neighborhoods across New York City. New York City outdoor pools are open. State Parks, including Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park pool and Roberto Clemente State Park pool are open, call ahead to confirm.

 

 

 

During extreme weather emergencies, New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS) outreach teams intensify around-the-clock efforts across the five boroughs, implementing best practices and health guidance as they engage New Yorkers experiencing unsheltered homelessness while encouraging them to access shelter and cooler settings. As part of these enhanced outreach efforts, DHS and provider outreach teams also offer water and other essentials while prioritizing the health and safety of vulnerable New Yorkers who are known to them. New Yorkers who see individuals they believe to be experiencing homelessness and in need should contact 311 via phone or mobile app and request outreach assistance.

 

 

 

Additional Health and Safety Tips During Extreme Heat

 

 

 

Those most vulnerable to heat stress include adults aged 60 and older and people with health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, mental health conditions, or people with cognitive impairment. Check on people who are at-risk and help them find a cool place to stay during heat events.

 

 

 

Go to an air-conditioned location, even if for a few hours.

Stay out of the sun and avoid extreme temperature changes.

Avoid strenuous activity, especially during the sun’s peak hours from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. If strenuous activity is necessary, New Yorkers should conduct it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4:00 AM and 7:00 AM.

Remember: drink water, rest, and locate shade if working outdoors or if work is strenuous. Drink water every 15 minutes even if not thirsty (avoid beverages containing alcohol or caffeine), rest in the shade, and watch out for others on outdoor teams.

Eat small, frequent meals.

Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.

Participate in activities to keep cool, such as going to the movies, visiting museums, walking in an air-conditioned mall, or swimming at an outdoor pool or beach.

Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens and, in apartments where children live, window guards. Air conditioners in buildings more than six stories must be installed with brackets so they are secured and cannot fall on someone below.

Never leave a child or pets in the vehicle, even for a few minutes.

 

 

Working Safely in Extreme Heat

 

 

 

If working outdoors during extreme heat:

 

 

 

Employers must provide water, rest, and shade.

Use the buddy system to watch for signs of heat illness in yourself and coworkers.

Drink water every 15 to 20 minutes, even if not thirsty, and take regular breaks in shaded or cool areas.

Reschedule or limit strenuous work during peak heat hours (11:00 AM to 4:00 PM).

Wear light, loose-fitting clothing to help stay cool.

Apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher and reapply as needed.

 

 

Know the Warning Signs of Heat Illness

 

 

 

New Yorkers should call 911 immediately if they or someone they know has:

 

 

 

Hot dry skin.

Trouble breathing.

Rapid heartbeat.

Confusion, disorientation, or dizziness.

Nausea and vomiting.

 

 

If someone feels weak or faint, they should go to a cool place and drink water. If there is no improvement, call a doctor or 911.

 

 

 

Keeping Pets Safe

 

 

 

Avoid dehydration: Pets can dehydrate quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water.

Walk dogs in the morning and evening: When the temperature is very high, do not let dogs linger on hot asphalt. A pet’s body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn.

Know when a pet is in danger: Symptoms of overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, unresponsiveness, or even collapse.

 

 

Improper Fire Hydrant Use

 

 

 

Improperly opened fire hydrants waste over 1,000 gallons of water per minute and lower pressure needed to fight fires. New Yorkers who want to cool off in fire hydrants are asked to use a city-issued spray cap to reduce output to 25 gallons per minute. Residents 18 and older can request a spray cap at their local firehouse.

 

 

 

Energy-Saving Tips

 

 

 

During periods of intense electrical usage, such as on hot, humid days, it is important to conserve energy as much as possible to avoid brownouts and other electrical disruptions. While diminishing power usage may seem inconvenient, cooperation will help to ensure that utility providers are able to provide uninterrupted electrical service to New Yorkers, particularly to those who use electric powered medical equipment or are at risk of heat-related illness and death:

 

 

 

Set air conditioner to 78°F or the highest healthy comfortable temperature.

Run appliances such as ovens, washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers in the early morning or late at night when it is cooler outside to reduce heat and moisture in the home.

Close doors to keep cool air in and hot air out when the air conditioner is running.

Keep shades, blinds, and curtains closed. About 40 percent of unwanted heat comes through windows.

Turn off air conditioners, lights, and other appliances when not at home, and use a timer or smart technology to turn on an air conditioner about a half-hour before arriving home. Keep air conditioner filters clean.

If running a business, keep door closed while the air conditioner is running.

Tell utility providers if someone in the home depends on medical equipment that requires electricity.

 

 

Air Quality

 

 

 

New York City continues to monitor regional air quality and Canadian wildfire conditions that could affect the city. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Department of Health issue Air Quality Health Advisories when conditions may pose health risks. During poor air quality, limit outdoor activities, wear a mask if needed, and check AirNow.gov for current air quality readings. Visit the city’s air quality page for guidance and recommendations.

 

 

 

For more information, visit NYCEM’s Beat the Heat page. New Yorkers are also encouraged to stay informed by signing up for Notify NYC, the city’s free emergency communications program, to receive free emergency alerts and updates in preferred language and format by texting NotifyNYC to 692-692, visiting the Notify NYC page, calling 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115), following @NotifyNYC on X, or getting the free Notify NYC mobile application for Apple or Android devices.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banner Image: New York City Mayor Eric Adams delivers remarks at Emperor Haile Selassie’s birthday celebration. Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY. Wednesday, July 23, 2025. Image Credit: Benny Polatseck/Mayoral Photography Office