In a recent statement, Mayor Eric Adams reassured New Yorkers that despite a frightening incident on the subway, New York City remains the safest large city in the United States. This announcement came after a subway shooting caused panic among commuters in Brooklyn. Mayor Adams emphasized that such incidents are isolated and should not define the city’s overall state of safety and order.
During an interview with Q104.3 FM’s Jim Kerr, just before participating in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Mayor Adams addressed the concerns head-on. He dismissed the negative talk about the city’s safety as baseless and highlighted the city’s resilience. He proudly shared that both shootings and homicides have decreased across the city. Moreover, New York City now boasts a record number of private sector jobs, showcasing its economic strength and stability.
Mayor Adams firmly believes in the resilience and strength of New Yorkers. He urged everyone to ignore any pessimistic views about the city’s resilience. Before joining the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, he reiterated his confidence in New York City being the safest and greatest city worldwide, dismissing any contrary opinions as simply frustrating.
However, recent statistics have shown a 13.2% increase in subway crimes as of March 10, indicating a gap between the mayor’s statements and some New Yorkers’ safety concerns. This comes in the wake of a violent incident where Dajuan Robinson, 36, was critically injured after a confrontation on the subway turned violent. Robinson, after causing a disturbance with another passenger, Younece Obuad, 32, was shot four times. The altercation escalated when Obuad’s companion reportedly stabbed Robinson, leading to a struggle over a firearm that ended with Robinson being shot as the train arrived at a station.
Robinson is currently in critical condition in the hospital. The Brooklyn District Attorney’s office has stated that the investigation into the shooting is ongoing. However, preliminary evidence suggests that the shooting may have been in self-defense, which means no charges have been filed against Obuad at this stage.
Mayor Adams also highlighted the city’s economic achievements, noting that New York City has more private sector jobs than ever before, underscoring the city’s economic resilience and growth potential.