Mayor Eric Adams expresses frustration over criticism of former de Blasio administration

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NEW YORK — Mayor Eric Adams says he inherited a city in disarray, saying key issues included a demoralized police force and a mismanaged budget for the homeless.

The mayor discussed solutions on “The Point” with CBS2 political reporter Marcia Kramer.

“Who cares what he thinks? Adams said Wednesday.

It was the lament of a mayor weary of criticism of his politics by de Blasio’s team, acidly pointing out that after eight years they ‘left the house in utter disarray, then they come and say, look at the mess that you repaired, you created, Eric.”

“I mean, Marcia, let us do our job,” Adams continued.

READ MORE: Mayor Eric Adams expresses frustration over criticism of his professional performance by de Blasio team members

The mayor left that press conference without explaining exactly what challenges he faced, but during an appearance on CBS2’s political talk show “The Point,” Adams got down to business. For a mayor pledging to make the streets safe again, he found de Blasio’s police department sorely lacking.

“Morale was low. The police felt like they weren’t getting the support they deserved. Every time their faces were put on social media, it seemed like everyone was turning their backs on them,” Adams said. .

“And the homeless services department?” How did you find this? Was it messy? asked Kramer.

“We’re spending too much money on homeless shelters. We have to move people into permanent housing… Homelessness is a generational issue that I don’t think we’ve successfully addressed,” Adams said.

Adams says one of the biggest headaches he inherited from de Blasio was the corrections department.

“It was a mess, and I’m surprised when I hear the former commissioner who had it criticizing and talking about receivership, talking about everything that’s wrong,” Adams said.

Speaking of corrections, de Blasio also let Adams hold the bag on a law that requires Rikers Island to be closed by 2027. That’s hard to accomplish because the four community jails that are supposed to be built only hold 3,300 detained. Rikers is expected to have 7,000 inmates by next year.

“There should have been a plan B. We can’t be so optimistic that we’re unrealistic or idealistic that’s unrealistic,” Adams said.

The mayor said he has a small task force trying to figure out what to do.

“We better have a plan B. If plan A says you have way too many people who can’t fit into the current system, we can’t say there are no more positions. vacant, you know. Those who are dangerous to society, they should be incarcerated until they serve their time,” Adams said.

For the record, the mayor admitted that de Blasio himself had offered plenty of helpful advice. Adams said his problem came from the former mayor’s aides trying to figure it out.

You can see more of Kramer’s interview with the mayor on “The Point” at 11:30 a.m. Sunday on CBS2.

Marcia Kramer

Marcia Kramer joined CBS2 in 1990 as an investigative and political reporter. Prior to CBS2, she was City Hall Bureau Chief for the New York Daily News.

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