Mayor Bloomberg Blames Uptick In Crime On Budget Cuts

Yesterday, after the Daily News reported that NYC crime rates for murders and shootings have increased 22.8% and 16.3%, respectively, in the last year, Mayor Bloomberg took up the topic during John Gambling's radio show. And guess what—he says that it's totally due to the decreasing number of cops due to budget cuts! Bloomberg said, "It is worrisome."

He added, "[Police] Commissioner [Ray] Kelly and I talked at length about it. We have fewer police officers than we did before. More cops always helps." But the Post reports that Bloomberg admitted that crime is "still very low" compared to, say, "1990, when murders hit an annual record of 2,245." (The Daily News points out that last December, Bloomberg said of the city's lowest murder rate on record while the NYPD had fewer resources, "All of the experts said it couldn't be done, particularly in a down economy, but we've done it.")

The city's latest budget might mean shedding about 2,000 cops, bringing the total to 32,817 (it's now currently at around 35,000; in 2000, there were over 40,000 cops). Kelly said, "It's not going to particularly help the situation to go down another 2,000 officers." Something else that won't help? Possible state cuts, which would mean another 3,150 cops could be laid off.

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By Jen Chung in News on March 27, 2010 2:25 PM

Comments [rss]

Abbott

The city could use a little crime wave. Might bring my rent down a bit. :)

5borough

There is a correlation, at least in NYC. The big reduction started after Clinton's "Safe Cities, Safe Streets" program swelled police ranks.

dadoc

The usual politics (economics) of fear. "We need more money or you're all gonna die!". Has nothing to do with cops, it's the economy and Compstat being exposed as a fraud. Get the "housemice" and special details off their fat asses and back on patrol. Make use of your man(person)power effectively. They took credit when crime was "down" (economy) but now blame us for not paying more taxes when crime is "up"? Still their watch, still their responsibility. Are they saying that 33,000 cops can't patrol this city? Heck, you could do it with half that if not for unions, laziness and inefficiency. Hey Bloomie, you're a businessman. Manage it.

Snoopy

How many murders have the police prevented? I know they show up after the murder, but what do they do to prevent murders? Is there a special talent they have to uncover murderers prior to the murder being committed?

LibHater

"Is there a special talent they have to uncover murderers prior to the murder being committed?"

Yes it's called Stop, Question and Frisk that all you tools bitch about all the time. How many guns did the NYPD pull off the street last year due to SQF's? What do you think those perps had the guns for? Violent crimes and shootings. Maybe instead of bitching about the NYPD all the time you guys should thank them for what they do. There's a few bad apples but the entire dept isn't corrupt.

lexicondevil

It's called a recession. Crime goes up - yes, even shootings.

longacre

It's more broke people doing desperate things...and less cops.

TimSPC

I don't want excuses, Mike. The crime is going up on your watch. Bring it back down.

Kevin Bracken

Bloomberg may be the mayor, but he's not a criminologist. More cops ≠ less crime.

gawkthis

you obviously didn't pay attention in class either: more visibility of cops on the street, and more visibility on the streets in general (as provided by increased sodium-vapor lighting and similar changes) is exactly what led to the reduction in crime during Guiliani's term as Mayor. any criminology or criminal justice 101 student can cite the research backing up the positive correlation of visibility and crime reduction.