The Brian Lehrer Show
The Mayoral Candidates Talk Public Safety
Apr 8, 2025
Bridget Bergin, WNYC's senior political correspondent, and Reuven Blau, a criminal justice reporter for The City, dive into a recent mayoral forum focused on crime and public safety. They dissect the shifting views on policing, revealing a movement from defunding to advocating for more police presence. The conversation highlights the growing challenges at Rikers Island, particularly its role as a mental health facility. Debates on the controversial stop and frisk policy also reveal candidates' differing stances on racial profiling and community safety.
23:43
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Quick takeaways
- Candidates showcased differing strategies on crime, with some emphasizing social services over increased police funding to enhance public safety.
- The urgent need for improved mental health services was highlighted due to rising concerns about the treatment of individuals at Rikers Island.
Deep dives
Debate on Policing Philosophy
The candidates participating in the New York City mayoral race highlighted a significant divergence in their approaches to policing during a recent forum. Some candidates, like Adrian Adams and Jessica Ramos, advocated for addressing systemic issues related to crime by focusing on social services rather than simply increasing police funding. In contrast, others, such as Brad Lander and Scott Stringer, supported plans to bolster police numbers to the standard of 35,000 officers, with Stringer emphasizing the need to redirect resources to prevent youth from entering the criminal justice system. This shift in stance from earlier defunding movements reflects changing public sentiment regarding safety and policing's role in crime reduction.
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