New York City Mayor Adam Adams stated on March 10th that since the beginning of this year, the police have confiscated over 1,000 illegal firearms from the streets. Since taking office, a total of over 20,700 guns have been seized by the police, demonstrating the city’s continued commitment to public safety.
According to data from the New York City Police Department (NYPD), since Adams took office in 2022, there has been a decrease of 42.2% in shooting incidents and 22.7% in murder cases. Just in January and February of this year, the number of shooting incidents reached the lowest record in New York City’s history. In February of this year, the city saw a 20.8% decrease in shooting incidents compared to the same period in 2024, with 22 fewer shooting victims.
During a press conference at the NYPD’s 75th Precinct, Adams stated, “New York City is the safest major city in America. Those who claim our city is in chaos should look at these statistics.” He urged to stop spreading negative narratives and emphasized that “data doesn’t lie, but noise does.”
Not only have shooting incidents decreased, but the overall crime rate in New York City is also on the decline. In February of this year, the city saw a 14.5% decrease in major crimes, marking the third consecutive month of a double-digit decrease. Previously, crime rates in December 2024 and January 2025 also dropped by 15.5% and 16.8% respectively, representing the largest monthly decrease since Adams took office.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch mentioned that among the 1,000+ firearms confiscated by the police on the streets this year, 40 were “Ghost Guns.” These firearms, without serial numbers and untraceable, are typically assembled from parts or 3D-printed components, raising concerns that they could fall into the hands of minors or criminals.
Tisch stated that the police are conducting targeted enforcement actions to prevent these lethal weapons from entering communities. She also highlighted a successful prevention of a potential gang retaliation shooting in a community north of Manhattan, resulting in the arrest of eight individuals and the confiscation of five firearms.
Adams pointed out that many illegal gun owners have prior criminal records within the justice system, emphasizing, “We are focused on curbing repeat offenders, which is crucial to reducing the crime rate.”
During the press conference, when asked about his views on some people claiming that “New York City is in a chaotic state,” Adams stated that anyone who ignores data is misleading the public. He specifically mentioned that the city’s economy is recovering, tourism is picking up, subway safety is improving, and data indicates steady progress in the city’s improvement. ◇