The Adams administration has been committed to public safety from the start, and getting illegal guns off our streets and out of our lives is core to that mission. Since the day I took office, the NYPD has seized more than 21,400 illegal firearms—and last week, I was able to help send many of these confiscated weapons to their final destination—a wood chipper that destroyed these guns so they can never be used to cause harm again.
The Reworld facility in Westbury is where the NYPD sends evidence, including illegal firearms, to be disposed of after it is no longer needed in a case. Members of our administration and the NYPD gathered there last Thursday with violence interrupters, anti-gun advocates, faith leaders, and the families of victims to help put these dangerous weapons into the gun chipper to be destroyed forever—ensuring they will never again endanger another child, terrify another New Yorker, or destroy another precious life. The destroyed guns will be turned into scrap metal, recycled, and sent to the School of Cooperative Technical Education, where students in the welding vocational program will finally make use of these products and create a memorial to honor victims of gun violence.
It was a bittersweet occasion. Each gun we destroy closes a door on a future act of violence—but also reminds us of the precious lives we have already lost—including the life of Excenia Mette, the beloved Harlem bodega owner and grandmother who was shot dead in a crossfire just last week.
Excenia’s death is tragic reminder of how gun violence tears apart lives and entire communities. This is the issue that keeps me up at night—and gets me up every day as your mayor. We must get criminals off our streets and illegal guns out of their hands. We must enforce our laws, prosecute wrongdoers, and fight recidivism. Every New Yorker must be safe and feel safe, confident that their city is looking out for them and their families, no matter where they live.
Over three years ago, we came into office determined to make this city safer. And each one of these guns we have confiscated is making good on that promise. Each gun we destroy saves lives, damming up one more river that leads to the sea of violence, and sending a message that these weapons have no place in our city or in our society.
I am proud to say that our administration has made significant strides in creating safer streets, safer subways, and a safer city for New York families. We have had five straight quarters of declining crime, and the first three months of this year saw the lowest number of shootings in recorded history. This is a direct result of our anti-gun efforts and major win for the NYPD and our city. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch is already leading this department into a new era of safety and success, along with Deputy Mayor Kaz Daughtry and the brave men and women of the NYPD, who run towards danger rather than away from it.
We can never forget the countless number of men and women who have placed their lives on the line to defend and protect the City of New York. Every day, our team is out there doing this dangerous work, interacting with violent and, far too often, armed recidivists who have made up their mind to wreak havoc on our city. As your mayor, I want every one of them to know how grateful this city is for their courage and dedication.
Because of our steadfast focus on eradicating gun violence, New York City continues to be the safest big city in America. But we will keep pressing for more—more officers, more safety, more results. This administration is all about going the distance, with long-term plans to ensure that New York City remains the greatest city on the globe and a safe place for our families, our children, and our grandmothers.
