Adams Restores NYPD, FDNY Cuts To Outrage As Other Reductions Stand

NEW YORK CITY — Controversial cuts to the NYPD and FDNY will be partially restored, said Mayor Eric Adams — a reversal that quickly drew outrage as others reductions to key city services remain.

Adams announced during a Wednesday afternoon news conference that an upcoming Police Academy class will no longer be canceled.

He also said the FDNY's "fifth firefighter" position at 20 engine companies won't be cut and 195 firefighters on disability won't be laid off.

The restorations came in part from "better than anticipated" tax revenues, as well as less spending on the migrant crisis, Adams said.

"I want to be clear, we’re not out of the woods," he said. "We still have a massive budget gap for 2025."

But as Adams reversed the cuts and teased more word on the budget Jan. 16, many elected officials and advocates quickly criticized his priorities.

City Council members have long argued Adams' proposed cuts, first unveiled in November, are too indiscriminate and appear based on bad math.

Soon after Adams' news conference Wednesday, Council Member Tiffany Cabán expressed dismay that the well-funded NYPD was saved, seemingly at the expense of other vital city services.

"Our libraries are still closed on weekends. Our schools & students are still suffering. Sanitation services are still reduced & less frequent. No community composting. Those cuts stand," she tweeted.

"Whose cuts are getting reversed? The NYPD, of course."

The Mayor is reversing some budget cuts. Our libraries are still closed on weekends. Our schools & students are still suffering. Sanitation services are still reduced & less frequent. No community composting. Those cuts stand. Whose cuts are getting reversed? The NYPD, of course. https://t.co/z69po4hEH7
— Tiffany Cabán (@tiffany_caban) January 10, 2024

Other critics lambasted Adams along the same lines.

"Just a reminder: @NYCMayor has said the only way to balance the NYC budget is to cut seats in Pre-K and 3K and throw families out on the street. At the same time, he’s opting to spend more on the NYPD,” tweeted the NYC Progressive Caucus.

"Eric Adams cut funding from every public benefit and social service across the city and blamed it on the migrant crisis but somehow has more and more money to give to NYPD," tweeted Olayemi Olurin, an attorney and political commentator.