According to a New York Post report, outgoing Mayor Eric Adams launched a “pre-emptive strike” on Zohran Mamdani Friday — rolling out a plan to boost the NYPD to its highest staffing level in 20 years.
Adams’ flashy budget proposal, first reported by The Post, would swell the police force to 40,000 officers by 2029 — though it would require sign-off from future administrations.
The move appeared aimed straight at Mamdani, the anti-cop candidate and current front-runner, who has vowed to keep the NYPD’s headcount at its current depleted level.
Mamdani doubled down Friday when asked about Adams’ proposal.
“It’s not a question of headcount. It’s a question of safety,” he said during a campaign event practicing tai chi with seniors on the Lower East Side.
He also took a shot at the feasibility of the plan: “Eric Adams cannot actually hire enough officers that he actually has the money to do so,” he said, pointing to the department’s recruitment and retention struggles.
The NYPD’s ranks have been stuck below 34,000 cops for the entirety of Adams’ first and only term, despite the department being budgeted for 35,000 officers, The Post reported.
Adams’ lame duck proposal, cribbing Cuomo’s own campaign promise to add 5,000 more officers, would essentially throw more money into the NYPD in hopes the recruits will follow.
More over at The New York Post:
Eric Adams to announce major investment in NYPD — bringing number of NYC cops to highest level in 20 years https://t.co/usF093fGhC pic.twitter.com/ij68BGKKaW
— New York Post (@nypost) October 31, 2025
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