Critics Question Claims About Police Support if Candidate Wins

Some prominent Democrats are suggesting that if Zohran Mamdani becomes mayor, he might keep NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch in her role. They argue this could lend the appearance of a tough stance on crime, despite Mamdani’s history of opposing traditional policing methods.

However, such claims are misleading. Commissioner Tisch emphasizes that reductions in shootings and homicides have been driven by close cooperation between City Hall and the police department. She has publicly credited Mayor Eric Adams for her department’s recent success in reducing gun violence through proactive policing strategies.

Mamdani, known for his strong anti-police positions, has repeatedly called for defunding and dismantling police forces. He described the NYPD as “wicked & corrupt” and called for its abolition in 2020. His stance extends to advocating social workers and community-based approaches over armed response, especially for handling street violence and domestic cases.

• He has criticized the police funding, stating it should be cut or eliminated entirely.
• In 2022, Mamdani and City Councilwoman Tiffany Caban published a guide advising on street violence that did not include calling 9-1-1.
• Mamdani has called the entire carceral system “an unreformable public health hazard,” advocating for its complete abolition.

He suggests alternatives like “distracting” attackers or “giving the person causing harm the chance to correct their behaviors,” ideas critics say are impractical against violent offenders. Mamdani’s approach, they argue, diminishes the urgent need for armed law enforcement in dangerous situations.

Furthermore, Mamdani has voiced beliefs that social workers could replace police in cases of domestic violence, despite alarming statistics that show one-third of NYC female murder victims are killed by intimate partners. Experts argue that social workers are not equipped to handle high-risk, violent crimes, which require specialized training and immediate intervention.

Surrogates of Mamdani are believed to be downplaying the radical nature of his policies, but voters only need to listen to his past comments to understand his true stance on law enforcement and public safety.