The name ‘Eric Adams’, has in recent times been the focus of many conversations, where he once promised to storm onto the stage and run New York City with unmatched confidence, has been viewed by some to stumble over his own glamour. Adams, the first mayor in New York City’s history to be indicted federally while serving in office, has left many to question his less-than-stellar 34-month tenure. Meanwhile, across the city’s perimeter, the everyday New Yorker living in the fringes of East New York, Brooklyn may have realized just how empty the facade was, two weeks before the rest of the city caught on, when an incident on a subway platform seemed to dismantle his hollow promises.
Adams, who has often espoused his belief in a strong police presence and has ramped up spending for law enforcement at the cost of other public services, initiated the deployment of an additional 800 officers to New York City’s subway stations last May. While attempting to combat the seemingly persistent issue of fare evasion, this increase in patrolling was deemed excessive and raising alarm, especially as subway crime was reportedly on the decline.
The consequences of this decision were witnessed on the night of 15 September at the Sutter Avenue station, when two officers on duty confronted a 37-year-old man, Derell Mickles. Mickeles had triggered police attention by jumping a turnstile not once but twice. The situation turned into a frantic pursuit on the subway platform as Mickeles was seen carrying a switchblade.
The narrative took a turn into a scene filled with terror. Despite the suspect neither flaunting the switchblade nor initiating an attack, an abundance of police gunfire filled the station. Amid the chaos, Derell Mickles was left wounded and a police officer too, was struck by an unintended bullet. Further adding to the shocking event, two subway passengers were caught in the crossfire — a 26-year-old woman was grazed by a bullet, while a city hospital worker, 49-year-old Gregory Delpeche was severely injured, suffering extensive brain damage.
Overwhelmingly, the public has struggled to comprehend this violent censorship of a mere $2.90 fare evasion. Adams’s insistence on the officers’ restraint drew considerable criticism, especially from Delpeche’s family and their legal representatives, along with scores of demonstrators who rallied against the unnecessary violence.
Interestingly, the principal fare evader was concealed not in any shady corner of the city but within City Hall itself. In the recent week, federal prosecutors charged Adams with evading thousands of dollars in fares while enjoying the luxuries of Turkish Airlines, all part of an alleged bribery scheme spread over a long period. The benefits totaled over $100,000, including free air travel and hotel accommodations, extra discounts for Adams.
In exchange, Adams, while serving as Brooklyn’s borough president and later mayor, is alleged to have returned these favors to Turkish diplomats in New York. The allegations include pushing for an occupancy permit for a hazardous high-rise consulate despite major safety concerns. Scandalously, the corruption charges expand into campaign finance violations, as Adams is accused of securing $10 million in public matching funds under questionable circumstances.
The very roots of Adams’ flamboyant leadership image are tainted by these allegations of rampant corruption. And while this alarming discovery has left the city in total dismay, there might be more waiting to be unveiled. Probes into Adams’ close allies, including some with murky pasts and underwhelming credentials, are ongoing. Top police officials in his administration are also being investigated for potentially leveraging their influence for personal gains.
Against this backdrop, many have criticized Adams’ persistent refusal to step down, associating it with the questionable ethics commonly seen during the era of Donald Trump. This incident has given rise to a whirlwind of scrutiny by columnists, who are revisiting their initial reviews of Adams’ rise to power. The once applauded underdog, a former police captain, is now under the microscope for the hints of deception that may have lurked underneath the surface.
But this new perspective on Adams’ leadership has led to a broader question — one that challenges his proclaimed orientation towards a ‘law and order’ platform. Despite winning the mayoral race with a campaign founded on police reform and robust law enforcement, Adams’ administration’s corruption suggests a differential rule book for the elite.
While the petty corruption surrounding Adams’ flights might seem trivial compared to the city’s escalating police spending, it’s all part of a bigger picture. Interestingly, the police overtime cost in subway patrolling escalated from $4 million in 2022 to a staggering $155 million in 2023. This surge occurred alongside budget cuts in direly needed social services, including the critical domain of weekend library hours, indicating skewed priorities.
Adams, who once claimed he was a victim of police brutality, has gained notoriety for his controversial policies, such as the resurrection of an anti-crime unit notorious for its extreme methods and racial profiling. Despite citywide condemnations and evidence of misconduct, Adams has continued to commend the policing efforts, sparking outrage within the community.
As a quintessential ‘law and order’ leader, Adams has revealed the disquieting realities behind the facade of safer streets. It’s an ironic parallel — excessive law enforcement targeting everyday New Yorkers contrasted with unchecked self-indulgence of the city’s few elites. Adams’ inaugural journey with first-class privileges is far from victimless. His actions mirrored the oppressive policing that demolished the lives of hardworking New Yorkers like Gregory Delpeche. When a politician boasts about their ‘law and order’ stance, perhaps it’s worth delving deeper into what that actually means for their constituents.