NEW YORK—Oct. 5, 2025—Mayor Eric Adams signed Emergency Executive Order 867, extending a key provision of Order 865 for five days to address persistent crises in the city’s Department of Correction, including at Rikers Island. The move prioritizes compliance with the federal Nunez use-of-force case and the 2022 Nunez Action Plan, citing ongoing attrition-driven staffing shortages that threaten sanitation, showers, meals, visitation, religious services, commissary, and recreation. The jail system’s state of emergency, first declared in 2021, remains in effect; the extension is effective immediately and may be modified or terminated earlier.
Emergency Executive Order 867
WHEREAS, on September 2, 2021, the federal monitor in the Nunez use-of-force class action stated that steps must be taken immediately to address the conditions in the New York City jails; and
WHEREAS, on June 14, 2022, the federal court in Nunez approved the Nunez Action Plan, which “represents a way to move forward with concrete measures now to address the ongoing crisis at Rikers Island”; and
WHEREAS, although there has been improvement in excessive staff absenteeism, extraordinarily high rates of attrition due to staff retirements and other departures continue to seriously affect the Department of Correction’s (DOC’s) staffing levels and create a serious risk to DOC’s ability to carry out the safety and security measures required for the maintenance of sanitary conditions; and access to basic services, including showers, meals, visitation, religious services, commissary, and recreation; and
WHEREAS, this Order is given to prioritize compliance with the Nunez Action Plan and to address the effects of DOC’s staffing levels, the conditions at DOC facilities, and health operations; and
WHEREAS, additional reasons for requiring the measures continued in this Order are set forth in Emergency Executive Order No. 140 of 2022, Emergency Executive Order No. 579 of 2024, and Emergency Executive Order 623 of 2024; and
WHEREAS, the state of emergency existing within DOC facilities, first declared in Emergency Executive Order No. 241, dated September 15, 2021, and extended by subsequent orders, remains in effect;
NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the powers vested in me by the laws of the State of New York and the City of New York, including but not limited to the New York Executive Law, the New York City Charter and the Administrative Code of the City of New York, and the common law authority to protect the public in the event of an emergency:
Section 1. I hereby direct that section 1 of Emergency Executive Order No. 865, dated September 30, 2025, is extended for five (5) days.
§ 2. This Emergency Executive Order shall take effect immediately and shall remain in effect for five (5) days unless it is terminated or modified at an earlier date.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Oct. 5 issued Executive Order 868, extending Section 1 of Executive Order 866 for five days as the city manages an influx of asylum seekers arriving from the southern border. The order, effective immediately, keeps in place emergency measures first declared Oct. 7, 2022, to expand shelter capacity and services across the DHS system while maintaining support for existing clients. Citing authority under New York Executive Law, the City Charter and Administrative Code, the mayor said the extension may be modified or terminated sooner.
Emergency Executive Order 868
WHEREAS, over the past several months, thousands of asylum seekers have been arriving in New York City, from the Southern border, without having any immediate plans for shelter; and
WHEREAS, the City now faces an unprecedented humanitarian crisis that requires it to take extraordinary measures to meet the immediate needs of the asylum seekers while continuing to serve the tens of thousands of people who are currently using the DHS Shelter System; and
WHEREAS, additional reasons for requiring the measures continued in this Order are set forth in Emergency Executive Order No. 224, dated October 7, 2022; and
WHEREAS, the state of emergency based on the arrival of thousands of individuals and families seeking asylum, first declared in Emergency Executive Order No. 224, dated October 7, 2022, and extended by subsequent orders, remains in effect;
NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the powers vested in me by the laws of the State of New York and the City of New York, including but not limited to the New York Executive Law, the New York City Charter and the Administrative Code of the City of New York, and the common law authority to protect the public in the event of an emergency:
Section 1. I hereby order that section 1 of Emergency Executive Order No. 866, dated September 30, 2025, is extended for five (5) days.
§ 2. This Emergency Executive Order shall take effect immediately and shall remain in effect for five (5) days unless it is terminated or modified at an earlier date.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul extended Executive Order 52 for at least 30 days, keeping pharmacists authorized to administer Covid-19 vaccines while the state pursues a long-term legislative fix. Hochul urged the federal government to add Covid-19 shots to the Vaccines for Children program and directed the Health Department to explore options to ensure uninsured children can be vaccinated. Health Commissioner James McDonald said a standing order remains in effect for pharmacies. The administration also cited ongoing coordination with Northeast states on vaccination, surveillance and emergency preparedness.
Governor Hochul Extends Executive Order Ensuring All New Yorkers Can Receive the Updated 2025–26 COVID Shot
As the Trump administration continues to attack access to health care, Governor Kathy Hochul today announced an extension of Executive Order 52, which allows pharmacists to continue administering COVID vaccines, providing access for all New Yorkers who wish to be vaccinated. The Executive Order will be in place for at least another 30 days while work continues on a long-term legislative solution to protect the immunization and health care rights of New Yorkers.
Additionally, Governor Hochul is calling on the federal government to make the COVID-19 vaccine available through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. As of now, the Trump administration has yet to make COVID-19 vaccines available for states to order through its VFC program. This inaction is causing unnecessary disorder while putting the health of millions of children at risk. In the interim, out of an abundance of caution, Governor Hochul has directed the Department of Health to explore additional solutions to make sure all children, including uninsured kids, have access to the vaccines they need to stay safe and healthy.
“I’ve been clear with New Yorkers that even as Washington continues its misguided campaign against science, I will always do what I can to ensure New Yorkers have access to the vaccines and information families need to make decisions about their health care — with no exceptions,” Governor Hochul said. “I will sign as many extensions of this executive order as I need to. We will always let science lead the way — not politics.”
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “Governor Hochul’s swift action ensures that every eligible New Yorker will continue to have access to the updated COVID-19 vaccine. As we call on the federal government to make this vaccine available through the Vaccines for Children program, the Department will keep working to remove barriers and protect families’ access to lifesaving immunization. Vaccines save lives, and we will always stand with New Yorkers to safeguard their health.”
The Executive Order is part of Governor Hochul’s long-term strategy to protect access to vaccinations in New York. The Governor will begin working with the Legislature on a legislative solution to ensure permanent and continuing access to vaccines, including administration of vaccines by health care professionals and insurance coverage of vaccines.
New York is also working in coordination with — and helping to lead — a regional multi-state public health collaboration among Northeast states, which brings together public health leaders across the region to develop evidence-based recommendations and approaches on vaccination, disease surveillance and emergency preparedness. The collaborative also supports state public health laboratories in sharing resources and expertise to strengthen regional readiness.
Last month, Commissioner McDonald issued a standing order for the COVID vaccine that is still in effect, ensuring that pharmacists statewide can continue to provide timely and convenient access. Commissioner McDonald and the Department of Health will continue to issue detailed guidance to support pharmacies, clinicians and other vaccine administrators.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said $187 million in law-enforcement and counterterrorism funding will be restored after President Trump reversed planned cuts. The governor said the move ensures the state has resources to support police, first responders and public-safety operations. “Because of our efforts, $187 million in critical funding will be restored,” she said, calling it a win for public safety and New Yorkers who rely on law enforcement to keep the state secure.
Statement From Governor Kathy Hochul
“From the moment these devastating cuts were announced, I made it clear that New York would not stand by while our law enforcement and counterterrorism operations were defunded. I’m glad President Trump heard our call and reversed course, ensuring our state has the resources necessary to support law enforcement and keep our families safe.
“Because of our efforts, $187 million in critical funding will be restored — a victory for public safety and for every New Yorker who depends on our brave law enforcement and first responders to keep our state secure.”
New York has climbed to No. 1 in Mental Health America’s “State of Mental Health in America” report, which analyzed 17 measures using 2022–2023 data, the period when Gov. Kathy Hochul launched a $1 billion overhaul of the state’s behavioral-health system. The state advanced from No. 8 (2023) to No. 4 (2024) and now leads both overall and in adult rankings, driven by gains in reducing youth suicidal ideation, lowering major depressive episodes among youth, and shrinking the share of uninsured adults with mental illness. New York added 985 psychiatric beds, expanded state-operated capacity, funded 39 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics that have served 77,000-plus people in 2025, scaled Critical Time Intervention and INSET teams, grew ACT and Youth ACT teams, and increased specialized housing and school-based clinics. Albany also advanced youth protections—with distraction-free K–12 classrooms, the Safe for Kids Act and the New York Child Data Protection Act—positioning the state as a national model for accessible, community-based mental-health care.
Governor Hochul Highlights State’s Ranking as National Leader in Mental Health
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York State has been recognized as a national leader in mental health based on a new report compiled with publicly available federal data. ‘The State of Mental Health in America’ ranked New York number one nationally when analyzing data from 17 common mental health measures using the data gathered in 2022 and 2023 – the year Governor Hochul launched her multi-billion-dollar investment to strengthen the state’s system of care.
“These findings demonstrate that we remain on the right track in our concerted efforts to address the mental health crisis among children and adults,” Governor Hochul said. “While our work is far from finished, New York has become a national model when it comes to providing a range of support, care and treatment that residents need. By strengthening our mental health care system, we are giving people and families renewed hope and helping them onto the path to recovery so they can live and thrive in their communities.”
New York’s combined scores in 17 categories ranked the state first nationally in the report, which is compiled annually by Mental Health America, a leading national nonprofit dedicated to the promotion of mental health. Previously, the state was ranked fourth in the nation in 2024 and eighth in 2023.
The measures that had the largest effect on New York’s overall ranking were the state’s percentage of youth with serious thoughts of suicide; youth with a major depressive episode in the past year; and uninsured adults living with mental illness. Aside from being ranked first overall, New York also topped all other states in the report’s adult rankings, which include eight measures gauging the prevalence of mental illness and access to care among individuals over the age of 18.
The data considered in the report coincide with the launch of Governor Hochul’s landmark initiative into strengthening New York State’s mental health care system. Her $1 billion plan in FY 2024 and investments made in subsequent budgets doubled down on improvements in suicide prevention, youth services, and other areas highlighted in the report.
From adding inpatient capacity to dramatically expanding outpatient programs to creating thousands of new units of specialized housing and more, the state has taken bold measures to ensure all New Yorkers have access to these critical services — especially those individuals and families from previously underserved populations. Governor Hochul has particularly committed to improving youth mental health, as evidenced by her legislative initiatives to address the harmful impacts of social media and to eliminate the use of smartphones by students in K-12 public schools.
New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, “The Mental Health in America report reflects the bold commitment Governor Hochul has made into mental health and the fantastic work that our state and provider workforce have undertaken to dramatically expand access to high-quality care. We are proud partners together and look forward to continuing as both an innovator and a national leader in mental health care.”
Since Governor Hochul took office, New York State has added 985 psychiatric beds, including 610 beds that were brought back online at community-based hospitals. The Governor has also overseen the largest expansion of inpatient capacity at state-operated psychiatric centers, adding 375 new beds and 275 others in development.
New York State now funds 39 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, which make it easier for New Yorkers to get into treatment and can help them avoid unnecessary hospital visits. These clinics provide mental health and substance use disorder services to anyone who walks in the door –regardless of whether they have insurance –and have served more than 77,000 recipients so far in 2025.
OMH is also establishing 50 Critical Time Intervention teams in all areas of the state to provide care management services and support to help individuals during transitions in care, such as leaving inpatient settings. With the first 36 now funded, these teams will have the capacity to serve 3,630 New Yorkers.
The state is also expanding Intensive and Sustained Engagement or ‘INSET’ teams, a voluntary, peer-led engagement approach to support individuals on their recovery journey at times and places that are convenient to them. OMH now funds five teams –including one focusing on the forensic population –operating in New York City, the Rochester area, Westchester, and on Long Island, with the capacity to collectively serve more than 300 individuals.
The state has also aggressively expanded the Safe Options Support program, which has now helped permanently house 1,407 individuals, including nearly 180 in OMH-licensed housing. With the first teams launched in Spring 2022, the SOS program now has 31 teams, including ones canvassing all five boroughs of New York City, both counties on Long Island, and 19 additional counties across the state.
New York State has also made regulatory changes to improve mental health, adopting new hospital admission and discharge regulations to provide a clear path toward ensuring the quality of care given to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis, and that thoughtful plans are crafted to connect those leaving emergency and inpatient care with community-based support. CTI teams are now in place to connect with individuals leaving inpatient care and ensure that their immediate needs are met and that they remain connected to community support.
The state also adopted new network adequacy regulations to ensure New Yorkers with qualifying health insurance plans are provided timely access to critical behavioral health care. These changes are providing important consumer protections, including a requirement that plans post up-to-date and accurate lists of in-network providers on their websites, which will help to eliminate inaccurate or misleading directories.
OMH has also aggressively expanded specialized housing, including 1,276 new units associated with Governor Hochul’s mental health initiative, with an additional 2,224 housing units that are under development. The units under development include community residence-single room occupancy units, supportive housing-single room occupancy units and short term transitional residential units –all designed to help New Yorkers living with mental illness to reside safely within their community.
OMH has also expanded its Assertive Community Treatment or ‘ACT’ program, which now operates 112 teams with 30 additional ones in development, and the capacity to provide services to 9,584 individuals living with mental illness. These teams provide coverage in all counties statewide, allowing these New Yorkers to receive treatment within their community rather than more restrictive hospital settings.
Governor Hochul also made a nation-leading commitment to protect youth mental health and promote student success in the digital age. As part of the FY 2026 State Budget, she secured a landmark agreement to create a statewide standard for distraction-free schools and eliminate smartphone use in all K-12 classrooms.
In addition, Governor Hochul signed into law the Safe for Kids Act last year, requiring social media companies to restrict addictive feeds on their platforms for users under 18. She also signed the New York Child Data Protection Act, prohibiting online sites and connected devices from collecting, using, sharing, or selling personal data of anyone under the age of 18, unless they receive informed consent or unless doing so is strictly necessary for the purpose of the website.
Governor Hochul’s focus on youth mental health also led to the creation of 10 new Youth Assertive Community Treatment teams to support young people with serious emotional disturbances who are either at risk of entering, or are returning home from high intensity services, such as inpatient settings or residential services. Youth ACT teams now total 20 –with 19 in development –and will operate in 31 counties, providing youth and family therapy, medication management, family and peer support, and skill-building.
Governor Hochul also expanded school-based mental health clinics, which help students get a licensed mental health care provider in a familiar stigma-free setting on their school campus. Since funding this expansion last year, the state has added 255 new clinic satellites — including 84 in high-needs districts —to 1,265 that now exist statewide.
New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said, “Many individuals affected by mental health disorders are also impacted by co-occurring substance use disorders. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York has made great strides in expanding services across the state for all aspects of behavioral health, helping thousands of New Yorkers access the help and support that they need. This report is great recognition of the strides we are making, and we look forward to collaborating with our partners on continued expansions to these services as we build a healthier New York State for all.”
State Senator Samra G. Brouk said, “As Chair of the Senate Mental Health Committee, I am proud to see that New York State has been ranked as a leader in the “State of Mental Health in America” report. This is further evidence that voluntary services, such as INSET teams, Critical Time Intervention teams; Safe Options Support programs, and other impactful programs have the power to help individuals with serious mental health needs. By continuing this momentum and investing in Daniel’s Law funding, we can reach more individuals experiencing mental health crises and keep our communities safe. I applaud Governor Hochul for investing in mental health initiatives in New York State to ensure that our residents receive the care they deserve.”
Assemblymember JoAnn Simon said, “It’s great to see New York recognized as a national leader in mental health, reflecting the progress we have made investing in our families and communities and expanding care. I look forward to working with Governor Hochul to expand these investments and build on this momentum to ensure that every New Yorker can get the help they need, when they need it.”
Mental Health Association of New York Chief Executive Officer Glenn Liebman said, “Our national organization, Mental Health America, confirms what we already know –that New York State is a leader in mental health services and support. Under Governor Hochul and Commissioner Sullivan’s leadership, New York leads the way in school and teen mental health, prevention, crisis services, innovative programming, suicide prevention and mental health parity. While there is always more that needs to be done, we are very lucky in New York to have the commitment, leadership, and vision to make life better for those with mental health issues and their loved ones.”
Bilt, the housing and neighborhood commerce fintech, signed a 15-year lease for a 58,000-square-foot headquarters at 837 Washington Street in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, a move expected to create 625 high-paying jobs while retaining more than 200 staff. Backed by up to $6.25 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits, the company plans more than $50 million in R&D to enhance payments, rewards, AI and security, with the renovated site slated to open in early 2026. Founded in 2019 and launched in 2021, Bilt reports over five million members, free rent-reporting to build credit, and plans to expand into mortgage-related rewards; the company has raised $850 million, is valued above $10.75 billion, and says it is on track to process more than $100 billion in housing-related spending annually while driving over $10 billion in purchases to a network of 40,000 merchants.
Governor Hochul Announces Fintech Leader Bilt to Expand With New Manhattan Headquarters, Creating Over 600 Jobs
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that Bilt, a housing and neighborhood commerce platform, will establish its new headquarters at 837 Washington Street in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District under a 15-year lease. The 58,000-square-foot space will be fully renovated to accommodate the company’s growth, creating 625 new jobs while retaining more than 200 existing employees. Supported by up to $6.25 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits from Empire State Development, the project includes more than $50 million in research and development investment to advance Bilt’s fintech products, payment systems and consumer engagement tools.
“New York is the nation’s undisputed leader in finance and technology, and Bilt’s decision to grow and develop here underscores the unmatched talent, energy and opportunity that only New York can offer,” Governor Hochul said. “Bilt’s expansion and long-term commitment reflect the kind of homegrown innovation we are proud to support. Their success story is a reminder that when companies invest in New York, they not only strengthen our communities but also help shape the future of technology and economic growth across the state.”
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Bilt’s expansion represents the kind of forward-thinking investment that strengthens New York’s position as the global capital of fintech innovation. By choosing to grow in New York and create hundreds of high-paying jobs, Bilt is demonstrating confidence in our state’s unparalleled talent pool and business ecosystem. Empire State Development is committed to ensuring that companies like Bilt can continue to innovate, expand and generate lasting benefits for communities across the state.”
Bilt Founder and CEO Ankur Jain said, “New York City is where Bilt was born, and it’s where we’ll continue to grow. This 15-year commitment to the Meatpacking District represents our unwavering belief in New York as the epicenter of innovation and the perfect place to build an American-made platform that connects people to rewarding experiences in their homes and neighborhoods. There’s no better neighborhood than the Meatpacking District to showcase what happens when commerce, community and culture come together.”
Founded in 2019 and launched in 2021, Bilt has grown into the nation’s largest housing and neighborhood commerce platform, built and operated in New York City. The company serves more than five million members nationwide, and its platform — which includes a suite of tools for rent payments, dining, travel and neighborhood commerce — enables consumers to earn rewards on everyday housing and lifestyle expenses.
The company has raised over $850 million in venture capital, reached a valuation of over $10.75 billion, and is on track to process more than $100 billion annually in housing-related spending while driving over $10 billion annually in spending to a network of over 40,000 neighborhood merchants including fitness studios, restaurants and pharmacies.
Bilt offers free rent reporting capabilities that enable tenants to build their credit history simply by paying their rent on time, and with plans to soon expand into mortgage-related rewards and benefits, the company is creating a path for both renters and homeowners to strengthen their financial futures while engaging in Bilt’s broader rewards ecosystem.
Bilt, which currently operates from its Lower Manhattan office, will lease approximately 58,000 square feet at 837 Washington Street, transforming a vacant building into a state-of-the-art headquarters expected to open in early 2026 following extensive renovations. The new facility will support the company’s expanding operations in artificial intelligence, engineering, product development, data analytics and partnership integration, while anchoring more than $50 million in research and development investment in New York. These R&D efforts will drive advances in payment processing, rewards technology, platform scalability and secure, privacy-focused financial transactions.
Bilt’s decision to expand in Manhattan highlights the strength of New York City’s fintech sector and the broader innovation economy. With access to world-class talent, deep pools of capital, leading research institutions and an unmatched entrepreneurial spirit, New York offers the ideal environment for companies to scale and succeed. Expansions by high-growth firms like Figma, Rippling and Rokt, alongside new investments from global leaders across technology and finance, continue to reinforce this momentum. By choosing to grow here, Bilt is contributing to New York’s position as a premier destination for fintech innovation—where breakthrough companies build the technologies and platforms that are reshaping how consumers engage with financial services.
Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York’s fintech sector has experienced remarkable growth, cementing the state’s position as a national hub for innovation and financial technology. Since, 2021, fintech jobs in New York State have grown by 28 percent — a rate 14 times faster than the national average.
Meatpacking District Management Association Executive Director Jeffrey LeFrancois said, “We are thrilled to welcome Bilt to the Meatpacking District, a tremendous investment that underscores our neighborhood’s strength as a hub of innovation, tech, and commerce. This commitment will bring hundreds of high-quality jobs while breathing new life into an iconic neighborhood building. Thank you to Governor Hochul and Empire State Development for supporting this investment through the Excelsior Jobs Program, helping the Meatpacking District and New York continue to thrive.”
New York City Councilmember Erik Bottcher said, “We are thrilled to welcome Bilt’s new headquarters to the Meatpacking District. This investment not only brings hundreds of good jobs to our community, but also breathes new life into a historic building while strengthening New York City’s role as a global leader in fintech innovation.”
.—New York on Oct. 2 opened applications for the 2026–27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the state’s Tuition Assistance Program and the NYS STEM Incentive Program, part of a push to expand college affordability with roughly $800 million in annual TAP awards and broadened eligibility that has already brought aid to nearly 38,000 newly eligible students. FAFSA remains the gateway to Pell Grants, Work-Study and state programs; a “Universal FAFSA” law has lifted completions about 12%, placing the state sixth nationally. The STEM scholarship covers SUNY/CUNY tuition for students graduating in the top 10% who commit to five years of STEM work in New York. Non-citizen students may qualify via the DREAM Act or an Alternate Eligibility Pathway. Deadlines: FAFSA/TAP for 2026–27 run through June 30, 2027; TAP for 2025–26 closes June 30, 2026; STEM applications are due Aug. 15, 2026.
Governor Hochul Announces the Opening of Key New York State College Aid Applications for the 2026-27 Academic Year
NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and STEM Incentive Program Applications Now Being Accepted
“Programs like TAP and the STEM Incentive Program are vital in providing New York students with the financial support and opportunities they need to pursue higher education and achieve their dreams,” Governor Hochul said. “Equally important is completing the FAFSA, which opens the door to essential federal financial aid. These programs help students to overcome financial barriers, access quality education, and create a stronger future for themselves and their communities.”
NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) With approximately $800 million awarded each year, TAP is one of the most robust need-based financial aid programs in the nation. Governor Hochul’s recent historic expansions have made more students eligible to receive TAP, and New York is already seeing the results. Nearly 38,000 students who have become newly eligible are now receiving awards, contributing to more than $71 million in aid to students and their families. Together with the increased income thresholds and expanded access for part-time and non-degree students, New York is opening doors of opportunity to help ensure more residents can pursue higher education with the financial support they need to succeed.
NYS STEM Incentive Program The NYS STEM Incentive Program provides scholarships that cover the cost of tuition to eligible students who are in the top 10 percent of high school graduates who pursue STEM degrees at SUNY or CUNY colleges. Recipients must commit to working in a STEM field in New York State for five years after graduation, helping to strengthen New York in critical industries. Learn more or apply for STEM here.
Students who do not meet citizenship and residency requirements may still qualify for New York State financial aid through alternate pathways, such as the Senator José Peralta New York State DREAM Act or the Alternate Eligibility Pathway. Learn more about the available options by visiting the Applying for Aid webpage.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Completing the FAFSA is one of the most important steps for students planning to attend college. The application determines eligibility for federal aid, including the Pell Grant, Federal Work-Study, and low-interest federal student loans, and is also used to help determine eligibility for state programs such as TAP, Excelsior, and STEM.
To ensure New York students aren’t missing out on hundreds of millions in federal financial aid, Governor Hochul introduced the Universal FAFSA Completion legislation, which requires graduating high school seniors to complete the application. This landmark initiative is helping students access the financial aid they qualify for, making higher education more affordable and accessible for students and their families. Since enacting, completions have increased by nearly 12% throughout the state, making New York State sixth in the nation for FAFSA completions.
New York State Higher Education Services Corporation President Dr. Guillermo Linares said, “HESC’s mission is to ensure that higher education remains within reach for every student in New York. With TAP, the STEM Incentive Program, and the FAFSA now open, students have more opportunities to secure the financial support they need. By completing these applications, families can reduce the burden of college costs and help students pursue their dreams.”
State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky said, “TAP and STEM programs help students go to college who otherwise couldn’t afford it. With FAFSA completions up and more middle-class families eligible for TAP, New York is proving that higher education can be both excellent and affordable. These are families that would have likely sent their kids to school out of state. The improvements to TAP and STEM are continuing to help students in all sectors of higher education across the state.”
Assemblymember Alicia L. Hyndman said, “Expanding access to higher education is one of the most meaningful investments we can make in our young people and in the future of New York. Thanks to the NYS Assembly for the expansion of the Tuition Assistance Program, more families—including nearly 38,000 newly eligible students—are receiving the support they need to pursue a college degree. With applications now open for TAP, the STEM Incentive Program, and FAFSA, students in Queens and across the state have greater access to vital financial aid. I am proud to support initiatives that reduce financial barriers and ensure every student has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.”
State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “There is a place at SUNY for every New Yorker, and by completing FAFSA, TAP, and other financial aid applications, prospective students can take an essential step in making an affordable and excellent higher education a reality. Thanks to the SUNY FAFSA Completion Corps, online and in-person FAFSA completion events, and other efforts to support Governor Hochul’s Universal FAFSA law, more New York students are able to take advantage of this empowering opportunity. SUNY is proud to join Governor Hochul in taking action to ensure students and their families are informed about all of their financial aid options.”
City University of New York Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said, “CUNY students qualify for many state financial aid programs but often fail to apply, depriving themselves of much-needed resources to complete their degree. With the opening of the application period for the 2026-27 school year, we urge all New Yorkers to apply for aid to realize their college dreams and graduate debt-free. At CUNY, we have dedicated resources available to help guide them through the process.”
New York State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, “It’s never too early for students, parents, and families to financially plan for the future, especially when it comes to education. For New York State students considering attending college next fall, now is the time to explore the resources available to help manage the cost of higher education. By completing the FAFSA and applying for state aid—such as TAP and the STEM Incentive Program—students can unlock new opportunities and build a strong foundation for academic success.”
Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities President Lola W. Brabham said, “The Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities is deeply committed to ensuring that every student has the resources they need to succeed. With the opening of applications for TAP, STEM scholarships, and the FAFSA, families across the state gain access to critical support that makes higher education more affordable and attainable. The Commission applauds Governor Hochul’s leadership in expanding opportunity and reducing barriers for New York students.”
New York’s Association of Private Colleges President Donna Stelling-Gurnett said, “From advocating for all students to have access to TAP to promoting important resources that will help break down barriers and open doors, APC remains committed to working with our partners to ensure higher education is more affordable and accessible for students and their families. All New Yorkers should have the opportunity to pursue their dreams, and we encourage prospective students to explore the state and federal support available to help get them on the right path.”
Students applying for the 2026–27 academic year are encouraged to submit their financial aid applications as soon as possible. The 2026–27 FAFSA and New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) applications are open until June 30, 2027. Those seeking TAP assistance for the current 2025–26 academic year must submit their applications by June 30, 2026.
Students interested in the NYS STEM Incentive Program for the 2026–27 academic year must apply by August 15, 2026.
For detailed information regarding eligibility, application guidelines, and additional resources, students and families are encouraged to visit the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) website at hesc.ny.gov.
Governor Kathy Hochul appointed conservation leader Kathy Moser to serve as Acting Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYS Parks), pending State Senate confirmation next year. Moser—formerly Chief Conservation & Policy Officer at the Open Space Institute and a past Deputy Commissioner at the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation—will oversee more than 250 parks, historic sites, trails, golf courses, and boat launches that drew a record 88 million visits in 2024. Aligned with Hochul’s focus on mental health, outdoor access, and environmental stewardship, Moser pledged to promote and protect New York’s parks system, a major statewide tourism and economic driver. A Duke University–trained botanist and forest productivity expert, Peace Corps alum, and fluent Spanish speaker, Moser brings decades of leadership at OSI, DEC, World Wildlife Fund, and The Nature Conservancy to guide NYS Parks into the future.
Governor Hochul Appoints Kathy Moser to Serve As Acting Commissioner of the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced her appointment of Kathy Moser to serve as Acting Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Moser will lead the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in an acting role as she awaits confirmation by the New York State Senate next year.
“Kathy Moser has the needed background, experience and commitment to public lands to lead New York’s Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation,” Governor Hochul said. “I want New Yorkers to get offline and get outside because we know nature has the ability to improve one’s mental health and overall wellbeing. I know Kathy understands this critical intersection of my policies to improve New Yorkers’ quality of life and environmental stewardship. This makes her the ideal person to lead this critical agency into the future.”
With a mission to provide safe and enjoyable recreational opportunities for all New York State residents and visitors and to serve as responsible stewards of the state’s natural, historic and cultural resources, the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more. The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation sites drew a record 88 million visits in 2024.
Acting Commissioner of the Office Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Kathy Moser said, “I appreciate the trust Governor Hochul is showing in me to lead this vital agency. I look forward to working with our dedicated team in promoting and protecting our beautiful state parks, campsites, and historic landmarks. Our vast system not only provides affordable relief for New Yorkers looking to take advantage of the outdoors or explore our historic treasures but is an economic driver by attracting tourists from across the country and world.”
Acting Commissioner Moser most recently has been Chief Conservation and Policy Officer at the Open Space Institute (OSI), an East Coast land trust based in New York. Acting Commissioner Moser directed OSI’s Parks, Stewardship and Government Relations programs. Before taking on the role in June 2020, she served as OSI’s Senior Vice President of Parks and Policy.
Prior to OSI, she was appointed Deputy Commissioner for Natural Resources at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in December 2011. She directed DEC’s portfolio in Lands and Forests, Fish and Wildlife, and Marine Resources.
Acting Commissioner Moser has also worked as Managing Director for Strategic Initiatives at World Wildlife Fund and held various senior positions at The Nature Conservancy in New York State (Acting State Director) and in their International Program (Regional Director for Central America) from 1992 to 2009.
She has also been a board member for the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy and New York League of Conservation Voters (Capital District).
Acting Commissioner Moser has her undergraduate degree in botany and master’s degree in forest productivity, both from Duke University. She served in the Peace Corps in Honduras and is fluent in Spanish.
Acting Commissioner Moser is married with three daughters, lives in Albany, and can be found early in the morning rowing and bird watching on the Hudson River.
New York City logged its seventh consecutive quarterly drop in major crime, with Q3 2025 offenses down 3.1% and six of seven index categories falling, Mayor Eric Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said. Shooting incidents declined 15.6% in the quarter (29.7% in September), and shooting victims tied record lows, outcomes officials linked to a data-driven “summer zones” deployment and the seizure of 4,100 illegal guns this year—nearly 24,000 since the administration began. Transit crime reached all-time lows outside the pandemic years, while retail theft fell 19% in the quarter and 13% year to date; the Bronx reversed earlier gains as boroughwide reductions broadened. Murders remain near historic lows, though Adams and Tisch warned federal cuts to NYPD counter-terror funding could erode progress in the months ahead.
Mayor Adams and NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch Brief the Media on Third Quarter Crime Stats, Record Low Shooting Incidents, and Shooting Victims for First Nine Months of the Year
Mayor Eric Adams: Thank you so much, good afternoon. When I ran for office, I was clear on one message. Public safety is a prerequisite to our prosperity. And I threw everything at public safety and ensuring that our citizens could be safe. Probably unlike any other mayor, I spent so many days on the streets of shootings, of homicides, of victims, of individuals being shoved to our subway tracks.
I’ve been in hospitals, funerals, speaking with parents, hearing and feeling the pain that they experience when they are the victims of any form of criminal action. And numbers don’t lie, what we have done is clear.
We lived up to our commitment, and I say it over and over again, we can’t go backwards. We can’t go back to the days of the early 80s when I was a rookie police officer, and we can’t go backwards to 2021. Guns were known to be ordinary tools that were used on our streets to permit crime.
Our 2025 third quarter crime data shows that our public safety system is working. We have gone to work to sweep out crime and illegal activities from our neighborhoods. So if we were to start with the top line, because of what this team has done, not only the commissioner and Chief LiPetri, but also those who are in the front rows. On our subway system and housing, our chief of the Department, our entire team were out there doing the job every day, as well as the men and women who are adorned in the blue uniform and wear that shield on their chest.
We have finished our seven consecutive quarter of crime reduction, seven consecutive quarters. And when you think about it and say it simply, since January 2024, for almost two straight years, crime has consistently declined each and every quarter. Major crime for the third quarter was 3.1 percent equated to over 1,000 fewer victims. And that’s more than 1,000 real people who were no longer the victims of serious crime. And more specifically, six of the seven major crimes were also down for this quarter. Including declines in homicides, robberies, felony assaults, burglaries, grand larcenies, and auto theft.
Major crime in our subway system and our public housing developments were also down for the third quarter of the year, chief of Housing and chief of Transit, a job well done. We cannot thank you enough for what you have accomplished. And those have been areas, particularly housing, where public safety has eluded us for decades. And although you hear about some of the high profile incidents, overall the residents of NYCHA are safer and the residents of our subway system.
When you take out the two years of the COVID, two years when no one was on the subway, you’ll see how these numbers are significant. We set records in our transit system. We had the safest summer in recorded history in our subways when you exclude the pandemic years.
In the third quarter, July, August, and September, index crime was a record low in our subway system except for ‘20 and ‘21. Shooting incidents were also, once again, at record lows for the first nine months of the year. No caveats, no asterisks, plain and simple, the lowest. [Inaudible] at record lows in our city history has continued to show that we’re doing the right thing.
Shooting incidents were down 29.7 percent for September and 15.6 percent for the third quarter of 2025. For the first nine months of the year, shooting victims were also at record lows, tying the previous record set in 2018. Shooting victims were down 32.5 percent for September and 11.3 percent for the quarter.
Shootings are down at a staggering 54 percent, when you compare New York City year to day shootings to the same period immediately before I took office. Those are the dividends paid for more than 4,100 illegal guns removed off our streets. 4,100 illegal guns and the almost 24,000 guns removed since the start of our administration. And that 4,100 number was for this year alone.
This is 24,000, 24,000 weapons that no longer threaten the safety of our neighbors, our families, and our children. More specifically, for September, major crime was down 2.8 percent. It was driven by a decrease in six of the seven major crime categories. That includes double digit percentage declines in homicides, rape, and auto theft, as well as declines in robbery, felony assaults, and burglary.
Retail theft, which you are watching across the country, is taking off. And so we should think about that when individuals want to stop enforcing retail theft, what impacts the financial stability of our city. Retail theft in this city and hate crimes are both continuing their decline for month, quarter, and year to date. This reduction in crime is no accident.
It’s the product of our administration priority to take on crime and quality of life issues. While these numbers show real progress, we know there’s more to do. And we’re not resting until every New Yorker is not only safe, but feels safe in their home, in our subways, and on our sidewalks. We have been clear in this administration, we will not tolerate a feeling of anything goes in our streets. And that includes those who want to carry out quality of life conditions.
We’re going to ensure that we enforce them as long as I’m the mayor of this city. We’re making New York City the best place to raise children and families. Because of our steadfast focus on public safety, the deep bench of leaders we’ve put in place here at police headquarters. And the hard work of the brave men and women of the NYPD, New York City remains the safest big city in America. And a clear indication was that we just had UNGA, UN General Assembly week. And we had Jewish High Holidays, the New Years, and you saw the proper deployment to deal with the dignitaries who were here, as well as ensure that those who wanted to worship were able to worship in safety.
We’re going to continue to do the job that New Yorkers expect from us. I want to turn it over to the commissioner, Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch: Thank you, sir. Good afternoon. It is with deep appreciation for Mayor Eric Adams and immense pride in the women and men of the NYPD that I’m here to report on some historic, record breaking crime reductions achieved by your NYPD cops in the third quarter of this year. Months of July, August, and September, including the fewest shooting incidents for the first nine months of any year, and for any third quarter in recorded history.
Tied for the fewest shooting victims ever for the year, and the second fewest by one for the last quarter. Seven straight quarters of declining major crime under Mayor Adams going back to January 2024. The safest third quarter ever on our subways with all time low major crime numbers for each of the months of July, August, and September, excluding the COVID years. And murders equaled their second lowest level ever for both the third quarter and the year to date.
So let’s get into it and let’s start with shootings. In the first nine months of this year, citywide shooting incidents are down more than 20 percent, their lowest levels ever, shattering the previous record low set in 2018 by 20 fewer incidents. And they are down nearly 16 percent for the quarter, making it the fewest shootings in any third quarter in recorded history.
Shooting victims are also down 19 percent for this year, tied for their lowest levels ever. And they were down more than 11 percent last quarter, the second best third quarter in recorded history. We always hear about how shootings spike in the summer months, but your NYPD cops did not just slow that trend, they reversed it.
Shooting incidents fell by double digits in four out of our five boroughs last quarter, led by a 26 percent reduction in the Bronx, a 20 percent reduction on Staten Island, a nearly 19 percent drop in Manhattan, and an almost 18 percent reduction in Queens.
In Brooklyn, shootings were up less than 3 percent for the third quarter, which represents two more shooting incidents in that borough from a year ago. But it is still the second best quarter for Brooklyn shootings in recorded history. And to be very clear, over the past nine months, Brooklyn has seen the lowest number of shootings ever recorded.
For the year, the decline in shooting incidents is led by Staten Island at more than 38 percent, Manhattan at over 34 percent, followed by Queens at 22 percent, the Bronx at 20 percent, and Brooklyn at more than 12 percent. And this is not a coincidence. It is the direct result of an unprecedented, precise, data-driven deployment of thousands of officers.
We took cops out of desk jobs and put them on high visibility foot posts where and when they were needed most. And we told them to get the guns and to go after the gangs, and they did that in unprecedented fashion. I encourage all New Yorkers to join me in expressing their deep appreciation for the men and women of the NYPD for their noble, selfless, and historic work this summer.
The centerpiece of our strategy over the last quarter has been our summer zones. Up to 2,300 cops were sent to work in 72 summer zones across nearly 60 communities last May. The largest deployment of its kind in NYPD history. But this strategy wasn’t just about size. It was about planned precision, and it worked.
Over the past 19 weeks in our summer zones, shooting incidents fell more than 47 percent during deployment, with shooting victims down 44 percent. This includes a 77 percent reduction in Manhattan North, a 46 percent reduction in Brooklyn North, and a 40 percent reduction in shootings in the Bronx. I want to be clear, the communities where we’re seeing the deepest reductions in violent crime are the same communities that have historically been plagued by the most gun violence.
We saw crime reductions in every single borough during deployment, with overall crime in our summer zones down more than 18 percent, felony assaults down 25 percent, robberies down 23 percent, murders down 18 percent, auto theft down 15 percent, grand larceny down 12 percent, and burglary down nearly 1 percent.
This is what happens when we’re not only working hard, but we are working smart. We know that this zone plan is effective, and we know why. It is a data-driven, scalpel approach to fighting crime and disorder. That strategy is going to continue into the fall, and you’ll hear more about the summer zones from the architect of that strategy, Chief LiPetri, in a moment.
Now let me give you the overall crime picture. For both the third quarter and year to date, major crime is down in our precincts, on our subways, and in our housing developments. For the year to date, overall crime is down about 4 percent citywide, and fell more than 3 percent last quarter, making this the seventh straight quarter of declining crime under Mayor Adams, going back to January of last year. And for the month of September, major crime was lower in every one of our eight patrol boroughs.
Of note, we had significant crime reductions in Queens of nearly 7.5 percent for the quarter, and more than 9 percent for the year. And Manhattan, down more than 5 percent for the quarter, and over 4 percent for the year. And in the past three months, we reversed an upward trend that we were seeing in the Bronx, going from a 6.2 percent crime increase in the second quarter to a 3.4 percent decrease in the third quarter.
Given that the past three months are historically when our city sees the most crime and violence at any time during the year, I want to commend all of the Bronx cops who refused to accept the narrative that their borough was an outlier when it came to public safety.
Where they did see stubborn pockets of crime, they executed our plan to address it. Looking at the seven major crime categories, citywide murders are down nearly 18 percent for both the year and for the quarter, bringing them to their second lowest level ever for both time frames. And these aren’t just percentages, they are lives saved.
So far this year, there have been 52 fewer people killed in New York City compared to 2024. Burglaries in the third quarter were down to their second lowest level in recorded history, dropping more than 9 percent, and they are down nearly 4 percent for the year.
Citywide robberies are down nearly 10 percent year to date, and more than 5 percent for the quarter. That means 1,200 fewer incidents than in 2024, reversing an upward trend that we saw through the first nine months of last year. Grand larcenies fell by more than 4 percent for the year, and we’re down 0.5 percent for the quarter, extending the declines we’ve seen in this crime for the last three years in a row.
We’re seeing similar multi-year declines in auto theft. After a significant increase during and immediately after the pandemic, we are now down by more than 4 percent for both the year and the third quarter.
Felony assault, a crime that is mainly driven by domestic violence and attacks on our officers, is about 1 percent lower for the year and down nearly 4 percent for the quarter. And back in July, when we presented the second quarter crime stats, we said that rape was the one index crime that had increased up 21 percent through June. And we explained that the rise was largely due to a change in state law that went into effect in September 2024, which rightfully broadened the legal definition of rape to better capture the full range of these crimes.
Now that we’re past the one year mark of that change, we finally have a clear year over year comparison. And the numbers do show progress. For September of this year compared to last, rape was down more than 13 percent, and this is the first time in over 12 months that we are looking at the same universe of survivors.
And the tide is also turning on our subways. Outside of the COVID years, we just had the safest third quarter ever in transit with major crime falling by nearly 14 percent. Each of the past three individual months, July, August, and September, was the safest in recorded history for major crime. And year to date, crime in our subways is down more than 4 percent to its lowest levels in 15 years, excluding the pandemic years.
For this year, robberies in transit are down to their lowest levels ever, and shooting incidents are down a remarkable 67 percent. Overall, crime in our subways is nearly 12 percent below pre-pandemic levels, with robbery down more than 24 percent, and felony theft down nearly 27 percent.
These results don’t just make the transit system safer, they make people feel safer too. A recent poll conducted by the MTA showed that nearly seven out of ten New York City subway riders felt safe while using the system, an increase of 12 percent from the beginning of this year. Why? Because people are seeing more cops on the trains and on the platforms where we know that the vast majority of transit crime occurs.
The sentiment is shifting, and it’s not just about a visible police presence. Over the past ten years, the transit rules against taking up multiple seats, laying outstretched, smoking, drinking alcohol, etc., were not consistently enforced. This increased the perception of an unsafe system, and it needed to change.
So this year, we made that change. Our cops will no longer walk by someone who is violating the law and disrupting other passengers, they will correct the condition. And I want to be clear, this is about restoring a sense of safety and order in the system. It is also a response to New Yorkers telling us that unchecked disorder makes them feel less safe on the trains. That’s why we’re also matching our enforcement with services.
Through the mayor’s PATH program launched last year, the NYPD has partnered with city agencies, local nurses, clinicians, service providers, and others to provide services such as shelter, meals, medical care, and mental health support. This is how we deliver a safer, more accessible system for all.
Looking ahead, I want to highlight an issue that has taken on increased importance in neighborhoods across our city, and that is retail theft. The numbers here are encouraging. In the third quarter, retail theft dropped by nearly 19 percent citywide, bringing us 13 percent lower for the year compared to 2024. And this didn’t happen by accident. It is a true indicator of what an effective, comprehensive crime fighting plan can really do.
For too long, shoplifting was a leading sign of disorder and lawlessness on our streets to the point where everyday goods behind lock and key has become the norm. Since most retail theft is classified as a misdemeanor though, it wasn’t given the same attention as more serious violent crimes were. But tell that to the small businesses who are constantly victimized by thieves. Tell that to the local shop owners who are unable to make their rent and forced to close in the face of crushing shoplifting losses. It’s devastating to them and it hurts our communities and the NYPD has said no more through a multifaceted, precise, data driven approach.
This year, every precinct in the city has designed and implemented a retail theft plan, which puts officers on foot posts in high propensity locations during the specific hours when most retail theft occurs. And we began seriously investigating these crimes as well. Establishing patterns, identifying recidivists, tracking perps, and closing cases.
This includes closer coordination between patrol cops, squad detectives, and transit officers. Since we know many shoplifters attempt to flee into our subways. Finally, retail theft became a focal point of our weekly CompStat meetings, where local commanders provide our executive staff with regular updates on what’s working and discuss solutions to what isn’t.
The results are clear. Our officers made nearly 6,600 shoplifting arrests last quarter alone. A 30 percent increase from pre-pandemic levels and nearly 21,300 arrests citywide so far this year, which is 40 percent more than in 2019. So it is no wonder that in 2025, retail theft is down in four of our five boroughs.
This work restores order in our neighborhoods. It restores the confidence of our local businesses and it sends a direct, unambiguous message. Shoplifters, regardless of the amount they steal, will be investigated, identified, and arrested. Because accountability matters here.
In a moment, our Chief of Crime Control Strategies, Mike LiPetri, will break down these numbers even further. But I want to take this opportunity to thank the women and men of the NYPD. Every piece of data we’re presenting today is a reflection of their work.
When we talk about record setting crime reductions, we’re talking about the cops. These gains have been achieved on their backs. Long, hot nights of grueling foot posts, risking their own lives to get guns off the street, and an uncommon instinct to run toward the danger when everyone else runs away. These results are also a reflection of the steady leadership and forward leaning strategies developed by our chiefs. Among them, of course, our Chief of Department, John Chell, our Chief of Crime Control Strategies, Mike LiPetri, our Chief of Patrol, Phil Rivera, our Chief of Transit, Joe Gulotta, our Chief of Housing, Charles McEvoy, and our Chief of Detectives, Joe Kenney.
New Yorkers should know that they are served by the most extraordinarily talented group of police leaders that I have seen in my 18 year career. No one does it better, and it is truly the greatest privilege of my lifetime to lead them. And of course, none of this would be possible without the leadership of Mayor Adams, who has made public safety the bedrock of his long service to the city.
Under his watch, we’ve invested in the tools of tomorrow from drones that expand our reach to new facilities, like the 4-0 station house and the brand new 116 precinct that strengthen our foundation. He has given us the people we need, setting us on a pace this year to hire more officers than at any time in the past 40 years. He has quite literally backed the blue.
His vision has turned promises into progress, and his partnership has made New York safer, stronger, and more secure. And all these results are a testament to his leadership. So that was some very good news, but now I have to comment on some profoundly bad news.
The federal government’s decision to slash counter-terrorism funding for the NYPD from 90 million down to nearly 10 million is a betrayal of this city. I want to be very direct about this. If these cuts go through as planned, it will represent a devastating blow to our counter-terrorism and intelligence programs in New York City. The impact of these cuts won’t be felt immediately. New York City will not be a less safe place tomorrow as a result of all of this.
But it will absolutely be a less safe place six months from now. Let me be clear, these funds are the backbone of the NYPD’s counter-terrorism programs. They pay for our highly trained bomb squad technicians, our officers with heavy weapons who guard our subways in major events, the critical response teams who do counter-terrorism patrols at our houses of worship and other sensitive locations, our radiation detection capabilities, the intelligence analysts who uncover plots before they become attacks, our camera systems that enable us to monitor conditions in real time, and the training that prepares us for active shooter attacks.
Counter-terrorism funding cannot be a political issue. It cannot rise and fall based on partisan whims. To strip this funding away from the number one terrorist target in the world is a profound mistake. The cold, hard truth is that since 9/11, New York City has faced more than 70 terrorism plots and ideologically driven acts of violence. And with the support of these critical resources, the women and men of the NYPD have kept our city safe.
Cutting these resources now in a time of global conflict and surging threats puts lives at risk and will make our city meaningfully less safe. To be blunt, this is the difference between a city that prevents the next attack and a city left exposed to it. And I will not stop pressing this issue until the federal government restores the funding and ensures that we continue to have the resources that we need to keep you all safe. Now, I will turn it over to our Chief of Crime Control Strategies, Michael LiPetri.
Michael LiPetri, Chief of Crime Control Strategies, Police Department: Good afternoon. So as the commissioner said, I’m going to speak specifically about the Summer Violence Plan of 2025, which started on May 5th and it ended on September 14th. We identified 72 summer zones across the city for targeted deployment at specific times. 40 precincts, 10 transit districts, and 8 public service areas. The zones were based off of historical data, high volume, violent street crime prone locations.
We used historical intelligence and data analytics to determine deployment, with of course, relentless follow up and precision. Collaborative policing and investigations between all units in the department. Our Gun Violence Suppression Division, our Narcotics Division, our Vice Division, our Neighborhood Safety Teams, our Intelligence Bureau, Housing Bureau, Transit Bureau, patrol, detective squads throughout the city.
Summer violent zones saw an overall decrease of 18 percent less index crimes as compared to last year. Every borough is down in index crimes since inception on May 5th. The transit system within the summer violent zones had efforts focused system wide, which translated to a 14 percent decrease in index crimes. Furthermore, our summer violent zones within our Housing Bureau also achieved significant reductions in index crimes to the tune of 17 percent decrease.
While on the topic of housing, year to date, we have seen the lowest number of murders in housing history. For the third quarter, second lowest number of murders in housing history. Year to date, third lowest year for robberies in housing history. And for the quarter, lowest number of robberies in housing history.
I like to talk about the special Times Square zone. Why am I speaking of that? The crossroads of the world, with hundreds of thousands of people going into that area every day. The zone covers from 6th Avenue to 9th Avenue, from 4-0 to 5-1. Saw a 41 percent reduction in overall crime. That’s a 33 percent robbery decrease and a 34 percent decrease in felony assaults in Times Square. Robberies within the zones, down 23 percent. Felony assaults, down 25 percent.
I’d like to touch on the shootings, city wide between that time frame, May 5th to 9/14. City wide shooting incidents overall, lowest in CompStat history. City wide shooting victims, lowest in CompStat history. City wide murders, second lowest in CompStat history. Let’s talk about housing again. Murders, 12, lowest in CompStat history. Shooting incidents, lowest in CompStat history. Shooting victims, lowest in CompStat history.
This city saw 400 less shooting victims from the year prior to Mayor Adams’ administration in 2021. Think about that, 708 shooting incidents in approximately four month period. That’s what the city is in target right now for the whole year. That is just phenomenal. And that’s hard work, and that’s the men and women doing it.
Let’s talk about the individual summer zone shooting stats. 47 percent decrease, as the commissioner said, overall in the summer zones. Upper Manhattan, down 79 percent in shooting in zones. The Washington Heights zone in the 3-4, zero shootings. The Central Harlem zone in the 3-2, zero shootings. The Bronx, down 40 percent in shootings in the zones. Morrisania in the 4-4, zero shootings for four and a half months in that zone. East Tremont, 4-8, zero shootings in that zone for four and a half months.
Let’s go over to Brooklyn North, 46 percent decrease in shootings in those zones. Crown Heights, 7-7, that zone, down 83 percent shootings, they took one shooting. Brownsville, Brooklyn, the 7-3, that zone, down 56 percent in shootings. Cops were deployed at the right locations. 31 percent of all the gun arrests in the summer were within the zones. Over 350 guns recovered in those zones, and I’m going to tell you stories, because they’re really good.
Example number one, in a 90 minute span on July 9th into July 10th in Mott Haven, in the 4-0, we take two shots fired incidents, and we take three separate arrests of teenagers with guns. The first incident, at 2315, on July 9th. There’s a confirmed shots fired in the Mott Haven houses. Within a month, the 4-0 detective squad solved that case, and that individual has been charged and indicted for attempted murder in CPW-2. As I said in the beginning, we’ve asked all our bureaus to do something different in the zone, and they did.
Approximately an hour later, an 18-year-old male arrested with a gun in the Mitchell houses. Two minutes later, we get another confirmed shots fired. But guess what? The deployment was out there, five minutes later, two separate gun arrests, a 17-year-old and a 17-year-old. Why is this even more significant? Because over the past two weeks in this city, 25 percent of our shooting victims have been under the age of 18. That’s why it’s more significant.
Example number two, three live gun arrests in the 4-0 and the 4-4 zones within about two hours. And remember, these are our field training officers that are grabbing these guns. On 9-8, at 0029 hours, FTU personnel observed an individual drinking an open container of alcohol, found to be in possession of a firearm. About a half hour later, our FTU officers observed an individual riding a city bike, recklessly, found to be in possession of a firearm. And at about 3:30 in the morning, as the commissioner said, still out there, 3:30 in the morning, in front of a problematic club in the 4-4, grabbed a guy with a pistol.
With two tragic incidents in the Bronx, on April 23rd and September 1st, where we’ve had multiple people shot, the response by the units that were deployed to those zones yielded four individuals arrested for the first incident with four guns recovered. And for the second incident, same thing. Four individuals running from that scene with four guns recovered.
And I’d like to just compare the Bronx overall, since I gave the Bronx a lot of credit, as they should get credit, because they have the most zones and they have the most cops. But the cops are out there and the detectives are out there doing the work. So let me compare that to 2021, before the Adams administration took over. The Bronx has seen 203 less shooting victims for the year. That’s lives saved. I just want to thank again all the men and women, and my partners to the right of me, for everything. Thank you.
Question: [Inaudible] budget impasse or does it predate that?
Police Commissioner Tisch: It is not part of the current budget impasse. It’s completely separate. We became aware of the funding totals this week, and this is part of the Department of Homeland Security administers Homeland Security grant programs. And this is our UASI grant and our Homeland Security grant program funding that has been decimated.
Question: [Inaudible.]
Chief LiPetri: So we did do it last summer, we just did not do it with as many cops, with as many zones. It is not just cops on foot, right? In the beginning, I spoke about all the different NYPD units that we asked to do something different. We prioritize, we use precision. Our Detective Bureau, our transit offices, our housing offices. Multiple detective bureau units, narcotics. We wanted them focused in these zones, and obviously it speaks for itself, the success.
Question: [Inaudible.]
Police Commissioner Tisch: Now these are really focused on our counter-terrorism programs.
Question: [Inaudible.]
Police Commissioner Tisch: No, just to be clear, these cuts are devastating or would be devastating if they go through to our counter-terrorism programs, as opposed to our crime-fighting abilities.
Question: [Inaudible.]
Mayor Adams: Yeah, and I think the commissioner probably articulated how important it is that we have the funding to do our terrorist operation. New York City is still a real target for those who want to hurt our city. We’re seeing extremist behavior that’s taking place across the entire globe. And these funds are crucial, not only because the United Nations is here. We have the largest Jewish population outside of Israel that’s here. So many other groups that are the victims of some of the targets.
And so to be able to be proactive and reactive is crucial. And so we cannot make it any clearer, and I think the commissioner did an excellent job of pointing out the substantial amount of money that we get in the way of doing the job that we do. We are the number one target for many people who want to harm our city.
Question: [Inaudible.]
Mayor Adams: Yeah, listen, I’m leaving this city in good shape. I mean, what more can you say? The city is– more jobs in the city’s history. Our children are outpacing the state in reading and math. We built more housing– We’ve zoned the city to build 426,000 units of housing.
We made the city safer, both above ground, below ground. You don’t see encampments along our highways and streets like you see in other cities. This city’s in good shape. And we need to make sure we don’t go backwards. And I’m going to say you in the words of Bloomberg, when I became mayor, don’t [] it up.
Question: The commissioner used the word “historic” I don’t even know how many times.
Police Commissioner Tisch: You caught that?
Question: But, I’m wondering, how confident are you that your successor, whomever it is, will be able to carry on this legacy and maybe even build on it?
Mayor Adams: I’m not. I’m not. To do what we have done around housing, around public safety, around business, around bringing in business here. To do that, you have to really have the ability to ignore the noise. And it comes with a price tag. And I can’t say I am extremely optimistic about what is going to happen.
When you talk about removing 3,000 dangerous inmates off of Rikers Island and putting them back in the communities that we took them out of. When you talk about disbanding SRG. When you talk about telling police officers not to respond to domestic violence incidents.
When you want to take away the gang database and not collaborate with the takedowns of gangs, which had a lot to do with our safety takedown gangs. Almost, I think, 40 to 50 percent of our shootings are gangs. We don’t understand how imperative it is to focus on guns, get the guns, get them off the street. If that is not your plan, then it’s problematic.
And I am not confident that our New Yorkers are going to continue this success that we have witnessed. Because when you talk about safety, you have to be very clear and you have to be very focused. And I don’t see that clarity. Idealism collides with realism when it talks about going after dangerous and bad people. There are people who want to hurt our residents and who want to hurt our city.
And if you don’t have a welcome mat for businesses so that we have employment, if you’re not willing to sit down with billionaires who pay 50 percent of our taxes, those who are a million plus. When you talk about taxing white communities, all of these things are hurting what it takes to have a successful city. We didn’t stumble into success, we had a well-focused plan.
And then you have to be ready for emergencies. No one expected 237,000 migrants and asylum seekers to come to the city. You don’t even talk about it anymore. It has become so good for you guys that you don’t even realize it. But you know what? You’re going to miss me. Thank you.
New York City said it will participate in a proposed $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family, steering about $48 million to the five boroughs to combat opioid harms. The deal—stemming from litigation launched in 2017—combines $6.5 billion from certain Sackler family members and an expected $900 million from Purdue’s bankruptcy estate pending court approval later this fall. City officials said the funds build on roughly $190 million already recovered and are projected to push total opioid-related proceeds to more than $550 million by 2041, supporting prevention, harm-reduction, and treatment efforts across DOHMH, NYC Health + Hospitals, and the Office of Chief Medical Examiner. The Adams administration has ramped opioid spending to about $50 million annually as overdose deaths showed improvement in late 2024. New Yorkers can call or text 988 for 24/7 support.
City of New York Takes Steps Toward Recovering Approximately $48 Million From Opioid Manufacturer in Ongoing Litigation to Bring Closure to Communities Affected by Opioid Crises
– New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant today announced the city’s commitment to participate in a new proposed settlement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family that would bring approximately $48 million to the five boroughs and, more importantly, closure to the communities torn apart by the opioid crisis. The settlement is the result of litigation brought, beginning in 2017, by the city, numerous state attorneys general, and several thousand subdivisions across the country to address the harms caused by the opioid crises. The total settlement amount is expected to be approximately $7.4 billion, including $4.5 billion for state and local governments, of which approximately $48 million will go to the City of New York. The settlement would combine an agreement with certain members of the Sackler family to pay $6.5 billion and an anticipated contribution from the bankruptcy estate of Purdue Pharma, expected to be $900 million pending approval from the bankruptcy court on the proposed bankruptcy plan later this fall. Purdue Pharma and certain members of the Sackler family were at the heart of a scheme to misleadingly market prescription opioids as safe and effective for long-term chronic pain management, contributing greatly to the nationwide opioid crisis.
“The opioid crisis stole thousands of lives, tore apart countless communities, and devastated families across our city and the rest of the nation, and while nothing can replace all that we lost, we will never stop fighting until we bring justice to communities devastated by this crisis,” said Mayor Adams. “At the heart of the scheme to hook Americans on opioids were the Sackler family and their company, Purdue Pharma, and the potential for this $7.4 billion settlement will serve as an example of how New Yorkers can trust us to always hold those with power accountable when they break the law and harm our citizens. I thank Corporation Counsel Goode-Trufant and the Law Department for their role in this settlement and for helping to ensure we do what we can to help make New Yorkers whole again.”
“This settlement will represent a major milestone in the city’s longstanding legal effort to hold manufacturers and distributors of prescription opioids accountable for their role in the city’s deadly opioid epidemic,” said Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant. “The opioid crisis resulted in a tremendous human and financial cost to the city. This $48 million settlement adds to the hundreds of millions of dollars we have already worked to recover from irresponsible drug companies. I commend all the dedicated individuals on the city’s legal team for their work in bringing about this outstanding result.”
Today’s announcement builds on the work the city has done to bring justice to the victims and families of the opioid epidemic. In January 2018, the City of New York sued manufacturers and distributors of prescription opioids to remedy the harms caused within the city by the misleading marketing and improper distribution of these drugs. New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a similar lawsuit in March 2019. Settlements reached by both the city and the state, as well as a court victory by Attorney General James, have provided the City of New York alone with nearly $190 million as of the end of Fiscal Year 2025, which, with this new settlement, is expected to grow to a total of more than $550 million by 2041. In April 2022, Mayor Adams and Attorney General James announced allocations for the first of hundreds of millions of dollars coming to New York City to combat the opioid crisis. In September 2024, Mayor Adams announced city funding will ramp up to an annual $50 million for opioid prevention and treatment.
Ongoing funds from opioid settlements have supported new and expanded activities at New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), NYC Health + Hospitals, and the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner that collectively aim to reduce opioid overdose deaths through harm reduction, preventive, and treatment strategies.
Funds from opioid settlements through DOHMH have supported wraparound services for syringe service programs, including on-site medical care, connections to health care and social services, and support for basic needs. Between July 2024 and April 2025, syringe service programs that operate Overdose Prevention Centers provided more than 38,000 harm reduction services to approximately 6,600 participants, reducing the risk of overdose and infectious disease and providing referrals to treatment and other health and social services. In 2023, the Adams administration also allocated $3 million to eight providers on Staten Island through a request for proposal to directly support the expansion of buprenorphine treatment, outreach and engagement, and care navigation services in the borough. Procurement to expand the number of hospitals participating in DOHMH’s emergency department-based nonfatal opioid overdose response program, called Relay, remains ongoing.
Since beginning to receive funding through opioid settlements, NYC Health + Hospitals has had over 9,800 patient engagements with expanded substance use services at Street Health Outreach and Wellness vans, nearly 80,000 encounters with patients in emergency departments with addiction services provided by the Emergency Department Leads program, and has successfully launched a cutting-edge addiction simulation training for emergency department prescribers. Additionally, NYC Health + Hospitals has provided comprehensive addiction consultations at over 23,000 inpatient admissions through the Consult for Addiction Treatment and Care in Hospitals program. Further, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner’s Drug Intelligence and Intervention Group program has offered support services to more than 2,000 individuals following the death of a loved one from an overdose.
Today’s investment and all of the actions taken by Mayor Adams and the Adams administration to prevent overdose deaths also underscore the administration’s efforts to improve and extend the average lifespan of all New Yorkers through “HealthyNYC” to 83 years by 2030. HealthyNYC sets ambitious targets to address the greatest drivers of premature death, including chronic and diet-related diseases, screenable cancers, overdose, suicide, maternal mortality, violence, and COVID-19.
New Yorkers looking to access substance use services can call or text 988 for free, confidential support 24/7. Resources can also be found on the “NYC HealthMap” and on DOHMH’s website.
Today’s announcement builds on Mayor Adams’ “End the Culture of Anything Goes” campaign, which highlights the work the administration has done to date to change the culture and laws that prevented people with severe mental illness from getting the help they needed, while simultaneously making the investments necessary to support outreach, harm reduction, wraparound services, and housing — all in an effort to make lasting impacts in lives and communities. Mayor Adams is bringing the same energy and approach that proved to be successful in carving a new path to help people with severe mental illness to address other health crises, like drug addiction, playing out on city streets, and recently laid out plans to realize that vision by connecting those suffering with treatment.
