Adams argues that he must ensure the safety of the city by mostly exempting the NYPD from the most recent budget cuts

On Tuesday, Mayor Eric Adams defended mostly leaving the NYPD out of his most recent budget cuts, claiming that most other departments should also be forced to cut costs due to the “economic tsunami that is coming toward our city.”

Adams’ latest austerity directive, which his budget director unveiled on Monday, instructs municipal departments to permanently cut half of all empty positions from their headcounts to save $350 million in city funds annually.

The order also advises agencies that any new initiatives or programs must be funded by existing resources rather than receiving funding from the administration.

However, “uniformed” positions are excluded from the cost-cutting mandate.

Adams told reporters Tuesday morning that this is because, in his opinion, the NYPD and other public safety agencies are especially crucial given a recent increase in several crime categories.

“We have a crime surge that we must address,” said Adams, a retired NYPD captain.

When asked if the selective budget cuts send a negative message to municipal employees who aren’t wearing uniforms, Adams responded, “One thing we cannot ever compromise on is safety.

Public safety is a must for our prosperity, and that serves as our economic stimulant, as I often stated.

We won’t be able to remain a city if we are dangerous.

Adams asserted that his administration must cut many expenses at other organizations, citing a raging city budget deficit that, if left unattended to, might reach $6 billion by 2026 and necessitate sudden service reductions.

“We need to be prepared for the economic tsunami that is coming toward our city. No one is saying that’s not true,” he said.