NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo said on Thursday that he agrees with Mayor Eric Adams' approach to crime, though he can't go at it alone.
In his most recent public appearance, the disgraced Democrat spoke to the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization at a Bronx church, where he discussed cancel culture, "defund the police" and other topics in an apparent continued effort to salvage his political career amid rumors he's pondering another gubernatorial run.
Cuomo blasted crime that's "taking over" New York City, but praised Adams for understanding "the reality of the crime problem we're facing and [wanting] to do what needs to be done" as a former cop.
However, the 64-year-old said he needs help from the state.
"He can’t do it on his own," Cuomo said. "He needs new state laws to make this city safe again."
Cuomo added the need to address the state's bail reform in an effort to aid Adams' approach to rising crime. While he acknowledged that he signed into law the current reforms as governor in 2019.
"I made changes to bail reform after we passed it, and we now know more changes are necessary," he added. "They require changes to the law. That is not a step backwards, it is a step forwards."
Cuomo, on the other hand, said his "crystal ball" shows lawmakers are unwilling to make more changes to bail reform, as Adams has requested.
"This is a game they are playing and they all know it, and even the press knows it, because it defies fifty years of legislative history," he said. "They don’t want to do it in the budget because they don’t want to do it."
Meanwhile, The New York Post reports that his successor, Gov. Kathy Hochul will propose a public safety plan that includes giving judges more discretion to order bail and detain criminal defendants for a variety of other crimes, including repeat offenders, based on their criminal history.
Hours before this report broke, Cuomo warned that if changes aren't made, Adams' pleas "will be in vain."
"Inaction in this case allows crime to continue to increase in New York City, and that will accelerate our decline," he said.
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