Bay Ridge

Mayor Adams pays tribute to Bay Ridge as a NORC

His Older Adult Town Hall recognized a ‘Naturally Occurring Retirement Community’

May 1, 2024 Wayne Daren Schneiderman
Mayor Adams fielding a question from the audience. Photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
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BAY RIDGE — The Bay Ridge Center was front and center for New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ Community Town Hall meeting recently, where main topics of discussion were crime and public safety, immigration and e-bikes.  

This Town Hall was a bit more unique than previous gatherings.

Coordinated in conjunction with NYC Aging, the center’s principal partner, it was promoted as an “OATH” or “Older Adult Town Hall.” The meeting focused on the issues of older adults, according to Todd W. Fliedner, executive director of the Bay Ridge Center (BRC).

More than 100 were in attendance for the meeting, the majority of which were older adults and members of the center.

Adams also had several administration officials on the panel, including  Martin Maher, NYC Parks Brooklyn Borough Commissioner; Mark Stewart, NYPD deputy commissioner of Community Affairs; Kristen Schafer, captain of the 68th Precinct; Kim Wiley-Schwartz, assistant commissioner of the Department of Transportation; and Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez, commissioner of NYC Aging.

Mayor Adams and panelists (from left): Martin Maher, NYC Parks Brooklyn Borough Commissioner; Kieran Mahoney, director of outreach at the Department of Finance; Christopher Wagner, Rent Freeze Outreach manager; Annabel Palma, Commission on Human Rights commissioner; Kim Wiley-Schwartz, assistant commissioner of Department of Transportation; Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez, commissioner of NYC Aging; Sprio Papavlasopoulo, captain of NYPD Crime Prevention Division; Mark Stewart, NYPD deputy commissioner of Community Affairs; Kristen Schafer, captain of 68th Precinct. Photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
Mayor Adams and panelists (from left): Martin Maher, NYC Parks Brooklyn Borough Commissioner; Kieran Mahoney, director of outreach at the Department of Finance; Christopher Wagner, Rent Freeze Outreach manager; Annabel Palma, Commission on Human Rights commissioner; Kim Wiley-Schwartz, assistant commissioner of Department of Transportation; Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez, commissioner of NYC Aging; Sprio Papavlasopoulo, captain of NYPD Crime Prevention Division; Mark Stewart, NYPD deputy commissioner of Community Affairs; Kristen Schafer, captain of 68th Precinct. Photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
Mark Stewart, deputy commissioner of Community Affairs, NYPD. Photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
Mark Stewart, deputy commissioner of Community Affairs, NYPD. Photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman

 

Martin Maher, Brooklyn Borough NYC Parks Commissioner. Photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
Martin Maher, Brooklyn Borough NYC Parks Commissioner. Photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman

After much anticipation, the mayor walked out to an ovation and Alicia Keys and Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind.”
Adams spent significant time reflecting on his accomplishments, speaking about a double-digit decrease in homicides.

“Five of the seven major crime categories are down,” said Adams, adding that 4.1 million riders are also back on the subway system, and 15,000 illegal guns have been taken off of the street. “[The police] are doing their jobs.” 

Over 100 people attended the mayor’s Town Hall meeting at the Bay Ridge Center Thursday. Photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
Over 100 people attended the mayor’s Town Hall meeting at the Bay Ridge Center Thursday. Photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman

The migrant debacle was a hot topic as well, with one woman asking, “I don’t understand why [migrants] can’t come in legally.”

The mayor responded: “Migrants and asylum seekers are legally here.”

“When I go to the shelters and speak to the thousands that are on Randall’s Island, you know what they say to me? ‘We don’t want your food; we don’t want anything from you; we want to work,’” Adams said. “And that’s how you pursue the American dream.” 

Adam continued, “People also have to understand that I’m the mayor and not the president; I have no authority to put immigration policies in place — the Federal government does that.”

 

Mayor Adams listening to a member’s query. Photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
Mayor Adams listening to a member’s query. Photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman

Another audience member addressed the e-bike situation, noting that he has come close to being hit by them several times.

“Anyone who has ever seen any enforcement of the e-bike laws in Bay Ridge, please raise their hands,” he asked.

No one did.

“For whatever reason, this doesn’t seem to be enforced in Bay Ridge,” the man said. “And as senior pedestrians, while on sidewalks, we have a high chance of getting hit by these e-bikes.” 

Kristen Schafer countered with statistics.

“In reality, we are enforcing things,” Schafer said. “Year to date, we have issued over 300 summonses, made 25 arrests and seized 80 e-bikes.”  

The audience member also suggested license plates be placed on the backs of bikes.

“How can police catch people when there are no plates on the bikes?” he asked.  This is a huge problem, especially here in Bay Ridge.

From left: Todd W. Fliedner, executive director of Bay Ridge Center, with members and Bay Ridge locals June Johnson, Madeline Fryer and Sonia. Photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
From left: Todd W. Fliedner, executive director of Bay Ridge Center, with members and Bay Ridge locals June Johnson, Madeline Fryer and Sonia. Photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman

With regard to crime in the city, one older adult in the audience explained that as you age, something as simple as walking down the street can become an issue.

“A 25-year-old can be jumped, and they may be black and blue,” she said. “But a 75-year-old that gets jumped can end up dead. Perception is reality. It doesn’t matter what the numbers say; if we feel unsafe, then we are.” 

“Our numbers are impressive. And when you do an analysis of cities, we are still the safest big city in America,” said Adams.

From left: New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Todd W. Fliedner, executive director, Bay Ridge Center. Photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
From left: New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Todd W. Fliedner, executive director, Bay Ridge Center. Photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman

One of the final questions posed gave accolades to the Bay Ridge Center itself.
“I’m sure you are aware that you are in a state-of-the-art senior center,” a woman noted. “And speaking on behalf of all my fellow seniors throughout the five boroughs, we need more facilities like this.”

Adams, nodding his head in agreement, pointed out that he wants to continue to create more safe, innovative and clean spaces like the BRC.

“We are with you on this,” he said. 





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