Part 6/8:
Beyond finances, the city’s social fabric is unraveling. Law enforcement agencies are already understaffed, with police officer numbers down by roughly 10,000. Mayor Mandami's perceived softness on crime and reluctance to incarcerate violent offenders are exacerbating safety concerns. If police continue to leave or retire, and if recruitment diminishes, the city could become a hotbed of lawlessness.
This decline in safety can lead to a domino effect—more crime, deteriorating public services, and an overall decline in quality of life. Residents, including high-income homeowners and even the affluent Park Avenue elites, will feel the impact firsthand, facing increased crime, sanitation issues, proliferation of rats, and declining neighborhood safety.