Bill de Blasio leaves: how New Yorkers assess his 8 years of ruling the city

Mayor Bill de Blasio often says that New Yorkers rarely agree. This phrase, of course, can be applied to what the townspeople think about his activities as mayor over the past eight years. It is reported by Gothamist.

As part of the WNYC / Gothamist Grading De Blasio Series dedicated to exploring the track record de Blasio, reporters asked New Yorkers how they view his leadership in the city. Reviews were mixed: some welcomed Blasio's activities, while others criticized her.

Below is a breakdown of some New Yorkers' thoughts on Bill de Blasio's successes, failures, and hopes for his successor, newly elected Mayor Eric Adams. Interviews edited for clarity.

Barbara Bukio, Staten Island

What is de Blasio's greatest achievement?

Pre-K for everyone. It works great and many kids get good education... Perhaps this possibility would not have been possible if he had not tried to do it.

What is de Blasio's mistake?

He didn’t bring homelessness down, and it really makes me feel bad. I would not want to blame him, but it happened during his service - there were many more homeless people.

What do you expect from Mayor Eric Adams?

I hope that he will be able to achieve equal treatment of people, and this is not an easy task. There are strong income inequalities. I don't know if there is anything that can be done about it. But I still hope that the mayor-elect can focus on this. And he will be able to improve police work without discriminating against people and harassing them because of their race.

Nancy Burke, Staten Island

Where did de Blasio excel?

I don't think he has had much success in the city. I cannot see anything in the last eight years that has really changed for the better.

What is de Blasio's mistake?

His approach to a pandemic, restrictions. Just indifference to what the townspeople are going through. It seemed to him that what was happening did not matter much.

What do you expect from Mayor Eric Adams?

Eric Adams really loves the city. He wants the best for the city. And I think he has a very practical approach to a lot of things. He thinks it over. Hopefully he will bring the city back to life, which is returning to its previous state. Perhaps he will continue this.

Katie McCarthy, Staten Island

Where did de Blasio excel?

I don't know if this is considered a success, but I was inspired by the goals he set for Vision Zero and supported so that people can ride bicycles and walk around the city without fear for their lives. Pedestrian and cyclist safety is a very important topic for me.

What is de Blasio's mistake?

I noticed that [Vision Zero] was not there. We are not close to the goal. We have not even improved safety, and people continue to die at the hands of pedestrians and motorists who do not follow the rules, drive without proper documents and are in a great hurry. In my opinion, the mayor should set a very serious agenda. If we want to change the culture, we need to talk about it in this vein.

We must all calm down, take a breath, make room for our fellows - in different ways. And one path is the roads and sidewalks that we share. If we want to be a more humane and livable city, we need to talk about it this way. It doesn't have to be a rat race. We can be a human race if we stick together. I hope so.

What do you expect from Mayor Eric Adams?

The issue of cycling and the safety of road users should be resolved. Hopefully, as a cyclist, he can really make some effective changes. I'm not sure if you need to force people to slow down, but I know for sure: if they don't drive that fast, there will be fewer casualties.

Anthony Naccari, Bronx

Where did de Blasio excel?

Universal preschool and elementary programs for everyone. Even in our school, many children have taken advantage of these programs. When children have such a foundation at an early age, it really leads to academic success. Therefore, I applaud his efforts and the creation of these early childhood programs for all New Yorkers.

What is de Blasio's mistake?

I wish there were fewer crimes and the city became cleaner, like before the pandemic. I wish the homeless were provided with more services. Every day I notice more and more homeless people on the subway, on the streets of Manhattan.

What do you expect from Mayor Eric Adams?

I hope that the problem of homelessness will be solved and crime will decrease. In my opinion, all New Yorkers are on the brink of crime, especially on the subway and on the streets. So really hope this affects more cops on our streets in Manhattan, especially in the area Times Square, in the Bronx.

And I am very, very worried about the violence among our youth. And I really think this also needs to be addressed. I know the Bronx district attorneys in various neighborhoods are doing their best. Perhaps they will need the support of the mayor's office, and I hope that Mr. Adams can do it.

Freddie Snyder, Bronx

Where did de Blasio excel?

What is de Blasio's mistake?

He is very progressive. I am also progressive, but he is a little more progressive than me.

Ricky Singleton, Harlem

Where did de Blasio excel?

I consider his greatest achievement to be trying to restore the city after the coronavirus, as well as the opportunity to get vaccinated in real time and vaccinate city residents. He opened Broadway again. He has a lot of work to do. Under him, many people who had left the city before are returning.

What is de Blasio's mistake?

I give him a GPA because of crime and homelessness. Subway crime. His level has increased. People are scared, literally scared. And not only this is a weapon. Teenagers with pistols in the streets shoot and attack the elderly.

What do you expect from Mayor Eric Adams?

Observing the surroundings and caring for the elderly, because they helped build this city.

Henry Montero, Upper West Side

What is the mayor's greatest achievement?

I would say his greatest achievement is that he helped us overcome the COVID-19 crisis. It was a very difficult time and there were many expectations. In my opinion, this is too much for one person.

What is his mistake?

The crime in the city has really increased. It is impossible not to notice what is happening: a lot of shootings, people are being killed, a lot of robbers. And I understand that, perhaps, other alternatives could have arisen, but, unfortunately, he has to confront what is happening in the city, and this is always his responsibility.

What do you expect from Mayor Eric Adams?

Empower people to believe in themselves, to believe that they can go out and work, prosper and grow. We are the Big Apple, the city that never sleeps. People come here for opportunities. And if we could give hope and keep it, I think that would be great.

A mayor's job is not one person's job. This is a laborious job. And if he really listens to good advice and has a head on his shoulders, then we will have a good opportunity - in the next four years we will see great things in the city.

Janina Samuels, Harlem

What is the mayor's biggest achievement or failure?

When I see an increase in homelessness and a deterioration in mental health, I realize that it would be a failure. But many steps to reform the police and a great awareness of this, in my opinion, is good.

And many of the social programs that I think he tried to implement turned out to be good. It's just execution.

What do you expect from Mayor Eric Adams?

I would definitely say public relations, especially when it comes to the police and residents. When I was growing up, there was the Police Sports League. And I understand that there was a lot more community uniting interaction, although there were still problems between the police and the residents.

People really need to feel safe, comfortable, and not see each other as a threat. So I really understand that. In the state in which she is now, the police are angry. And then the community feels that they are not being protected and they become targets. Nothing good will come of it.

Marisa Allan, Upper West Side

What is the mayor's greatest achievement?

You say he had them? He left the city in a worse situation, so he achieved nothing. I am very disappointed with what happened under his leadership, with what he did. The rise in crime is number one and garbage on the streets because it has slashed sanitation budgets.

Heidi Flores, Harlem

What is the mayor's greatest achievement?

The best thing he did was inform us about the [corona virus]. He always did this every morning. He was looking at the camera, talking on TV. He told us what was going on, and that was the most important thing we needed to know.

What is de Blasio's mistake?

What worried me was the transport, the absence of the police, and a lot of robberies. This bothered me a lot.