Former NYPD Sergeant Expresses Concern Over “Palpable Fear” in NYC Due to “Disorder” and “Decay”

Retired NYPD Sgt. Pete Panuccio says there is a “palpable fear” for New Yorkers on the streets amid the “disorder” and “decay,” despite declining crime rates since 2020 in Democrat-run cities.

Crime rates are still higher than the pre-COVID pandemic levels of 2019, according to the report.

Mayor Eric Adams recently touted crime-rate reductions earlier this month, but Panuccio said it is because people are avoiding going outside to be shot or killed, according to the report.

While homicides were down in ’23 from ’22, they were still 21% higher than 2019, according to the NYPD. Also up are robberies by 26%, felony assaults by 35%, and motor vehicle thefts nearly triple.

NYC’s “numbers are garbage,” according to Panuccio. “People are scared. You can’t attach a number to that.”

The crime-ridden 1980 in New York City were curbed by former Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s administration, so new leadership can turn things around, Panuccio noted.

“The No. 1 issue, and what saved New York City in the ’90s, was public safety,” he concluded to Fox News. “Everything emanates from public safety in New York City. If we don’t have public safety, we don’t have a city.

“New York City’s a captive city, captured by the progressives. A lot of people gave their lives to make this city a safer place. It’s all been washed away.”