Increasing police in uniform rankles supporters of Mamdani

(The Center Square) – Democratic socialists are accusing New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of reneging on a key campaign pledge with his administration gearing up to boost the the New York Police Department’s headcount.

Mamdani’s preliminary fiscal year 2027 budget proposes to increase the Police Department’s rank and file by at least 580 officers – calling for another $70 million in the spending plan. The mayor cited efforts to improve safety on the public transit system and as it plans to host a summer of big events, including several World Cup matches.

The New York City Democratic Socialists of America, instrumental in helping Mamdani get elected, blasted the move to grow the city’s police headcount in a rare public rebuke of the mayor’s lefty policies. The group said Mamdani had pledged to downsize to focus on expanding community policing initiatives.

“Increasing the police presence in our city will not ensure safer communities” a statement from the organization said. “When police serve as ...