Transcript: Mayor Adams Appears Live on WABC’s “Eyewitness News At 5:00”

August 7, 2024

Sade Baderinwa: Today was the last day on the job for a woman who made history here in New York City.

Mike Marza: In 2022, Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh became the first woman to lead the department in its 157-year history. And tonight, no word exactly on who will take over after today.

Baderinwa: And now for the person who may have the answer, we are joined now by New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Mayor, thank you for joining us. Laura Kavanagh's appointment certainly shattered the glass ceiling that we just talked about. Who would you like to see lead the FDNY next? Are you considering any names at this point? How about another woman?

Mayor Eric Adams: We're down to three individuals who are extremely competent to continue the work that Laura has really started. I really appreciated her taking this difficult challenge and as you stated, shattering the glass ceiling like so many of the other women in our administrations have done. When you look at Rebecca Weiner over at Intelligence, you know, the first woman to hold that position and even the first police commissioner. So this has been a history-making administration and I'm just excited about her next steps. She stated, Eric, I want to do something else. You know, it's time. I came in, I accomplished what I wanted to do and I would like to try to do other things with my life, like start a family.

Baderinwa: So you can't give us those three people that you're considering any names? Or when? 

Mayor Adams: We'll be announcing very soon. I wanted to allow her to finish out her time here in FDNY.

Marza: Fair enough. Mr. Mayor, I want to get your thoughts now on your party's newly formed presidential ticket. You said yesterday you were excited about the Kamala Harris and Tim Walz ticket. We know one of the biggest issues facing New York continues to be the migrant crisis. We've talked about it right here on the air. Have you spoken with anybody in the Harris campaign about her plans on how she would address this, about the migrant situation? And what are you asking a potential Harris administration to do to help New York with this issue?

Mayor Adams: Yes, I have. And again, I am excited about the ticket. I think the VP brings this authentic style that people are really looking for now. They want individuals who can really feel the pains that many, not only New Yorkers, but Americans are experiencing. It's extremely challenging. 

And you're right. The border issue is a major issue, not only for cities like New York, but even Chicago, Washington, Los Angeles, Denver, to name a few. It's important for not only the White House, but Congress to come together. We must have real immigration reform so we can allow people to take the next steps on their journey.

Baderinwa: Mayor Adams, our chief meteorologist, Lee Goldberg, actually has a weather related question for you.

Lee Goldberg: Great to talk to you, Mayor Adams. I wanted to pivot to how the city is preparing for severe weather, and it was kind of a very ‘Minority Report’ moment getting ready for yesterday's storms. I know I always want to scream at the top of my lungs when severe weather is approaching and people are walking around, but you're actually using drones for something like that and use that for an experiment. How'd it go?

Mayor Adams: Well, first of all, I'm a fan. You know, no one does the weather like you, and so it's exciting to talk with you. But what we found is that we have NotifyNYC, we use social media, we use all of these methods, but we have to be honest with ourselves. Not everyone is on social media. Not everyone signs up for NotifyNYC. 

We noticed that when we put the drones up and make a notification, it pierces through all the noise and all of the interaction that people normally receive. They hear that drone up flying above their home or their business. It actually causes you to pause and take notice, and it has been amazing how people respond to it, and we're going to continue to find ways to make these notifications utilizing the drones. Inexpensive, pennies on the dollar to operate, but it can really get the communication out.

Goldberg: Well, I really appreciate the kind words, first of all, and feel free to use me for some weather announcements, because I'd love to get the word out when we get the severe weather going. Thank you.

Marza: Thank you. Love that partnership. Mr. Mayor, I want to talk about a topic that, of course, you talk a lot about, rats cleaning up the city. We know you and Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch have been working hard to get the word out about the city's new rules for these trash containers and pickups.

Baderinwa: Yeah, and you've gotten pretty creative about it, I must say. Today, you released a cheeky new infomercial, so let's take a look.

[Video plays.]

Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Department of Sanitation: This durable, beautiful, high-quality bin is available for the low, low price of under $50, and they are on sale now. Let's hear from our satisfied customers.

Mayor Adams: Love these bins. Beautiful, durable, and New York affordable. 

[Video ends.]

Baderinwa: Funny commercial. So, mayor, how did this even come about, this whole video?

Mayor Adams: I don't know if you know it, but I hate rats. 

Baderinwa: Well, yeah, we know that. 

Mayor Adams:  And just about every New Yorker who I have come in contact with would tell you how traumatic that experience is. And we found that with Commissioner Tisch and our amazing rat czar, Katherine Corradi, we found that it's the plastic bags. They're the all-you-can-eat buffets that rats enjoy, and we know we have to get them off our streets. And that's why we found a way to get low-cost, almost three times the price, less than what a price cost, retail for a bin. They're durable, and it is the way of the future. And you know what's interesting? We're behind the rest of the globe. European countries, they laugh at us when we say plastic bags. It's time to get these bags off our streets and really alleviate, if not eradicate, our rodent problem.

Marza: Mr. Mayor, we actually had Commissioner Tisch here in studio for Mornings at 10, and she debuted and demonstrated how these bins work. But for the people who did not get a chance to see that conversation, these new bins have a latch, sort of a rat lock, if you will. What are the deadlines people need to know, and what are the new particulars that we need to pass along to the people watching?

Mayor Adams: Well, in November, 70 percent of our garbage is going to be containerized, and now we're up to the one-to-nine unit housing that must containerize their garbage. And you can purchase the bin, it's roughly around $50, and they're durable. The bins I've had, I've had for several years, it's really a good way to ensure the garbage is protected and it's rat-proof, where rats cannot get inside and continue to feed off our garbage.

Baderinwa: Well, hopefully we're going to see a lot less rats after all of these trash bins are around.

Marza: Yeah, the rats did not like the commercial, they were not a fan.

Baderinwa: Well, mayor, thank you so much for coming on the show today. We really appreciate it.

Marza: Thank you, mayor.

Mayor Adams: Thank you. Take care. Have a good day.

###