Adams under water with New Yorkers worried about crime, new poll shows

NEW YORK — New Yorkers voiced dissatisfaction with Mayor Eric Adams and his handling of crime, two days after his administration released an unflattering performance report showing a rise in violence and homelessness on his watch.

Voters disapprove of Adams by a 43-37 margin, with 20 percent declining to offer an opinion, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday . He received his deepest support from Black respondents, with 52 percent giving him a thumbs up, compared to 34 percent of whites, 33 percent of Hispanics and 25 percent of Asians polled between Thursday and Monday.

He also grew more popular with each advancing age group, with 46 percent of those 65 and older endorsing his job performance, compared to 27 percent of those between 18 and 34 years old.

The institute surveyed 1,310 registered voters, with a margin of error of 2.7 points.

The poll showed crime is top of mind for 66 percent of New Yorkers, down from a record high of 74 percent last February but still uncommonly high since Quinnipiac began posing that question in 1999. The biggest concerns over crime were registered in the Bronx, among Republicans and among Hispanics.

On that front, 39 percent of New Yorkers reported feeling “less safe” than they did one year ago, 8 percent said they feel safer and the rest described no change in their perception of public safety — a signature issue for Adams, a retired NYPD captain.

Compared to more than 4 in 10 New Yorkers who labeled crime “the most urgent issue” in the city, 17 percent consider affordable housing its biggest problem.

And voters, who selected Adams in a crowded Democratic primary in 2021, are not pleased with his handling of crime: Only 36 percent approve, compared to 57 percent who disapprove — a similar breakdown to Quinnipiac’s May 2022 poll.

“A law-and-order mayor confronts a cold winter of discontent as crime far eclipses all other voters’ concerns,” Quinnipiac polling analyst Tim Malloy said in a statement.

“Listen, I haven’t seen the poll and you and I know polls go up and down, up and down,” Adams said Wednesday during an unrelated press conference. “We’re just going to continue to do what we do and that’s produce for New Yorkers. I am really pleased with the administration and where they are, and we’re going to continue to stay focused, no distractions and grind.”

The survey found voters troubled by an influx of more than 40,000 South and Central Americans seeking asylum.

Seventy percent labeled the situation a crisis, and 63 percent do not believe the Adams administration has the ability to accommodate those seeking sanctuary in the five boroughs. Over 80 percent want more help from the federal government. More New Yorkers than not, however, support keeping the migrants in the state.

Danielle Muoio Dunn contributed to this report.