The Rev. Al Sharpton is calling on New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a former police captain, to do more in addressing the city’s spike in crime, calling the situation “out of control,” Politico reports. “In fairness to Eric, he’s only been mayor five weeks,” Sharpton said Wednesday. “But even as a fan of him: Eric, they’re locking up my toothpaste.” Sharpton referred to reports that pharmacies and convenience stores have begun to place low-cost items, even toothpaste, in locked cases to prevent theft. Major crime increased 38.5 percent in January, Adams’ first month in office, compared with last year. Crime has emerged as the chief issue of Adams’ administration. Adams made fighting crime a key aspect of his campaign.
Highly publicized shootings and burglaries have been in the spotlight, including the shooting of two police officers in Harlem last month. “Doesn’t matter to me if it’s a police officer shot, or if it’s a baby shot. I’m going to stay in these streets until this city is safe,” the mayor said in January. President Biden visited the city last week and met with Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul at police headquarters. The president reiterated his support for police officers and pledged to be a “partner” with Adams in the effort to curb crime. “Mayor Adams, you and I agree: The answer is not to abandon our streets,” Biden said. “The answer is not to defund the police. It’s to give you the tools, the training, the funding to be partners, to be protectors.”