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There’s a common refrain among New Yorkers—“It just isn’t the same anymore.” Whether they’re talking about their favorite old-school coffee shop, a beloved neighborhood restaurant, or the close-knit communities they grew up in, many residents feel a deep nostalgia for the city’s past. But the truth is, those “good old days” weren’t always so good. Back in the early 1990s, New York City had over 2,500 murders a year. Crime was rampant, and parts of the city were outright dangerous. Today, our streets are safer than they were back then, but the cost of living has soared, small businesses are disappearing, and New York is starting to feel less like a collection of vibrant neighborhoods and more like a five-borough shopping mall.
So how do we create a future for New York that balances the best of both worlds? A future where families can afford to stay in the communities they love, small businesses can thrive, and people don’t have to worry about being attacked on the subway or having their catalytic converter stolen in their own driveway? The answer lies in a combination of common-sense policies that prioritize public safety, affordability, and cultural preservation.
Restoring Public Safety
Nothing drives people out of New York faster than the fear that they or their loved ones aren’t safe. The South Shore of Staten Island, where I’m running for City Council, is home to thousands of police officers, firefighters, and other first responders who have firsthand experience dealing with rising crime. We need a return to proactive policing, where criminals are held accountable, and residents can feel secure in their neighborhoods. That means designating Zero-Tolerance Zones in areas like shopping centers and parks, where we increase police presence and crack down hard on repeat offenders. It means creating a Rapid Response Property Crime Unit to address auto theft and burglaries before they become an epidemic. And it means finally ending NYC’s status as a sanctuary city, so we stop harboring criminals who shouldn’t be here in the first place.
At the same time, we need to make smart investments in our public spaces. A well-lit park with security cameras and routine patrols isn’t just safer—it’s an asset for families, creating spaces where kids can play, seniors can relax, and communities can come together.
Making New York Affordable Again
There’s no question that the cost of living in New York City is driving people out in droves. We’ve seen lifelong New Yorkers—many of them retired cops, teachers, and municipal workers—flee to Florida, the Carolinas, or Pennsylvania because they simply can’t afford to stay. That needs to change.
We should start by freezing property taxes for senior homeowners and retired municipal workers, so they aren’t taxed out of their own homes. We also need real property tax reform that caps annual tax increases and prevents middle-class homeowners from getting hit with massive, unpredictable bills. And when it comes to utility costs, New Yorkers deserve a voice. That’s why I’m proposing the creation of an NYC Citizen Utility Board—modeled after successful programs in San Diego and Illinois—to advocate for consumers and fight unfair rate hikes.
Protecting Small Businesses and Local Culture
One of the most disappointing trends in recent years has been the disappearance of the mom-and-pop businesses that made our neighborhoods unique. Staten Island, like the rest of the city, has seen local diners, delis, and hardware stores replaced by chain stores and massive e-commerce warehouses.
If we want to preserve the character of our neighborhoods, we need to make it easier—not harder—to run a small business in New York City. That means cutting red tape for small business owners, waiving unnecessary fees for startups, and launching a borough-wide Buy Local Staten Island campaign to encourage residents to support neighborhood shops. We should also be limiting the spread of big-box retailers and chain stores in historic neighborhoods, ensuring that local businesses have a fair shot at success.
A Future That Works for Everyone
New York City’s best days don’t have to be behind us. We can have safe streets without returning to the chaos of the 1970s and ‘80s. We can preserve the character of our neighborhoods without making it impossible for working families to afford to stay here. And we can support the police, firefighters, and union workers who make this city run while ensuring that they can retire here with dignity.
The question isn’t whether New York will change—it always does. The question is whether we’ll steer that change in the right direction, making our city safer, more affordable, and more livable for generations to come. That’s the future I’m fighting for.
Frank Morano is a nationally syndicated radio talk show host and a longtime civic and community activist, who currently serves on Community Board 3 on Staten Island.
Tags:#NYCPolitics #PublicSafety #AffordableNYC #SmallBusiness #StatenIsland #CityCouncil #UnionStrong #CommunityFirst #CrimePrevention #BuyLocal
