New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams joined a City Council hearing on Feb. 10 to scrutinize how the city handled a historic stretch of extreme cold during which 18 New Yorkers died outside, his office said.
The joint hearing of the Council’s Committees on General Welfare and Public Safety was aimed at examining the city’s response to the winter weather and its preparedness for future incidents, according to the Public Advocate’s office. The office said the 18 New Yorkers lost their lives outdoors during the cold spell.
Williams acknowledged the administration’s work in the first few days to make sure “the city could still move,” but said the response left open questions as conditions persist. “I think there are some questions that need to be answered as we move a little further,” he said. “It does make us continue to ask questions, are we prepared for the next major snowstorm or cold spell that is going to seemingly just keep coming now? And even more generally, are we ready for climate and weather related emergencies going forward?”
The Public Advocate also addressed what his office described as recent bad-faith criticism, naming the New York Post. “I presume and assume the loudest voices like the New York Post that were using these bad faith political attacks will join us in not just in weaponizing these deaths will also now join in speaking out for expansions in supportive and deeply affordable housing and increased services for New Yorkers, instead of putting more effort into exploiting New Yorkers in death than they do in supporting them in life,” he said.
The Public Advocate’s office said video of Williams’ full remarks as delivered is available online.
