You are reading

Podcast: Council Member Bob Holden Talks About Rising Crime, Homelessness and the Budget Hole

Sept. 3, 2020 By Christian Murray

Council Member Robert Holden, who represents the 30th Council District, considers himself to be a “common sense” elected official—something he says is in short supply among legislators in New York City.

Holden, whose district includes Glendale, Middle Village and Maspeth, says that the progressive and socialist policies of Mayor De Blasio and many in the city council are responsible for putting “the greatest city in the world” at risk of decline.

He talks to the Queens Post and discusses the spike in shootings and murders.

Holden says the “war on police;” progressive bail reform policies; and the “emptying” of the Rikers Island prison facility has put the public at risk.

“We are paying the price for the anti-police protests and the anti-police rhetoric,” Holden says, which has led to the defund and abolish-the-police movement. “My [city council] colleagues are certainly leading the way with the anti-police rhetoric.”

Holden, in the podcast, is critical of some of his council colleagues who argue that the jump in shootings and crime is due to a police slowdown.

“That’s a joke,” Holden, a Democrat, said. “It’s what they have done to the city. We had a great NYPD for decades.”

Holden argues that many dangerous criminals are not doing prison time due to new bail reform laws that were passed by the state last year. Many are now on the streets, he adds.

Holden is especially critical of Mayor Bill de Blasio and his desire to reduce the prison population at Rikers Island, which the council member says has led to more criminals being at large. He also says that the Mayor’s policy to ultimately shut the facility down in favor of borough-based jails is misguided.

“The mayor has done everything wrong with public safety,” Holden says, adding that his desire to reduce the prison population at Rikers as well as the blanket changes being made to the NYPD are the source of the public safety issues.

Holden says that he could never understand the mayor’s fervor to close Rikers Island and the entire “close Rikers movement.”

“It’s not the buildings’ fault things were happening,” he said. “It was management…and that was what needed fixing.”

“There is this religious movement to close Rikers,” Holden said. “Then you had some people come forward in the city council saying you should not build any jails at all….very, crazy radical ideas.”

He said the concept to close Rikers Island and spend billions to construct “skyscraper jails” makes even little sense now given the economic crisis the city now faces. He says rebuild Rikers.

Holden, during the podcast, says the mayor’s policy toward homelessness is also problematic—putting the public at risk.

He says the mayor is in favor of building large dormitory shelters that house a large number of people.

Holden says that the 200-bed, all-male facility that opened in Glendale this year has become a source of problems. He says in the podcast that the men have attacked and robbed random people nearby and even fight among themselves.

He says that building smaller, more manageable “faith based” shelters is a better solution. He said the large facilities—with many people–are just too difficult to manage and are a source of problems. Many people, he said, in these facilities have mental health issues and need to be monitored.

Holden in the podcast talks about the city budget—and the $9 billion hole– and says that many of the mayor’s costly programs need to be cut back.

He says that raising taxes on residents in the five boroughs is not the solution and it would hurt the middle class the most. He says the wealthy have shelters and will find ways to avoid them or move elsewhere.

The council member in the podcast discusses whether he would run for mayor. The New York Post editorial board suggested last month that he would be a good choice.

Holden didn’t dismiss running and said that the next mayor needs to have common sense.

“I’m listening to a lot of people…I would have to convince my wife and that would be a huge task,” he said. “It is flattering.”

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

No charges for 101st Precinct officers in 2024 Edgemere fatal shooting: AG

New York attorney general Letitia James will not be charging four police officers from the 101st Precinct in Far Rockaway in the fatal shooting of 26-year-old Geoffrey Parris at the Ocean Bay apartments on Feb. 12, 2024.

Following a thorough probe, her Office of Special Investigations (OSI), which included a review of footage from body-worn cameras, audio from a 911 call, interviews with involved officers, and a comprehensive legal analysis, concluded that a prosecutor would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that the officer’s actions were justified under New York law.

May races in Queens: JFK Airport 5K, Forest Park trail classic and a Queensborough 5K

May. 16, 2025 By Paulina Albarracin

The energy of May is on full display across Queens, with a lineup of local races that invite runners of all levels to hit the pavement and the trails. With mild temperatures and sunny skies setting the stage, it’s the perfect time to take advantage of the spring weather before the summer heat sets in. From the Forest Park 4 Mile Road and Trail Classic to the festive Great Hawaiian Luau 5K at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, these events offer more than just a workout—they foster community spirit and personal growth. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen before lacing up and heading out. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or new to the sport, these May races offer a chance to challenge yourself and connect with others in motion.

Two women shot at Ocean Bay Apartments in Far Rockaway, gunman still at large: NYPD

Police from the 101st Precinct in Far Rockaway are looking for a gunman who shot two women at the Ocean Bay Apartments in Arverne on the night of Saturday, May 10.

The suspect is seen on video surveillance at around 9:35 p.m. approaching the southeast corner of the NYCHA complex at Beach 54th Street and Arverne Boulevard, where he pulled out a handgun and opened fire at a group of people, striking two women before running off. When officers responded to a 911 call of an assault in progress at the complex, which is also called the Oceanside Apartments, they found the two victims: a 34-year-old woman who was shot in both legs and a 32-year-old woman with a gunshot wound to her leg. EMS responded to the location and transported the victims to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where they were both listed in stable condition.

72-year-old employee pistol-whipped during armed robbery at St. Albans deli: NYPD

A 72-year-old man was pistol-whipped during an armed robbery at the Soul Deli in St. Albans on the night of Thursday, May 1, and the perpetrator remains at large weeks later.

Police from the 103rd Precinct in Jamaica responded to the scene at 203-01 Hollis Avenue and found the wounded senior bloodied and battered inside the Black-owned deli, known across Southeast Queens for its hospitality and soul food.

Mayor Adams marks one year of ‘Padlock to Protect’ with pizza and progress in Queens

Mayor Eric Adams marked the one-year anniversary of the launch of the city’s “Operation Padlock to Protect” initiative at a pizzeria on the Rego Park and Middle Village border on Wednesday and touted the significant progress in shutting down more than 1,400 illegal smoke shops across the five boroughs and seizing more than $95 million in illegal product since last May.

“The city was fed up. We heard it at every town hall. This time last year, there were thousands of illegal smoke shops plaguing our city with unlicensed cannabis endangering our children,” Adams said. “One year later, we are proud to announce that we have turned the tide. Thanks to the tireless efforts by our city’s law enforcement officers, we’ve padlocked thousands of illegal shops and created safer streets for children and families. But we’re not stopping there.”