The inauguration celebration for New York City's Mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, is set to place a significant demand on the city's police resources and finances. Scheduled for New Year's Day, the event titled the "Inauguration for a New Era Block Party" will require a security detail of between 350 and 400 police officers, according to sources within the department.
Massive Security Detail and Staggering Overtime Costs
A police source with over 25 years of experience highlighted the substantial financial burden. They estimated the security operation could cost upwards of ₹4.15 crore (approximately). This calculation is based on overtime rates of about ₹8,300 per hour for officers, with detectives, lieutenants, and chiefs commanding even higher pay.
"It's going to cost a lot of money in overtime," the source stated. The irony of the situation was not lost on law enforcement, given Mamdani's past stance. A second source pointed out, "It's ironic that he wants to spend all this money using city services while saying he wants to cut the budget of the NYPD."
Criticism Over Police Deployment and Past Defund Stance
The large-scale police deployment is particularly contentious due to Mamdani's history as a vociferous critic of the NYPD. During the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, he called for defunding the police, described officers as "racist" and "anti-queer," and labeled the department "wicked and corrupt."
This has led to frustration among police sources. "He's having this celebration with all these people who hate the police and we have to be there to protect them," one remarked. The criticism extends to his transition team, which includes Elena Leopold, a strategist who signed a 2020 letter demanding "radical change" to NYPD policies.
Operational Strain and Logistical Challenges
Beyond the cost, police sources warned of the operational impact. Officers and detectives will be diverted from their regular patrol and investigative duties to staff the seven-block event on the Canyon of Heroes from Liberty to Murray Street.
Compounding the challenge, New Year's Day is already a high-demand period for the NYPD. "That many cops on New Year's Day is a huge hit because you already have a detail of thousands working the ball drop," a longtime officer explained, referencing the famous Times Square celebration.
Furthermore, Mamdani's pledge to halt new police recruitment comes as the force, now at 33,000-34,000, remains well below its peak strength of over 40,000. "I don't think he's aware of where the police department is in terms of staffing levels," a source commented.
Questions were also raised about why alternative safety personnel were not considered. "Why didn't you staff it with social workers and violence interruptors?" a source joked, referencing proposals Mamdani has supported. A retired sergeant also speculated whether the controversial Strategic Response Group unit would be tasked with securing an event for a mayor-elect who has targeted it for dismissal.
In addition to police, the city's Sanitation Department expects to deploy around 50 workers for cleanup. A spokesman insisted this was a "budgeted service" and not an additional taxpayer expense.
