What a space cadet: Outgoing NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio ignores looming cop, firefighter and EMT shortage triggered by his vaccine mandate to dress up in a Star Trek costume - but doesn't even know if he's dressed as Spock or Captain Kirk
- De Blasio dressed up in a Star Trek costume on Thursday for his press briefing
- He told reporters he was dressed as Captain Kirk, even though he was in the blue shirt worn by Spock and McCoy
- De Blasio is in denial that his vaccine mandate may cause shortages among the NYPD and FDNY
- Of the 36,000 cops in the NYPD, nearly 30% - 10,000 - remain unvaccinated
- Only 60% of the FDNY is vaccinated and it has 10,000 firefighters and 5,000 EMTS
- If those who aren't vaccinated don't get the shots by Monday, they'll be placed on unpaid leave
- NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said there's a 'very real possibility' that it will lead to shortages of cops - who are already overstretched and in short supply
- The FDNY says it will have to close nearly a fifth of its fire companies - 'people will die'
With a looming mass outage of cops, firefighters and paramedics thanks to his vaccine mandate and a crime wave already terrorizing the city, you'd think New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio would be taking his final few months in office seriously.
But the outgoing politician seemed more focused on his Halloween costume than on the multiple issues plaguing the Big Apple on Thursday.
De Blasio, whose term ends at the end of this year, dressed up as Spock from Star Trek to give a Zoom press conference where he joked with reporters.
The 60-year-old however didn't seem to know which character he was dressed as, incorrectly telling the crowd excitedly that he'd come as Captain Kirk.
De Blasio started off the briefing in a suit. He spoke about vaccinating kids, a plan to make broadband more affordable for low income families in the city, and then jumped into the 'other important issue - Halloween!
'This is my homage to Captain Kirk!'
De Blasio, whose term ends at the end of this year, dressed up as Spock from Star Trek to give a Zoom press conference where he joked with reporters on Thursday
Twitter users quickly panned him for not only getting his character wrong, but also not taking seriously enough the looming issues the city faces.
The deadline for NYPD cops and emergency services workers to get vaccinated is on Monday. If they don't, they will be put on unpaid leave and many are still holding out.
Police and fire bosses both it will lead to catastrophic shortages that will result in 'people dying', but de Blasio is claiming the threat of COVID is worse - even though NYC's daily deaths have lowered to just eight, and even though there are only 600 cases of the virus in a city of more than 8million.
When asked how New Yorkers could feel safe while NYPD bosses warn of cop shortages, de Blasio said on Thursday: 'They will be safe. This has been something under discussion for months.
'My job is to keep people safe and until we defeat COVID people are not safe. If we don't stop COVID, New Yorkers will die.
'Commissioner Shea is confidant about the tools he has,' he said.
De Blasio claimed he was dressed in an 'homage to Captain Kirk', who famously wore yellow
De Blasio's comments and his costume on Thursday come as the deadline for NYC cops, firefighters and EMTs closes. If they don't get vaccinated by Monday, they will be put on unpaid leave
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said on Wednesday morning that 73 percent were vaccinated, but that leaves nearly 10,000 cops who aren't yet vaccinated, and who may no longer be on the job on Monday.
Shea said there was a 'very real possibility' of a shortage among officers - who are already overworked and thinly spread thanks to changes in their budget made last year by de Blasio at the height of the BLM movement.
The FDNY Union has warned it will have to close at least 20 percent of its fire companies around the city.
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said on Wednesday it was a 'very real possibility'
'The Department must manage the unfortunate fact that a portion of our workforce has refused to comply with a vaccine mandate for all city employees.
'We will use all means at our disposal, including mandatory overtime, mutual aid from other EMS providers and significant changes to the schedules of our members.
'We will ensure the continuity of operations and safety of all those we have sworn oaths to serve,' Commissioner Daniel Nigro said in a statement later Wednesday.
One firefighter told The New York Post that the shortages will prove fatal.
'People will die in this city,' they said.
As the shortages loom, crime in NYC is going up in almost every area. Cops say the mandate will only worsen the problem
New York Police Transit Bureau Assistant Chief Vincent Coogan speaks during a press conference outside the Union Square subway station in New York City after a shooting at 5pm on the platform
Andrew Ansbro, president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association, says that his members felt 'insulted' by Mayor Bill de Blasio's order, which was announced just last week, and warns that 30 to 40 percent of firehouses may have to close.
'I have told my members that if they choose to remain unvaccinated, they must still report for duty,' Ansbro told a news conference Wednesday.
'If they are told they cannot work, it will be the department and city of New York that sends them home.
'And it will be the department and the city of New York that has failed to protect the citizens of New York.'
Mayor de Blasio responded on Thursday: 'Their supervisors will address that as with any agency and it means, of course, they're not getting paid at that point.'
On Wednesday, a Staten Island judge rejected a request by the NYPD's largest union to temporarily block the vaccine mandate.
Similar legal battles are taking place in Seattle and Chicago, where mayors have instituted mandates for city workers.
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