NYC mayor asks shoppers to lower masks in effort to combat high crime [Video]

WASHINGTON (TND) — In an effort to fight stubborn crime in New York City, Mayor Eric Adams has asked shoppers to lower their masks when entering stores.

“We’ve gotten so used to the mask that we don’t realize that a large volume of people are wearing it, not because of COVID, because they’re criminals,” Adams said during a press conference last week.

While overall crime rates continue to decline in New York City, robbery rates remain stubbornly 41.7% higher than they were two years ago.

Retailers are also experiencing a 26.5% annual increase in thefts committed by organized crime groups in 2021 according to the National Retail Federation.

Walmart announced they will close eight stores in five states this year citing poor performance. While Walmart executives haven’t directly blamed theft for the new store closures, back in December, CEO Doug McMillon warned closures would happen if crime rates didn’t improve.

Conservatives claim that Democratic-led state and local …