Although it was rumored that one of the highest-profile Hispanics, on Mayor Eric Adams’ team, was leaving the municipal government due to the inconveniences and differences in the management of the Rikers Island jail, on the contrary, it was announced this Wednesday that will be promoted.
It was confirmed that Louis A. Molina, who was serving as commissioner of the New York City Department of Corrections (NYC DOC), is now the new deputy vice mayor for public safety. Which means that he will have the task of coordinating all City agencies in this matter.
In Adams’ words, over the past 22 months, Molina demonstrated “exceptional leadership and dedication, helping to reverse decades of mismanagement and neglect.”
At some point this November, the City will name the new head of the Big Apple prisons.
“After the tremendous success we have achieved in the Department of Corrections to reduce violence and improve safety, I am honored that Mayor Adams has selected me to take on even greater responsibility,” Molina reacted.
The new vice mayor, born in The Bronx, son of Puerto Ricans, was an officer of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), a United States Marine, served as Head of the Department of Public Safety of the City of Las Vegas, where he supervised that town’s jail and other public safety officials. In 2018 he was commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Corrections.
“Working together with the leadership of each agency, which plays a role in protecting others, we will continue to provide greater public safety that leads to prosperity for all New Yorkers,” he said.
Along with the NYPD commissioner, Edward Cabán, also of Puerto Rican origin, the Dominican Ydanis Rodríguez, commissioner of the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Mexican Manuel Castro of the Office of Immigration Affairs (MOIA), the new vice mayor climbs another step on the podium of the Hispanics with the most power in the Municipal Administration.
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This “move” by the head of the City’s jails comes a few days before a Manhattan Federal Court judge begins hearing arguments in favor of appointing a federal official to manage the city’s jail system. The hearing is set for November 17.
A few weeks ago, Molina was criticized by Steve Martin, the federal overseer of the City’s prison system, for allegedly trying to cover up the violence at ‘Rikers Island’ and for failing to take substantial steps to reform that department.
“Jails remain dangerous and unsafe, characterized by widespread and imminent risk of harm to both people in custody and staff,” Martin noted in his tenth report evaluating operations at Rikers Island and other city jails. .
A total of 28 people have died in New York City jails since Molina assumed the position of corrections commissioner in January 2022.