Leah McSweeney, a prominent figure on “Real Housewives of New York City,” announced her intention to depart New York City due to mounting concerns over public safety despite a surge in drug-related crime.
In a video shared on her Instagram account accompanied by the caption “Service announcement,” Ms. McSweeney delivered a stark message while walking through the streets of the Big Apple.
“People are smoking crack for breakfast in Times Square,” she remarked before recounting a distressing incident involving her daughter on the subway, which further solidified her decision to leave the city.
Leah McSweeney (Credits: OK Magazine)
During an appearance on Fox and Friends, Ms. McSweeney elaborated on her decision, emphasizing the deterioration of safety in New York, especially for women.
“This breaks my heart because New York City is the best city in the world,” she lamented. “But it is not safe right now, and it is especially not safe for women.”
Ms. McSweeney recounted her daughter’s encounter on the subway, where she was threatened by a man, underscoring the pervasive fear among residents. Echoing her sentiments, host Ainsley Earhardt admitted her own reluctance to use the subway due to safety concerns.
“The worst thing is we’re being gaslit by the politicians who tell us that it’s actually ‘safer than ever,’ and it’s not,” Ms. McSweeney asserted, challenging the narrative of improved safety propagated by officials.
Mayor Eric Adams (Credits: NBC News)
Despite Mayor Eric Adams’s claims that New York is the safest big city in America, reports of public altercations and crime persist, exacerbated by challenges such as an influx of illegal immigrants and homelessness.
Ms. McSweeney expressed dismay at witnessing drug use in broad daylight and voiced her frustration with the city’s leadership, calling for concrete action to address safety issues.
Her decision to leave New York follows a recent assault on fellow “Real Housewives” star Bethenny Frankel, highlighting a concerning trend of violence against women in the city.
Ms. Frankel’s assault, coupled with a series of similar incidents, has underscored the urgency of addressing public safety concerns in New York. Despite efforts to address rising crime, including proposals to crack down on shoplifting, concerns persist regarding the efficacy of such measures in deterring criminal activity.
As Ms. McSweeney prepares to depart New York for Miami, she reflects on her once unyielding allegiance to the city, now overshadowed by concerns for quality of life and safety.
