Eric Adams is addressing the recent car chase involving Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and her mom Doria Ragland.
Shortly after the trio attended a gala on May 16, they were involved in a "near catastrophic car chase" with "highly aggressive" paparazzi, according to a rep for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Now, the mayor of New York City has issued a message about the scary mishap.
"Public safety must always be at the forefront," Adams told reporters May 16. "The briefing I received, two of our officers could have been injured. New York City is different from small towns. You shouldn't be speeding anywhere but this is a densely populated city."
Referring to the 1997 car accident involving Harry's mom, Princess Diana, the politician continued, "I don't think there's many of us who don't recall how his mom died and it would be horrific to lose an innocent bystander during a chase like this and something to have happened to them as well. So, I think we have to be extremely responsible. I thought that was a bit reckless and irresponsible."
Adams went on to stress the factors of the location that may have complicated the situation.
"We have a lot of traffic, a lot of movement, a lot of people are using our streets," he said. "Any time of high-speed chase that involves something of that nature is inappropriate. Police do it under limited circumstances when they're going after violent people but to do it because you want to get the right shot can turn out to be a place where people can be harmed in a real way."
In a statement confirming the incident took place, Harry and Meghan's rep said the "relentless pursuit" of the pair and Ragland lasted "over two hours" adding that the incident "resulted in multiple near collisions involving other drivers on the road, pedestrians and two NYPD officers."
Authorities also addressed the circumstances, with the city's Deputy Commissioner of Public Information telling E! News in a statement, "On Wednesday evening, May 16, the NYPD assisted the private security team protecting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex."
"There were numerous photographers that made their transport challenging," the statement continued. "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at their destination and there were no reported collisions, summonses, injuries, or arrests in regard."