Effects on Society
Looting in Bedford-Stuyvesant in 1977 blackout
The fiscal crisis had many social ramifications that affected people in all walks of life. For the most part these effects were highly detrimental, for they caused many deaths that we now see could have been easily prevented. A decrease in spending and the initiation of many cuts in the health sector began to reap a very serious toll of illness and death. An increase in the amount of murder, illness caused by tuberculosis, and the appearance and subsequent spread of AIDS can be grouped together and classified as a syndemic. A syndemic is two or more epidemics, with biological causes and social conditions interacting constructively and synergistically. Cuts in services combined with a decrease in the standard of living for populations that were vulnerable to these epidemics contributed to the health crisis. Overall, the draconian cuts made to bring NYC out of the fiscal crisis brought it into an environment that promoted crime and sickness. These conditions persisted from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s. The only thing that could bring it out of this environment is an increase in many of the programs that were cut during the crisis.
Police force had numbered 31,000 in 1972 but by the year 1980 it had dwindled to just 22,000. This decrease in the police force caused crime and the murder rate to skyrocket. From 1979-1993 26,890 people were murdered. If these years had the 1974-1978 incident rate then 3,265 less people would have died. Between 1970 and 1980, the number of poor people in New York City increased by 20% even as the city’s population declined by 10%. Since police officers were not well paid, corrupt police officers were not uncommon. The streets were unsafe to walk on.
The Fire Department was not spared by the cuts imposed by the city and state. Firefighters were repeatedly laid off. Often firefighters had to agree to work weeks without pay in order to keep their jobs. Firefighters were often given pink slips during terribly grim times, and then often rehired when the city’s fiscal position seemed sounder.
The Sanitation Department was gravely affected by the fiscal crisis. Many sanitation workers were laid off. Often the Sanitation Department stopped collecting garbage in many parts of the city. The streets were often littered with garbage.
Landlords were no longer able to make a profit off of rent-controlled apartments because of inflation. As a solution to this they set their buildings on fire for insurance. During game Two of the 1977 World Series, when a fire broke out near Yankee Stadium, Howard Cosell famously remarked, “There it is, ladies and gentlemen: the Bronx is burning.”
As new problems emerged such as the aids and crack epidemic, the city and state was increasingly unable to turn towards the national government for help.
The CUNY system was adversely affected by the fiscal crisis. In 1975, CUNY was forced to charge tuition for their schooling, which was previously free. This led to much opposition by the masses, and a decrease in the number of students. People could not afford to pay for their education, and therefore did not attend college. There was also a decrease in the number of classes, and many layoffs of professors and other CUNY related workers. Due to declining enrollment and lower quality of education at CUNY, the reputation of CUNY colleges took a major hit.
On July 13th 1977, New York’s power system was crippled by lighting, plunging the city into darkness. Widespread looting and arson soon followed in what was called the Sneaker Riots. During this time many stores were looted for material possessions, such as televisions and sneakers, that people normally weren’t able to afford but thought would make their lives better.
Rioting during the 1977 blackout
Wall Street Journal lamented, ”Basic city services, once the model for urban areas across the nation, have been slashed to the point of breakdown. Evidence of the cutbacks is everywhere: The streets are blanketed with garbage. Robberies, to name one crime, are at an all-time high. The subway system is near collapse, plagued by aging equipment, vandalism, and frequent breakdowns and derailment.”
New Yorkers were terrified by the collapse of their city. Many residents lost their pride as New Yorkers. Many residents chose to move out of New York City. This exacerbated New York City’s fiscal position, leaving New York City with a dwindling tax base.