The politics are straightforward, according to Adams, who was the only candidate consistently focused on crime. Polls showed it to be the most important issue to voters, and Adams is taking that message to the next step by saying that if his party “fails to recognize what we did here in New York City, they’re going to have a problem in the midterm elections and they’re going to have a problem in the presidential election.” All true — but first Adams has to back up his promise with results. Statistics will tell much of the story, but the real test will be whether New Yorkers actually feel safer because of his policies. To achieve that, he’ll need to shape a new consensus about acceptable police tactics and get prosecutors and legislators to end the revolving doors at courthouses where too many arrested suspects are immediately released. Those are enormous hurdles and Adams should begin the selling job early, while he still enjoys a political honeymoon. His plan to reinstitute an undercover anti-gun team is essential, but he must also protect it from inevitable criticism. If it is not well thought out and creates so many problems that he has to backtrack, that would be a green light to thugs.