several things stand out.
One of the first things he did was order the cops to get rid of the squeegee guys. This was a "quality of life" thing because everyone hated the squeegee guys. When you were stopped at the light coming out of a tunnel homeless guys would offer to wash your windshield for a dollar. We were sorta glad to see them go, but not sure of the way they went, Or where they went. This was the start of him not solving a problem, but the visible effects of a problem.
He turned City Hall into an armed fortress. Other Mayors kept it open for New Yorkers, held events on the steps, and the park was a great place to have lunch. Rudy would have none of that and actually built a wall around it. I still remember the day when Ed Koch gave Dolly Parton the keys to the city on those steps, and she surprised us all with a short set because Koch was a country fan. None of that nonsense with Rudy.
Anything happened, Rudy stole the camera. Did they catch a serial killer? The police commissioner and brass stood behind Rudy as he took credit. A big fire or explosion? Same thing-- Rudy took the stage while actual firemen were never seen.
I knew a few cops, and they hated Rudy. One told me that on one New Years Eve he tried to order EMS and other emergency services to keep victims on life support until after midnight so that year's murder numbers would be lower. That time he was told to fuck himself in no uncertain terms.
And secretive? Previously public information was now secret. Nothing was let out but reports his office vetted before publication. News outlets and public interest groups were furious.
He did chase the street hookers over to New Jersey, though, and closed down the cheap whorehouses. Just the cheap ones.
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