By Michael V. Cusenza
The City Council on Tuesday voted to override Mayor Eric Adams’ vetoes of Introductions 586-A and 549-A.
And the final tally wasn’t even close: 42-9.
Intro. 549-A would ban the use of solitary confinement in city jails and provide individuals in custody of the Department of Correction (DOC) due process protections prior to being placed in restrictive housing or continued use of restraints. The bill also sets limits on how DOC can use emergency lock-ins and requires regular reporting on department’s use of de-escalation confinement, restrictive housing, and emergency lock-ins.
Intro. 586, dubbed the “How Many Stops Act,” would require City Police officers to document each and every encounter with members of the public, including Level 1 stops, which are basic interactions with no criminality suspected, such as assisting a sick passenger or canvassing for a missing child.
“By collecting and disclosing data on investigative stops, the How Many Stops Act will bring forth a fuller picture of these encounters, fostering accountability and trust between the police and the communities they serve,” Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said. “The council was also proud to override the mayor’s veto to ban solitary confinement in City jails and advance a new approach to reduce violence and prioritize safety for both staff and those detained. As government, we have a responsibility to do right by New Yorkers who have been persistently harmed and failed by these unjust policies. We are proud to override the mayor’s vetoes and hold our government accountable for delivering transparency and true safety to all New Yorkers.”
Courtesy of the Council Committee on Public Safety
““We cannot continue to destroy law and order in this city,” Councilwoman Ariola (second from l.) said on Tuesday in City Hall.
Mayor Adams and NYPD brass have been vehemently opposed to both pieces of legislation.
“These bills will make New Yorkers less safe on the streets, while police officers are forced to fill out additional paperwork rather than focus on helping New Yorkers and strengthening community bonds,” Adams said. “Additionally, it will make staff in our jails and those in our custody less safe by impairing our ability to hold those who commit violent acts accountable.”
The Council Common Sense Caucus lamented the passage of the proposed laws.
“Intro 586-A is an unnecessary reporting bill that will decrease response times and endanger public safety,” said Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park), who noted that she voted against the override. “We cannot continue to destroy law and order in this city.”
Councilman Bob Holden (D-Maspeth), co-chairman of the Common Sense Caucus, said, “Today’s decision will delay critical response and tie the hands of our already short-staffed police officers, which seems to be the intent. And our Correction officers will suffer due to these actions. A bad day for New York.”
In searing social media items posted on Wednesday, Brooklyn Republican Councilwoman Inna Vernikov said, “Yesterday, the council passed this year’s version of ‘defund the police.’ The body’s overwhelming vote to override the mayor’s veto has just further handcuffed our police. New Yorkers will be affected, and there will be a political price to pay in many districts…watch it all crumble.”
