News/Commentary

Adams: NYC Council set to close out year with NYPD, DOC reforms ‘damaging ability to keep city safe’

December 20, 2023 | | Print Article

New York City Mayor Eric Adams criticized a damaging bill poised to be passed by the City Council as it races to close out the year with a collection of last-minute legislation.

“We are about to pass a bill that is going to damage our ability to keep the city safe because of the police resources,” the Democrat said at a press conference Tuesday.

Adams has been vocal about his opposition to the “How Many Stops Act,” a bill sponsored by New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. That measure along with another opposed by the mayor, a bill eliminating solitary confinement for violent offenders, are set to be part of the slew of legislation the City Council is looking to push through on Wednesday.

“The year-end legislation is expected to lead to a showdown between councilmembers and Mayor Eric Adams, who has vehemently decried the two bills but stopped short of vowing to veto the solitary confinement ban and flip-flopped on NYPD reforms,” the New York Post reported.

Common Sense Caucus co-chair Council Member Robert Holden (D-Queens) told the paper that the NYPD reporting bill is “out of touch with what our cops and correction officers face to keep us safe.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Nevertheless, “council sources” told The Post the two bills – among others – are expected to be approved by the council.

The council is expected to vote on other legislation as well, including, according to the New York Post:

  • Details on big-time donations to the NYPD, over $1 million, and how those funds are allocated. The bill could lift the veil on donations from The New York City Police Foundation, a non-profit backed by corporate leaders that donates millions of dollars each year to the department with no info on who has contributed.
  • Requiring NYPD to share data with the city’s Department of Investigation within 10 days of request
  • Recommendations to the Department of Sanitation on dealing with severe weather, outreach to unlicensed mobile car wash operators and allowing reusable beverage containers in sports venues
  • The collection of demographic data on veterans, outreach and engagement on mental health resources for the community and annual reporting
  • Creating a private right of action to enforce the provisions of the earned safe and sick time act for employees
  • Creating a mental health coordinator to inform city employees about mental health support and services

 

The “Fair Chance for Housing Act” will also likely be passed Wednesday, a measure that would effectively ban landlords from running background checks on potential tenants.

ADVERTISEMENT

Members of the council are reportedly divided over the bill but Adams has indicated he supports the proposed legislation, according to The Post.

Frieda Powers
Latest posts by Frieda Powers (see all)

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

Latest Articles