NY City Council to Pass Bill Monitoring Police Stops

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Jumaane D. Williams. Photo Credit: Brian Melford Twitter

The New York City Council will vote today to pass a new police reporting bill that requires details on all stops, including by race and gender.
The bill is sponsored by Council Member and Deputy Leader Jumaane D. Williams, Public Safety Chair Vanessa Gibson, Council Members Rory Lancman, Mark Levine, Ritchie Torres, Corey Johnson, Ruben Wills, Vanessa L. Gibson, Margaret Chin, Rosie Mendez, Deborah Rose, Ydanis Rodriguez, Helen Rosenthal and Carlos Menchaca.

Int. No. 639 requires the New York Police Department provide quarterly reports to the Mayor’s Office and City Council on criminal and civil summonses issued.
The data will be categorized into number of summons by offense, race, gender, age, borough and patrol precinct or housing police/ transit district the summons was issued in.

The bill also calls for all data to be published online and in a format that allows for automated processing. Each report is required to include comparative data for summons information for the past five years.

“We know police disproportionately issue summons in Black, Brown and poorer communities. This bill will allow us to document and have on record these unfair practices, which will allow us to advocate and implement a change,” said Council Member Williams. “Simple truth of the matter is people do what’s right and fair when there are steps in place for oversight.”

“This bill doesn’t change enforcement or encourage crime. It’s about a balanced approach and equity,” said Council Member Williams. “It’s my hope that this bill changes how communities are engaged by the NYPD.”

“The Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2016 gives our police force tools to address low-level offenses for what they are: infractions to be taken seriously, but not ones that should yield life altering consequences,” said Council Public Safety Chair Vanessa Gibson.
“This balanced approach recognizes low-level offenses should have proportionate penalties and will reduce the burden on our criminal court system. The CJRA represents the Council’s push for fairness, dignity, and equity in the criminal justice system and I am proud to sponsor one of the bills in this package. I thank Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito for her leadership and dedication to summons reform and thank my colleagues and bill sponsors for their ongoing support of a more fair and just New York.”

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