NYPD Should Lighten Up on Minor Crimes: City Council Speaker

Fewer arrests for such minor offenses as public urination and subway fare-beating would help police improve relations in some communities, New York's city council speaker said Saturday.

"We're examining the way we can expand the use of summonses and desk appearance tickets as opposed to cuffing somebody for a low-level offense and possibly spending some time in jail," said Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito at the Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network headquarters.

Enforcing such laws is an element of what's known as "broken windows" policing -- trying to reduce serious crime by cracking down on minor violations.

Sharpton and others have argued that arrests for minor offenses -- he calls them "bubble-gum crimes" -- discriminate against minority groups.

Police Commissioner William Bratton has expressed reservations about the proposals. He said Friday that they "on first blush appear to be a significant attempt to limit the ability of police officers in this city to do their job."

"Quality of life policing will continue and will continue very assertively in this city," he said. "It's what made this city safe in the first place. It's what will keep the city safe."

Mark-Viverito acknowledged that the proposal is receiving "push-back" from Bratton.

"Yes, we need our neighborhoods to be safe," she said, but non-criminal offenses should not be treated "in a criminal way."

The speaker has also proposed a "citywide bail fund" to establish more equity in a judicial system that jails the poor who cannot afford bail, while releasing the rich.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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