On the final stated City Council meeting of the year, councilmembers voted on 38 pieces of legislation yesterday, including the passage of the controversial Right to Know Act.
Combined, bills Intro 182-D and Intro 541-C require police officers to present business cards that show their name, rank, shield number and command at certain civilian interactions outside of traffic stops. Officers will also be required to record consent before searching a person. The bill passed 27-20 and 37 – 13 with three abstentions each.
City Councilmember Richie Torres (D–Bronx), the sponsor of bill 182-D, gave an ardent speech on the importance of passing the amended version of the bill that would exclude traffic stops, to which he received a standing ovation.
“I stand behind what I have chosen to do,” said Torres. “Even if it means standing alone. Even if it means I have no future in Progressive politics.”
Recently, Torres came under fire when Progressive Caucus Councilmembers Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) and Brad Lander (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington) outwardly opposed the new version of the bill.
The Brooklyn lawmakers suggested the compromise to omit traffic stops is less effective and a substantial deviation from the original legislation. In a combined statement, Williams and Landers also said it was important to support civil rights groups, community based organizations and labor unions.
During his speech Torres addressed his idea of what the relationship should resemble between civic groups and the council.
“Advocates for police reform have every right to expect a seat at the table,” said Torres. “Advocates have every right to make their voices heard, even loudly. But no advocate should ever have veto power over the legislative agenda of the New York City Council.”
Williams and Landers were not alone in opposing the last minute compromise to omit traffic stops. During the stated meeting, Carlos Menchaca (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook) and both Speaker candidates, Robert Cornegy (D-Bedford-Stuyvesant, Northern Crown Heights) and Donovan Richards (D-Southeast Queens, Rockaways) applauded Torres’ efforts but ultimately opposed the bill.
“Let’s be clear, the most common interactions between police and my constituents are level one and traffic stops, whether the data shows it or not, “ said Richards.
When Williams, who is also vying for the speaker seat, exceeded his two-minutes of talk time, Public Advocate Tish James, who was presiding over the meeting, cut his mike off. When Councilmember Rosie Mendez (D-Manhattan) tried to yield her time to Williams both Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and James shut the idea down.
“It’s a sham and it’s a shame,” said Williams un-miked.
Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Queens) voted alongside speaker candidates Councilmember Mark Levine (D- Manhattan) and Councilmember Cory Johnson (D- Manhattan) in favor of Intro 182-D and spoke to what he described as the forceful and sometimes unfair treatment of Torres.
“Let me be clear, the bill is not all that I wish it was, and I wish it went further,” said Van Bramer.” “But I want to stand with Councilmember Torres, and I want to speak in favor of this piece of legislation. And while it’s frustrating to some, I am not going to join the chorus of those attacking this young man.”
Mark-Viverito took her final vote as a city councilmember in favor of the bill as well.
