From Nasdaq, Inc.:

New York City Council has passed a law requiring NYPD officers to record race, gender, and age of people they question, despite Mayor Eric Adams’ veto. This monumental step aims to promote police reform and transparency. The law follows a recent controversial police encounter with City Councilmember Yusef Salaam, bringing attention to the issue.

The new legislation targets the NYPD’s 36,000 officers, mandating documentation of all investigative encounters. This is a critical move for a city previously impacted by the unconstitutional “stop and frisk” policy, particularly affecting communities of color. The law applies to minor encounters not involving crime suspects, representing a significant development in police accountability.

A study reveals alarming disparities in cannabis arrests in New York, with cities like New York City having arrest rates up to 10 times higher than the state average. NYPD data showed that more than 94% of marijuana arrests were of New Yorkers of color in 2020. Numerous arrests were concentrated in predominantly Black neighborhoods, challenging the police’s claim of non-biased actions.

Mayor Adams and NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams have conflicting opinions on the new law. Adams believes in the need for prompt public safety responses, while Williams argues that the reporting process can be done quickly and is essential police work. These divergent views underscore the importance and controversy surrounding the new legislation.



Read more: NYC Police Now Mandated To Record Race And Gender In All Stops, How Will Cannabis Arrests Be Affected?