NYC Council Overrides Mayor’s Veto on NYPD Documentation Bill 

By Matis Glenn

The New York City Council on Tuesday overrode Mayor Eric Adams’ veto on a bill that would force the NYPD to document routine interactions with the public, as well as another bill forcing an end to solitary confinement in jails.

The override of Adams’ veto of the “How Many Stops” act required the support of 4/5 of the council’s 51 members, which it received when 42 voted in favor; nine were opposed.

Adams spent weeks campaigning against the bill, which he and the NYPD say will place an unnecessary burden on an already swamped police department, leading to longer response times and less patrolling. Supporters believe that it will decrease what they say is a racial bias in the department.

Under the bill, police would have to document detailed information, including race and gender, from people they speak to for information when conducting missing person’s searches, witnesses to crimes, or even when police ask for help in identifying an address.

“These bills will make New Yorkers less safe on the streets,” Adams said in a statement, after the override was released, “while police officers are forced to fill out additional paperwork rather than focus on helping New Yorkers and strengthening community bonds. Additionally, it will make staff in our jails and those in our custody less safe by impairing our ability to hold those who commit violent acts accountable.

 “From our law enforcement officers and district attorneys to our faith leaders, from the business community to the editorial boards, and from the Federal Monitor to parents like Yanely Henriquez – who lost her daughter Angellyh to gun violence nearly two years ago – New Yorkers have been clear that they want their officers on the streets and their correction staff to come home to their families at night.

“With these bills set to become law, I remain willing to partner with my colleagues in the City Council to address New Yorkers’ concerns in the period leading up to implementation.”

Adams appealed to the public in his aim to prevent the bill from passing, even going so far as to assemble nine councilmembers to join him on a police ride-along through Harlem and the South Bronx over the weekend.

Reaction from the NYPD was fierce.

“Today’s over-ride is one more step toward the city council goal: destroy the world’s best police department,” NYPD Detectives Endowment Association President Paul DiGiacomo told the NY Post.