Mayor Adams Sparks Controversy: Vetoes Bills on Solitary Confinement and Police Stop Reporting in NYC

Mayor Eric Adams recently vetoed two vital pieces of legislation to address jail solitary confinement and police stop openness. The mayor’s move could pit him against the City Council, which claims it can overrule the vetoes.

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Mayor Adams Faces Off Against City Council

The first bill limited city jail solitary confinement to four hours for dangerous inmates. Mayor Adams, a former police captain, worried that these limits would increase jail risks and endanger the public. The second bill’s paperwork would impair the police’s capacity to fight crime, he said. Adams announced his vetoes during a news conference with law enforcement and community groups, stating that such regulations could slow crime reduction.

A federal monitor supervising city jail operations raised reservations about the solitary confinement law, prompting the mayor’s administration to oppose it less publicly. Despite Adams’ qualms, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, unrelated to the mayor, said the council would override both vetoes. She said solitary confinement was necessary to solve Rikers Island’s violence issues, which might lead to federal action.

Speaker Adams opposed the mayor’s claim that city jails had not used solitary confinement for years, arguing that it causes physical, psychological, and emotional harm. She called for Rikers Island reform to reduce violence and deaths.

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Mayor Adams’ Vetoes on ‘How Many Stops Act’ Face Council Showdown for Public Safety

The second bill, the “How Many Stops Act,” required police to disclose all investigative stops to promote openness. The law requires reporting the location, demographics, cause for the stop, and whether force was used. Police must only disclose stops involving questioning and searches.

The City Council will dispute Mayor Adams’ vetoes, with Speaker Adams saying that transparency and accountability improve public safety and confidence. The council approved the proposals in late 2023 with enough support to overturn a mayoral veto and become law unless certain members change their minds.

Bill supporters, including Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, called the mayor’s concerns “fear-mongering” and falsehoods. They argue that these adjustments will improve public safety and demand a council override.

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