In response to misleading comments made by Mayor Adams and officials from his administration about Introduction 586-A to increase transparency on police investigative stops and Introduction 549-A to ban solitary confinement, the Council released the following statement attributable to spokesperson Rendy Desamours:

“Yesterday, another New Yorker died on Rikers, marking the second death in the city’s jails in the last three weeks. It’s an urgent reminder that the dangerous status quo and dire conditions that have placed Rikers in the position of federal receivership cannot continue unabated and must be confronted. The Council equally prioritizes the safety of people in custody and staff working in the city’s jails because everyone deserves to be safe. Continuing the use of solitary and isolation exacerbates the dangerous conditions in our jail system, endangering both staff and those detained, and despite the mayor’s claims, solitary is replicated in various forms on Rikers. Contrary to what the Administration said, the use of restraints during transportation of detainees is not prohibited in the bill. The department has a long history of chaining people to desks during what is supposed to have been rehabilitative and therapeutic programming, which is dangerous and increases violence, and our legislation directly addresses this.

“Mayor Adams’ administration continues to ignore the fact that Level I investigative stops often include instances when officers are asking someone where they are going or for their identification absent criminal suspicion, something the Council understands. The differences between Level 1, 2, and 3 stops are often not apparent to New Yorkers who are impacted by these daily disruptions, underscoring the importance of transparency that the Council’s bill would achieve. Council Members have strong relationships with their local precincts and officers because of their frequent collaboration and engagement to promote the best interests of their communities. Deepening those relationships is always something members are open to doing in their districts. We want to have public and private conversations with this administration based on facts, rather than falsehoods.”

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