The City Council has passed a bill requiring NYPD officers to report basic information on many of their encounters, but the mayor is not expected to sign it.
The legislation had been a point of controversy among city officials. The How Many Stops Act would require officers to report the race, age and gender of the New Yorkers who they approach, as well as any factors leading to the interaction and the outcomes.
Mayor Eric Adams has been a vocal opposer of this bill, saying it will only add more paperwork for officers. He says he will not sign it.
The Legal Aid Society says 91% of stop and frisks in the city involved New Yorkers of color. Advocates and elected officials rallied outside of City Hall to urge the bill to be signed into law to increase police accountability.
"As a Council member, it is very scary to see those red and blue lights turn on behind you when you’re driving. I can tell you, I’m a member myself and those lights scare me to this day,” said City Council Member Kevin Riley. “I come to this building every week and get pulled over if I don’t have a suit on because they don’t recognize me. That is a disheartening feeling as a Black man."
The How Many Stops Act was one among five other bills that were voted on at the final City Council hearing of 2023.