CPR Statement: Re: City Council’s Public Safety Budget Hearing on NYPD

In response to the City Council Committee on Public Safety’s Preliminary Budget hearing that featured testimony from the NYPD, Communities United for Police Reform released the following statement from spokesperson Priscilla Gonzalez.

“An overzealous focus on targeting and arresting New Yorkers for non-criminal violations and low-level, non-violent misdemeanors is a waste of limited police resources, can have devastating social consequences, and does not improve public safety in our city. These arrests have long-term and severely destabilizing impacts for those targeted – disproportionately the homeless, low-income, poor and communities of color – often resulting in long-term barriers to education and employment, risk of eviction, and even deportation for individuals and families. Utilizing such a strategy is counterproductive to solving the crises of homelessness, poverty and gun violence, does not advance community safety and hurts police-community relations. We are concerned about reports of a significant increase in these types of arrests as a primary law enforcement strategy targeting low income communities of color and homeless people, including within the subways – for example, those simply trying to make ends meet by selling candy or churros – and in public housing developments.”

About Communities United for Police Reform

Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) is an unprecedented campaign to end discriminatory policing practices in New York, and to build a lasting movement that promotes public safety and policing practices based on cooperation and respect– not discriminatory targeting and harassment.

CPR brings together a movement of community members, lawyers, researchers and activists to work for change. The partners in this campaign come from all 5 boroughs, from all walks of life and represent many of those unfairly targeted the most by the NYPD. CPR is fighting for reforms that will promote community safety while ensuring that the NYPD protects and serves all New Yorkers.

Learn more: http://changethenypd.org/
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