Ballot Question 4 in New York City may be seen as a tool to slow down progressive changes aimed at reducing the power and scope of agencies like the NYPD, Department of Corrections, and FDNY. The proposal would extend the time required to 30 days before the City Council can vote on laws impacting these public safety institutions, potentially making it harder to pass transformative laws without lengthy delays or resistance.
Critics argue this measure is part of a larger strategy by Mayor Eric Adams, following the vetoing of two significant reforms related to police accountability and solitary confinement bans, both of which were overridden by the City Council. The requirement for a longer public input period could give agencies more time to organize against these reforms or water them down through extended negotiations.
Opponents of the mayor’s broader set of ballot questions see this as a calculated attempt to consolidate more control in the mayor’s office and undermine the City Council’s ability to enact policies that hold these institutions accountable. Joo-Hyun Kang of No Power Grab NYC contends that the propositions weaken local democratic checks and balances, shifting more power toward the mayor during a time when decentralizing authority is crucial for real community-led safety measures.
Measures that continue to prioritize the perspectives of police, correction, and fire departments over those directly impacted by their practices could hinder movements pushing for systemic change, especially in areas like incarceration, community safety, and ending punitive measures like solitary confinement. As such, this proposal could be viewed as a barrier to the ongoing efforts to challenge the role of traditional public safety institutions and create alternatives rooted in community care and justice.
Link: The City
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