Council Speaker Aligns with NYPD, Shows Reading Comprehension Weakness
Correction: the new rules say 30 or more cyclists or vehicles, they do not mention pedestrians in the second clause. However, given the first clause, where any 10+ people violating a traffic law are required to have a permit, there is no practical difference.
Speaker Quinn has committed early to new NYPD Public Gathering Rules:
The New York City Police Department's proposed regulations for when and what activities will require parade permits are a substantial improvement over regulations proposed earlier.
We are very pleased that the NYPD was receptive to our suggestions for a practical approach to traffic and public safety issues.
New York City is a symbol of creativity and free expression for people around the world. It is difficult to balance the protection of civil liberties with the need for public order. We believe that the newly proposed rules have struck a better balance. We hope that the Police Department will carefully consider all the comments that they receive from individuals and groups during this public comment period. We hope too that the Police Department will be open to additional suggestions of ways to better balance the competing interests at stake.
We are very pleased that the NYPD was receptive to our suggestions for a practical approach to traffic and public safety issues.
New York City is a symbol of creativity and free expression for people around the world. It is difficult to balance the protection of civil liberties with the need for public order. We believe that the newly proposed rules have struck a better balance. We hope that the Police Department will carefully consider all the comments that they receive from individuals and groups during this public comment period. We hope too that the Police Department will be open to additional suggestions of ways to better balance the competing interests at stake.
Earlier today the NYPD announced new public gathering rules, lets review:
Parade permits for groups of 10 or more bicyclists or pedestrians who plan to travel more than two city blocks without complying with traffic laws will require a permit or be subject to arrest.
Also groups of 30 or more bicyclists or vehicles which obey traffic laws will also require a permit or be subject to arrest.
Also groups of 30 or more bicyclists or vehicles which obey traffic laws will also require a permit or be subject to arrest.
Quinn says this is a substantial improvement from the rules the NYPD tried to create in August. Lets try the smell test! Here are the rules the NYPD tried in August:
Any group of two or more cyclists or pedestrians traveling down a public street, who violate any traffic law, rule or regulation can be arrested for parading without a permit.
Any group of 20 or more cyclists must obtain a permit and approved route from the NYPD or would be subject to arrest
Every group of 35 of more pedestrians must obtain a permit and approved route from the NYPD or would be subject to arrest
Any group of 20 or more cyclists must obtain a permit and approved route from the NYPD or would be subject to arrest
Every group of 35 of more pedestrians must obtain a permit and approved route from the NYPD or would be subject to arrest
So, they increased the threshold at which j-walking becomes an arrestable offense from 2 to 10. And they rounded the last two points. Is that a substantial difference?
Smells the same to me. Quinn must NOT have read the same NYPD statement everyone else did today, or she has a real reading comprehension problem.
This also begs the question why Quinn wanted to be leader of the legislative branch in the first place if she's not going to lead on legislating in area which clearly calls for it. The NYPD plain and simple should not be making dramatic rule changes that effect fundamental civil liberties. The representatives of the people should.
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