City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito didn’t give an inch Saturday in her battle with NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton over decriminalizing minor offenses.
“We have a situation right now where we have low-level, nonviolent offenses that are being treated in a court of law,” she said one day after Bratton reiterated his support of “broken windows” policing.
“We are unwavering, those of us (who) really believe our criminal justice systems needs to be more fair and balanced,” she said.
Mark-Viverito’s proposal would decriminalize crimes like fare-beating, public drinking or public urination. Bratton is opposed, and Mayor de Blasio has said he sides with the commissioner — but is willing to listen to the speaker’s plan.