“While smoking marijuana in public remains a quality of life concern and a nuisance to
many of our citizens, an arrest and prosecution for it can lead to a criminal record affecting
employment, school and housing, and have life-long consequences. People of color in the
Bronx are arrested and processed in the system in disproportionate numbers, and I cannot turn a
blind eye to this unfairness. I am urging the NYPD to issue criminal court (“C”) summonses
during stops for public use and possession of marijuana to address the public safety and
community concerns. This will spare all Bronxites from undergoing arrest for these offenses,
and allow the NYPD and the Bronx District Attorney’s Office to investigate and prosecute
violent crimes, which are a threat to public safety. We will continue to work with the Mayor
and Police Commissioner on this policy.”
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