Critics accuse Mamdani of betraying his policing pledge for 'quality of life' crimes

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- Community activists are calling on Mayor Zohran Mamdani to push the NYPD to scale back on arrests for so-called "quality of life crimes."

Critics say it criminalizes the less fortunate and unfairly targets minority communities.

They also claim the so-called "broken window" policies, which focus on low-level crimes by the NYPD, have continued in the Mamdani administration.

"We are calling what it is -- broken windows policing," one criminal justice advocate said..

Critics say it's a betrayal that the NYPD is still enforcing so-called "low-level offenses" despite Mayor Mamdani's promise to shift the department's focus.

"Mayor Mamdani was elected on a promise of making New York a livable city for all-ending the criminalization of poverty, mental health, substance use and homelessness," Sami Feliz with Freedom Agenda said.

Criminal justice advocates with Court Watch NYC monitored 360 arraignments over four days, and claim that more than half were for misdemeanor offenses.

"Most of what we saw were crimes of poverty-people who are stealing things like toothpaste, people who were stealing things like, you know, soap. And that means if you're stealing those things, you need them," Assemblymember Emily Gallagher said.

Advocates believe shoplifting or bringing bags of trash onto the trains or sleeping in the subway should not be criminally prosecuted.

Neither should graffiti vandalism and public urination or even fare evasion. Former NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce disagrees, especially for repeat offenders.

"Really, you have to go make those arrests. Otherwise, you'd have chaos on the street," Boyce said.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch made her priorities clear when she was first appointed to lead the department under Mayor Eric Adams.

"The mission is to keep you safe, to make you feel safe and to improve your quality of life," Tisch said.

Eyewitness News Reporter N.J. Burkett asked Mayor Mamdani whether he supported the commissioner's approach.

"Are you confident that she is executing your vision for policing in New York City?" Burkett asked.

"Yes, I would not have someone serving our city if I was not confident in what they were doing," Mamdani replied.

The NYPD has cut misdemeanor arrests by 50%, down to a rate that has remained unchanged since 2018.

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