(FreePressBeacon.com) – In a new bout of leftist insanity, and despite the alarming statistic of over 200 jaywalking fatalities in New York City in the past five years, the city has legalized jaywalking to address alleged “racial bias” in law enforcement.
Many fear this move undermines public safety and exacerbates street chaos.
As Mayor Eric Adams and city councilmembers champion racial equity, public safety seems to be sidelined.
New York City has officially legalized jaywalking, allowing pedestrians to cross streets outside designated crosswalks or against signals.
This change, driven by the city’s council and influenced by allegations of racial bias, stems from statistics showing over 90% of jaywalking tickets were issued to black and Latino individuals.
Concerns about discriminatory enforcement ultimately led to this legislative shift.
The ordinance made its way into law after Mayor Eric Adams neither signed nor vetoed it within the 30-day time frame.
Interestingly, some claim that jaywalking laws have always served more as a tool of oppression rather than safety, suggesting the policing method only discriminates against minority communities due to its origins, which favor motorists over pedestrians, The Daily Wire reports.
This echoes sentiments voiced by Brooklyn Councilwoman Mercedes Narcisse: “People are simply trying to get where they need to go. Laws that penalize common behaviors shouldn’t exist, especially when they unfairly impact communities of color.”
The new law will take effect in the coming 120 days, effectively removing the penalties that once reached up to $300 per violation.
Yet, worry surfaces over potential chaos expected on New York City’s streets following this change.
Speaker figures from the NYPD confirm continuous traffic safety measures despite the decriminalization.
However, it remains uncertain whether their efforts can counteract the heightened pedestrian danger predicted by critics.
Republican Minority Leader Joseph Borelli voiced staunch opposition, framing this act as part of broader societal decriminalization drives.
“It’s part of a broader decriminalization of everything,” he emphasized.
Other council members like Tiffany Cabán argue that these laws aren’t safeguarding public welfare, highlighting the McGrath quote on focusing on effective street design and better traffic rule enforcement rather than outdated prohibitions.
Regardless, the controversy persists on whether recent reforms will yield real improvements in racial equality and city dynamics without compromising pedestrian safety.
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