NYC Council Moves to Legalize Jaywalking, Address Racial Disparities in 96% of Citations

Sep 26, 2024, 07:43 PM

The New York City Council has moved to legalize jaywalking, a practice that has been disproportionately enforced against Black and Hispanic pedestrians. The legislation, sponsored by Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, aims to address the racial disparities in jaywalking tickets, with police statistics indicating that 96% of such citations were given to Black and Hispanic individuals. The repeal of the city's law banning jaywalking reflects a shift towards more equitable treatment of pedestrians in the city. 'I'm walking here' has become a rallying cry for supporters of the legislation.