Repeal victimless crimes
Some people think the “Broken Window” Policy saved New York City; others think it destroyed it. What’s indisputable is that New York City has draconian laws on the books and police choose whether or not to enforce them on a case-by-base basis.
As Public Advocate I’ll maintain a list of “crimes” that our city’s politicians should consider repealing so the police don’t have to be the ones making a decision about whether or not to punish someone for a victimless crime.
Decriminalize sex work
Sex work is a risky activity that becomes only more dangerous and harmful to society when it’s managed through law enforcement instead of public health. The fact that New York City continues to pursue a policy of prohibition against sex work, even in the face of widespread recognition by public health professionals and better practices implemented in other developed countries, is a shame on this city and creates real and lasting damage to our residents. Quite simply: it’s time to decriminalize sex work.
Legalize Cannabis
The state legislature and the Governor should be ashamed for not legalizing recreational cannabis. We need simple and immediate decriminalization. People’s lives are being ruined everyday because of these draconian laws. There’s no time to waste.
With the same sense of urgency, we must also free anyone who was imprisoned for anything related to cannabis and expunge their record. Society owes them their immediate freedom and a sincere apology.
Abandon the Bans
Every year it seems like the politicians have decided to ban something else: large sugary drinks, vaping, fur, plastic bags — what’s next?
These bans might seem good natured or relatively harmless, but they have real and detrimental impacts on people, the environment and our culture.
Every ban is enforced through violence or the threat of violence. And many of the proposed bans have unintended consequences. Banning large sugary drinks raises the cost of beverages for people who can least afford it. Vaping can help people quit cigarettes. Plastic bags take 6000 times less energy to produce than cotton ones. Banning fur will subject business owners to violence, either from the city or the black market.
Our politicians should be focused on making our lives better, not on preventing us from spending our time and money however we see fit.