City Council approves two bills that jeopardize NYPD’s stop-and-frisk

The City Council passed two bills early this morning that could drastically rein in the NYPD's use of stop-and-frisk.

Mayor Bloomberg has said he plans to veto both measures, one of which would facilitate lawsuits against the NYPD for those who believe that they were unfairly profiled during a stop-and-frisk, and the other of which would create an inspector general to oversee the department.

But even if Bloomberg uses his veto, both bills passed the 34-vote threshold that will make them veto proof.

The profiling bill passed 34 to 17, while the IG bill passed 40-11.

Warzer Jaff

NOW WHAT? The measures passed by the City Council early this morning could jeopardize stop-and-frisk.

The profiling bill passed without the support of City Council Speaker Christine Quinn — the first time legislation has passed over her opposition in her seven-year tenure.

The mayor, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association — the rank-and-file police union — plan to spend the next few weeks pressuring council members to vote against overriding Bloomberg's vetoes.

In one of the most heated sessions in recent years, supporters of the bills said they are a necessary step to curtail stop- and-frisk, a practice they say enables racial profiling.

"Today, we are striking a blow against a practice which has become a perverse right of passage for all young men of color in the City of New York," said Councilwoman Letitia James (D-Brooklyn.) "It will do nothing to handcuff or prevent the Police Department from ensuring that all of us are safe."

Several members shared stories of being subjected to stop-and-frisk.

Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Queens) in opposing the bills fumed, "It's an unnecessary waste of money. Why don't we take the money we're going to use to establish the office of the inspector general and hire more cops?"

Bloomberg warned that the bills would undermine the NYPD's successful effort to slash crime.

"Last year, there was a record-low number of murders and a record-low number of shootings in our city, and this year, we're on pace to break both of those records," he said in a prepared statement immediately after the council votes.

"Unfortunately these dangerous pieces of legislation will only hurt our police officers' ability to protect New Yorkers and sustain this tremendous record of accomplishment."

The profiling bill would create a private right of action for those who feel they were stopped and frisked simply because of their race, ethnicity, sexuality or other identifying factors rather than reasonable suspicion of a crime.

The measure would allow people to sue the city to force changes in policies such as stop and frisk.

Quinn has said she opposes it because it would give state judges too much power over city policing.

The other measure would create an inspector general within the city Department of Investigation with subpoena power. It would prepare public reports on NYPD policy.

The council also passed the $70 billion Fiscal Year 2014 budget, which takes effect Monday, and overrode Bloomberg's veto of a bill that requires private companies provide at least five annual paid sick days beginning next April.

sally.goldenberg@nypost.com

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