New York City Decriminalizes Public Drinking

Just in time for Spring Fever to hit NYC, New York District Attorney Vance, Commissioner Bratton and Mayor De Blasio announce that they are changing up  public drinking.  Before we go on, we must inform you that it still isn’t legal, but you won’t go to jail for it. Officers can still issue summons for public drinking along with other low-level crimes like public urination, but for reals, we are civilized and don’t cosign that.

The goal is to allow the NYPD to focus their time and energy on more serious and violent crimes and prevent our jail system from getting clogged up by honest folks that simply wanted to indulge in a “roadie” – which we very much cosign and may have practiced on frequent occasion.

“Using summonses instead of arrests for low-level offenses is an intuitive and modern solution that will help make sure resources are focused on our main priority: addressing threats to public safety,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement. “Today’s reforms allow our hardworking police officers to concentrate their efforts on the narrow group of individuals driving violent crime in New York City. This plan will also help safely prevent unnecessary jail time for low-level offenses.

While we are a long ways away from our beloved To-Go Cups in New Orleans, score a win for all those who are Thirsty. And on that note, we hope to see all of you in Sheep’s Meadow to share some rosé on the first nice park day.

The Public Drinking Law According to the DA

Beginning on Monday, March 7, 2016, unless necessary for public safety reasons, the NYPD will no longer arrest individuals who commit these low-level offenses in Manhattan, and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office will no longer prosecute most infractions or violations, including:

  • Public Consumption of Alcohol
  • Public Urination
  • Various subway offenses, such as Riding Between Cars, Taking Up More Than One Seat, Feet on the Seat

Read the Press Release from the DA here.

 

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