Statement of PBA President Patrick J. Lynch on passage of harmful “Right to Know” bills

PBA president Patrick J. Lynch said:

“Today the City Council chose politics over public safety by passing two pieces of harmful legislation. As we’ve said from the beginning, the 'Right to Know’ bills will discourage police officers from proactively addressing the threat of crime and terrorism — a threat that is no doubt growing based on recent events. The PBA had zero input on the revisions to this legislation, and if the Council really didn’t want to discourage officers from exercising discretion and policing proactively, they would have abandoned these misguided bills altogether. But instead, they have continuously piled on new burdens and second–guessing for our police officers, presenting a dangerous distraction that will place New Yorkers in harm’s way. Now the responsibility falls squarely on the shoulders of the Council and the Mayor. New York City police officers will always continue to do their jobs to prevent crime and terror. But with this legislation our city leaders have failed all of us.”