Social-Distancing Arrests Bring Charges of NYPD Bias
- Abuse incidents don’t jibe with mayor’s police reform vows
- State attorney general sees a pattern of race discrimination
New York City police officers wearing protective masks walk past people sitting on a grassy area around the Hudson River on May 3.
Photographer: Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images via Getty Images
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Accusations that New York City police used excessive force and targeted minorities while enforcing social distancing and face-mask rules have undercut Mayor Bill de Blasio’s six-year campaign to get officers to avoid escalating street encounters.
De Blasio said Thursday that civilian community groups will take a greater role in social-distancing enforcement after Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, several City Council members and state Attorney General Letitia James demanded the department enforce the rules more fairly.