D.A. Vance: Summonses Will Replace Arrests For Low Level Offenses In Manhattan

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Go ahead, sip a beer on the stoop.

As 1010 WINS' Al Jones reported, the NYPD will no longer arrest people with outstanding warrants for minor offenses like public drinking, taking up two seats on the subway, or public urination.

District Attorney Cyrus Vance said the changes will only affect Manhattan, but will trim 10,000 cases from the logs of already clogged courts.

"Through this initiative, we are devoting our resources to best protect and serve New Yorkers. By ensuring courts are not unnecessarily bogged down with minor offenses committed by those who pose no threat to public safety, we help focus police and prosecutorial resources on those who commit serious crimes," Vance said.

Commissioner Bratton said the move will reduce paperwork and allow the NYPD to put more resources where they belong.

"This new policy in Manhattan will save valuable police resources. Police officers can now quickly return a person to court on a warrant and, at the same time, adjudicate their current summonsable offense, all without jeopardizing the public safety," Bratton said.

Officers can still make an arrest if it's necessary for public safety

In:
• New York City Police Department
• Bill de Blasio
• Cyrus Vance