Cheers! Manhattan decriminalizes public drinking, urination

2016-03-02T18:45:00-05:00

Beginning on Monday, March 7, 2016, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office will no longer prosecute most violations or infractions, and the NYPD will no longer arrest individuals who commit these offenses – such as littering, public consumption of alcohol, or taking up two seats on the subway – unless there is a demonstrated public safety reason to do so. This initiative will enable the NYPD to devote its resources to investigating serious crimes...

New Yorkers rejoice! A new initiative announced by the Manhattan District Attorney, the NYPD Commissioner and the Mayor means that you're now less likely to get arrested for sipping on a tallboy on your way back from a bodega.

While you still may get a summons and have to pay a fine, the announcement suggests you may just find yourself with a warning. Either way, this is good news – particularly for people of color, as about 81% of quality-of-life violations given in NYC between 2001 and 2013 were to African American or Hispanic individuals.

The changes also mean it's less likely for you to get arrested for urinating in public. As any visitor to Manhattan knows, a good public bathroom is hard to find.

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Cheers! Manhattan decriminalizes public drinking, urination