New Yorkers sound off on borough-based jail proposal at City Council hearing

Just days after the plan to close Rikers Island and open four smaller jails pushed forward, New Yorkers filled City Council chambers to have their opinions on the proposal heard.

News 12 Staff

Sep 5, 2019, 9:30 PM

Updated 1,705 days ago

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Just days after the plan to close Rikers Island and open four smaller jails pushed forward, New Yorkers filled City Council chambers to have their opinions on the proposal heard.
The proposal would build jails in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan as replacements. The plan moved forward on Tuesday when the city's Planning Commission approved the zoning changes needed to build those facilities.
In the Bronx, the jail would be at the current site of the NYPD Tow Pound in Mott Haven.
Councilwoman Diana Ayala represents the area where the new jail would be built and has supported it in the past. On Thursday, Councilman Rafael Salamanca expressed his opposition to the plan.
Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. has proposed another location closer to the courthouse.
Lawmakers had the chance to ask questions on Thursday and New Yorkers had the opportunity to sound off. So many people showed up to the hearing that subcommittee members encouraged them to submit their testimonies online.
The City Council will reportedly vote on the proposal to build new jails in October.


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