Mercedes Narcisse
1:05:49
Thank you, majority leader.
1:05:51
Today, I am reintroducing the stop illegal evictions act.
1:05:54
Intro 621, 622, 632, and Rizzo 246.
1:05:58
Which will create stronger penalties and disincentives to finally end illegal evictions in New York City.
1:06:04
My district is one of the top 5 district's hardest hit by illegal lockouts and evictions, and I've seen them in action.
1:06:11
I've personally been to eviction blockades and stood by as tenants had their furniture thrown out or slept in cars.
1:06:17
I can tell you there is little to no enforcement and that there's no real threat of accountability to discard this encourage this illegal behavior.
1:06:24
These bills are simple.
1:06:25
They increase existing fines, create new penalties, and make it easier for all lawful pence to get back into their homes.
1:06:32
With these new bills, New York City will send a clear message that you will face deep penalties if you try to lock out your tenants.
1:06:39
We are also announcing, well, I'm not, but the city council data team launched today a new data dashboard showing illegal evictions across the city.
1:06:48
The council debt dashboard will update regularly and show illegal lockouts throughout the city, how many NYPD sentences were issued for illegal evictions as well as how many enforced evictions occurred.
1:07:00
According to this data, there have been over 6000 illegal eviction cases filed across the city since February 2023, and those numbers are only increasing.
1:07:09
And with those numbers, we are seeing that the NYPD only issued 88 summonses during this time.
1:07:15
So even though legal evictions are a class a misdemeanor and a restable offense, it's very little accountability.
1:07:22
I want to thank the city council data team for working with us since last year, and I also want to thank many advocates, take root justice, neighbors together, vocal New York, mobilization for justice, who's also on strike for a fair contract, right to counsel New York City, churches United for fair housing, Met Council on Housing, St.
1:07:40
Luke's Alliance, Housing Rights Initiative, and more.
1:07:42
Thank you very much.
