The Police Department now backs proposed legislation to create buffer zones around houses of worship and schools, after the City Council modified the bill to give cops the ability to decide the location and size of the perimeters. Speaker Julie Menin announced Tuesday, ahead of the hearing, that the City Council revised the legislation to let the the NYPD decide how big or small a buffer zone should be on a case-by-case basis. A previous version broadly designated a buffer zone of up to 100 feet. Cops would establish the buffer area and be responsible for telling protesters and those entering and leaving houses of worship that the perimeter had been set up. “We can all agree that safety is something that should be guaranteed to all New Yorkers, no matter where they pray or where they study,” Menin said at Wednesday’s hearing. “So when we have instances where that safety is under threat, it is our responsibility to make sure that the NYPD has a proper framework to respond effectively, and that their response is as consistent and transparent as possible.” Menin pointed to the pro-Palestinian protests at the Park East Synagogue on the Upper East Side in November as proof this legislation is necessary. There, protesters chanted slogans like “Globalize the intifada” outside an event hosted by the synagogue for a nonprofit that works to facilitate and support North American Jews moving to Israel. But some Council members pushed back, arguing the bill would not effectively work against religious- and race-based hate. Asked directly by Councilmember Alexa Aviles whether the bill was an “effective intervention” to combat hate, Deputy Commissioner of Legal Matters Michael Gerber responded that he thought the bill “fosters transparency.” “The bill would not change what we do day to day,” Gerber said. “It would require us to articulate and put in words and on paper what are approach is to these situations.” Other members also questioned if the bill would infringe on First Amendment rights, as free speech advocates have argued. Ahead of the hearing, counter-protesters, including PAL-Awda, which was involved in the Park East protest, rallied on the City Hall steps, arguing the bill was created to suppress speech in support of Palestine. “This is a distinct shift from the original legislation, which proposed a specific policy that I know our Police Department, as well as a number of legal scholars, had expressed concerns about,” Mayor Mamdani said of the legislation at an unrelated press conference Wednesday. “So, I look forward to seeing the hearing today and to seeing whatever the final version is of that legislation.” Gerber said during his testimony that the the NYPD would make sure protesters could rally within sight and sound of places they are protesting, though without obstructing or interfering with the comings and goings on congregants. If the bill is passed, Police Commissioner Tisch will have to present a plan to the mayor and City Council speaker for approval, with the plan then to be implemented within 120 days. ...read more read less