“The next three bills before me represent a package of legislation that enhances the safety of New York City’s nightlife establishments.  Introductory Number 440-A, sponsored by Speaker Quinn and Council Members Vallone, Katz, Brewer, Gerson, Recchia, Felder, Fidler, Gentile, Gonzalez, James, Koppell, Liu, Martinez, McMahon, Mealy, Nelson, Palma, Sanders, Sears, Stewart, Weprin, White, Mark-Viverito, Foster, Gallagher, Lappin, Garodnick and Oddo, provides for an independent monitor as an alternative to the suspension or revocation of a cabaret license resulting from violations of the law. 

“With the consent of a licensed cabaret or public dance hall, the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA ) may require, instead of a suspension or revocation of a license, or as a condition of license renewal, that the cabaret or public dance hall retain an independent monitor approved or selected by the Police Department (NYPD ).  The independent monitor will review the activities of the establishment and recommend steps it can take to ensure compliance with the law, which may include the use of identification scanners and additional training for employees.  The monitor is required to report its findings to the Police Department and the Department of Consumer Affairs on a regular basis. 

“Introductory Number 442-A, sponsored by Speaker Quinn, and Council Members Vallone, Comrie, Katz, Brewer, Recchia, Addabbo, Felder, Fidler, Gentile, Gonzalez, James, Koppell, Liu, Martinez, McMahon, Nelson, Palma, Sanders, Sears, Stewart, Weprin, White, Mark-Viverito, and Oddo, requires cabarets and public dance halls to install digital video surveillance cameras at all entrances and exits and also requires these establishments to record the activity outside of the entrance or exit during all hours of operation and for two hours after closing.  These surveillance videos are to be stored in a locked and secure location and kept for at least 30 days in case they are needed as evidence in a police investigation.  The Department of Consumer Affairs may suspend or revoke a cabaret license for failure to comply with these new requirements.

“Introductory Number 484-A, sponsored by Council Members Vallone, Fidler, Garodnick, Gentile, Gonzalez, James, Koppell, Martinez, Mendez, Nelson, Palma, Recchia, Sears, White, Liu, Gallagher, Monserrate, Lappin and Oddo, amends the City’s Nuisance Abatement Law to allow the City to close down businesses that produce, store, and/or sell false identification documents.
 
“These three bills represent a joint effort on the part of the City Council and the Administration to enact common-sense measures which will increase the safety of the City’s nightlife establishments and address the problem of fake ID’s while at the same time ensuring that the City remains the nightlife capital of the world. 

“I would like to thank Speaker Quinn and the Council as well as NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly, DCA Commissioner Jonathan Mintz and Criminal Justice Coordinator John Feinblatt and their staffs, for the hard work on these bills.”