From the Press Office: 

Mayor de Blasio, NYC Board of Correction to End Solitary Confinement in City Jails

March 8, 2021

NEW YORK—Tomorrow, the New York City Board of Correction, an independent oversight board for the City’s jail system, will formally propose rules to end solitary confinement in the City’s jails at its public meeting. With the new proposed disciplinary model, New York City will go further than any major jail system in the country in banning solitary confinement.

"From closing Rikers Island, to ending solitary confinement for people under the age of 22, we have reoriented our correction system to value human life and rehabilitation,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "Now we are making good on our commitment to ban solitary confinement altogether, creating jails that are fundamentally smaller, safer, and fairer." (Click here, for more information).

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Mayor de Blasio Applauds U.S. Senate Passage of American Rescue Plan

March 6, 2021

NEW YORK—Mayor Bill de Blasio today released the following statement applauding the passage of the American Rescue Plan in the U.S. Senate. The legislation now moves to the U.S. House for final passage.

"Cities like New York have been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response for almost a year and have suffered enormous challenges. Too many mothers, fathers, siblings, grandparents, neighbors and friends have lost their lives to this terrible disease, while too many businesses have closed and our budget has suffered. But we are now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. The recovery for the nation begins New York City. With robust local aid, we will have the necessary investments to push forward with our testing and vaccination efforts, further help small businesses, fully reopen schools in the fall and more. I thank Senate Majority Leader, and proud son of Brooklyn, Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and look forward to Speaker Pelosi and the entire New York delegation taking the next step forward."

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A Recovery for All of Us: Mayor de Blasio Outlines Next Phase of Comprehensive Police Reform Effort

March 5, 2021

Draft plan outlines New York City’s ongoing effort to undo the legacy and harm of racialized policing 

NEW YORK—Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced the next phase of the City’s police reform effort. The New York City Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative draft plan, released today, builds on the initial proposals set forth in the 2021 State of the City and seven years of consecutive police reform under the de Blasio Administration. Through 36 reforms, the plan outlines the next phase of the Administration’s ongoing effort to undo the legacy and harm of racialized policing.

“When I took office, I vowed to reform a broken stop and frisk policy—both to protect the dignity and rights of young men of color, and to give our brave police officers the partnership they need to continue their success in driving down crime,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “There were so many who said it couldn’t be done. But we proved them wrong.  Now, we must go further to confront the harmful legacy of racialized policing. These reforms will restore trust and accountability to create a police force that reflects the communities they serve – all while keeping New York City the safest big city in America.”  (Click here, for more information).

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Recovery for All of Us: Mayor de Blasio Appoints Rachel Loeb as Acting President of New York City Economic Development Corporation

March 5, 2021

NEW YORK—Mayor de Blasio today appointed Rachel Loeb the Acting President of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC). Loeb, currently EDC’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, will assume the new role Monday, March 8. Loeb succeeds James Patchett, who is returning to the private sector after seven years working for the City.

“From sourcing essential PPE, to building the first-of-its-kind Pandemic Response Lab, to helping make New York City a global life sciences leader, EDC has done extraordinary work in leading this city’s fight against COVID-19. I know Rachel will build on that work and serve as a fearless, creative advocate for this city’s recovery,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I’m grateful for James Patchett’s service to his fellow New Yorkers, and I can’t wait to work closely with Rachel to build a recovery for all of us.” (Click here, for more information).

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