Urinating in the street, littering, drinking alcohol and loitering are to be decriminalized in New York City.
Under bills expected to be signed soon, police will no longer treat such crimes as criminal offences.
Many council members have criticized the decision.
Councilman Steve Matteo said: ‘We don’t want people to think it’s okay to urinate in public.
‘We want there to be real consequences because there’s a big difference between a criminal fine and a civil fine.’
The new fines will include $25 for alcohol offenses, $75 for a first noise offense and $75 for urination.
Rather than facing a criminal court, any offenders will appear before a tribunal.
They can challenge the ticket, perform community service or pay the fine.
They can also challenge the ticket by phone.
The proposals are ab attempt that will shift over 100,000 cases a year out of the New York court system.
NYPD Commissioner William Bratton said he approved the changes, but added that his officers ‘retain the right in every instance to make an arrest, if appropriate.’
