Under a state law enacted this year, individuals can face additional penalties if they’re caught wearing a face covering while committing a crime.
But First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro and other members of Adams’ team have in recent weeks approached City Council members about introducing a bill that’d make covering your face at a public gathering, such as a protest, illegal, sources told the Daily News.
Until recently, the proposal Adams’ team has pushed would make mask wearing in such scenarios punishable by fines and even jail time, though there would be some sort of carveout for health reasons, said the sources.
In advocating for a beefed-up ban, Adams has zeroed in on pro-Palestinian protests in the city, where demonstrators often cover their faces. Adams, who has made combating antisemitism a key focus of his bid for reelection, says the state-level restrictions adopted this year aren’t enough, arguing they still embolden protesters to wear masks to engage in criminal activity.
Adams spokeswoman Kayla Mamelak confirmed Wednesday the threat of jail time is not part of the mask ban proposal under discussion. She didn’t say specifically what prompted the change, but added that Adams remains focused on returning to prepandemic rules that restricted mask wearing in most public settings.
Tisch, who became Adams’ NYPD commissioner in November, is generally supportive of a strengthened mask ban, testifying before the Council this spring that she believes there needs to be tougher restrictions. However, sources said Tisch has internally questioned how a ban as aggressive as the one pushed by the mayor’s team in recent weeks would play out on the streets.
An NYPD spokeswoman said Tisch “has no concerns about enforcement in regards to this ban,” but wouldn’t comment on areas where she might have reservations.
Mamelak said any concerns Tisch may have voiced would be part of the regular deliberative legislative process. She added that the mayor is focused on cracking down on “cowards who hide behind masks to harass and threaten others” while protecting “everyone’s right to peacefully protest.”
“We are examining ways to work with the City Council to pass further legislation on the local level,” Mamelak said. “As always, when we are ready to make an official announcement, we will do so.”
Queens Councilwoman Joann Ariola, a Republican, has already introduced a bill that would ban the wearing of ski masks in most public settings, with violators subject to fines. She said she doesn’t understand why Adams is pursuing a new bill instead of working with her on her existing legislation, which already has sponsors.
“There was no reason to re-create the wheel,” she said. “This is a good bill and it has been vetted.”
To enact a new mask ban, Adams needs a Council member to introduce a bill for him. The bill would then need support from at least half of the chamber’s 51 members to pass.
Among the lawmakers Mastro and Adams’ team have approached about introducing a new mask ban bill are Councilman Eric Dinowitz, D- Bronx, and other members of the Council’s Jewish Caucus, insiders confirmed.
Brooklyn Councilman Justin Brannan, the Council’s Finance Committee chairman and a member of its Democratic leadership team, said the measure is not gaining traction in the Council, as many lawmakers believe existing state-level restrictions are strong enough.
“Hell no …,” Brannan said via text.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, it was illegal in New York to wear a mask in most public settings. However, that restriction was repealed during the pandemic, as mask wearing became critical.
Public health advocates worry reintroducing an outright ban could result in the targeting of vulnerable populations who still need to mask up because of health concerns.
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