Mayor Eric Adams embarked on a unique strategy to influence the City Council's vote on a controversial cop bill as he took a crew of council members on police patrol over the weekend. Hoping to persuade at least two council members to change their votes, Mayor Adams, accompanied by at least eight lawmakers, donned bullet-proof vests and joined cops on a ride-along in Harlem and the Bronx.

The purpose of this ride-along was to provide council members with an eye-opening experience and a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by police officers on the ground. Councilwoman Kamillah Hanks of Staten Island expressed her appreciation for the opportunity, stating that it was crucial to incorporate firsthand experiences when crafting bills like the proposed "How Many Stops" bill.

Throughout the night, the lawmakers were packed into NYPD vehicles and attended various police calls, including reports of a stolen cell phone and an assault at a Manhattan liquor store. Mayor Adams, a former NYPD captain, hopes that this firsthand exposure will sway council members to vote against overturning his veto of the controversial "How Many Stops Act," which requires officers to file reports even for minor encounters with citizens.

Mayor Adams believes that spending time on the ground and having a full knowledge of the realities faced by law enforcement is essential for effective governance. He even suggested that ride-alongs should become a regular part of council members' orientation.

During the ride-along, council members were guided by police officers who explained that the proposed bill could hinder police work by imposing unnecessary paperwork. Merely asking bystanders if they witnessed anything could potentially trigger the new law, complicating officers' daily tasks.

However, not all council members embraced Mayor Adams' ride-along offer. A dozen members of the black subcommittee of the council's Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus, including Yusef Salaam of Manhattan, pushed back against the initiative. Salaam initially agreed to participate but later changed his mind after being pulled over by police in Harlem. The police stated that Salaam was stopped for violating the law regarding tinted car windows. Bodycam footage released by the police showed the officer politely leaving the scene upon Salaam's identification as a council member. Despite this, Salaam raised concerns about the lack of explanation for the stop.

The fate of the "How Many Stops Act" will be determined when the City Council convenes on Tuesday for a vote to overturn or maintain the mayor's veto. Mayor Adams, confident in the impact of the ride-along experience, hopes to secure enough support to uphold his veto and prevent the controversial bill from becoming law.

As the debate continues, both sides argue for their respective positions, highlighting the importance of understanding the realities faced by police officers while balancing the need for transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices.