Community Safety Act Passes; NYC Council Overrides Bloomberg Vetoes On NYPD Oversight Bills

The New York City Council voted Thursday to override Mayor Michael Bloomberg's vetoes of two bills aimed at reining in the New York City Police Department's controversial use of stop and frisk.

The council passed the Community Safety Act earlier this summer. It sets up the office of the inspector general-- which will act as a watchdog over the NYPD--and makes it easier for New Yorkers to sue if they've been racially profiled by police.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg vetoed both provisions, and vowed to use his own fortune to convince key council members not to override him.

But on Thursday, after impassioned speeches from many council members--including a tearful speech from bill co-sponsor Jumaane Williams--the council voted to override both vetoes.

The Community Safety Act will be enacted over the next few months:

Earlier this month, a federal judge ruled the NYPD's use of stop and frisk was unconstitutional, and appointed a federal monitor to oversee the department.

In 2012, the NYPD stopped 533,042 people, 87 percent of who were either black or Latino.