The legislation, reintroduced for a third time on Jan. 29 by Democratic Councilwoman Crystal Hudson, would require that “young people” be “diverted” to “community-based organizations to receive services in lieu of criminal enforcement.”

However, the bill fails to define “young” or what crimes it covers.

It also offers little information about what organizations those subject to arrest will be diverted to beyond that they’ll be nonprofits providing services to a “particular community or trade union that offers apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship programs.”

Some cities – including NYC, Los Angeles and Miami – already have programs in place to divert youths from jail and to community-based services to prevent recidivism, but Hudson’s bill would make it law.

Hudson’s bill was previously introduced during the 2022-23 and 2024-2025 Council sessions, attracting only 11 and seven co-sponsors, respectively, and failing to reach the full Council for a vote.

The current version has five co-sponsors so far.

Twenty-six are needed for passage and 34 to make it veto-proof.

But with comrade Mamdani — whose soft-on-crime tactics since taken office include dropping plans to increase the Police Department’s ranks by 5,000 officers — at Gracie Mansion, Hudson’s best shot could be now.

“She has a listening ear with a mayor who would like to see nobody put in jail,” said Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Queens).

“In the past, not only was there no appetite for this kind of thing on the Council, but if it did pass, it would likely get vetoed. Councilmember Hudson is betting on that not happening with this administration – and that is a good bet.”

“This is much too vague as written,” Ariola added. “We need a clear definition of what a ‘young person’ is. Nobody wants to see ten-year-olds in jail, but we also don’t want violent 17-year-old offenders skirting justice either.”

The radical left has pushed the kid gloves treatment before in New York — with disastrous results. The Raise the Age law, which took effect in 2019, increased the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 18. That’s meant the vast majority of 16- and 17-year-old offenders are routed to Family Court –where they typically avoid jail and prison.

Youth violence across New York City hit historic highs during 2025, with staggering numbers of shooters and shooting victims falling under the age of 18.

The radical left has pushed the kid gloves treatment before in New York — with disastrous results. The Raise the Age law, which took effect in 2019, increased the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 18. That’s meant the vast majority of 16- and 17-year-old offenders are routed to Family Court –where they typically avoid jail and prison.

Last year, 14% of shooting victims and 18% of shooters were youths – the highest numbers since the NYPD began tracking the incidents in 2018, Commissioner Jessica Tisch said in January.

In the latest example of youth violence in the Big Apple, four people – Thomas Tyler, 23, and three 17-year-old boys – were arrested Tuesday for allegedly shooting an innocent bystander in the leg during what is believed to be a gang-related incident, police said. The 23-year-old woman was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

The NYPD has begun using a new tactic to attack crime in zones where teens travel.

“Last fall, the department implemented Youth Safety Zones, modeled after Violence Reduction Zones, to proactively address youth violence,” an NYPD spokesperson said in a statement.

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