BUFFALO (WBEN) - On Friday morning, Mayor Byron Brown announced the next phase of the Buffalo Reform Agenda, which is the ongoing approach to criminal justice and police reform in the city.
As part of this phase of items, city is again extending the time period to make minor vehicle repairs for fix-it tickets to 14 days, and the Buffalo Common Council is also introducing legislation that would repeal the 15 vehicle ordinances that were passed in 2018.
"This new round of reforms under the Buffalo Reform Agenda will help address how certain vehicle and traffic ordinances, as well as their enforcement, have had a negative impact on Black and low-income residents in the City of Buffalo," said Brown. While vehicle and traffic safety is important, laws aimed at making our streets safer must be reviewed to ensure that they do not unintentionally place a burden on members of communities of color and low-income residents who were already struggling to make ends meet."
Councilman Ulysees Wingo was also at the press conference, and he believes this move is the right thing to do.
"Repealing 15 vehicle fines added in 2018 and extending the fix-it ticket deadline, particularly on the heels of the expiration of the $600 unemployment bonus, is another big step in the right direction as Mayor Brown and the Common Council collaborate to propose policy changes that reflect the will of the people," said Wingo.
Also as part of this phase of reforms, Brown announced it will be the official policy of the city to not release mugshots of individuals unless there is a safety threat.