Lew's View: Support NYPD and Bill Bratton

New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton needs your support. His ability to keep the city safe, maintain law and order and enhance the quality of life is under attack by the New York City Council.

Melissa Mark-Viverito, the City Council speaker, has a plan to decriminalize a whole host of offenses and quality-of-life crimes. She wants to prevent a cop on the beat from arresting criminals for fare-beating and urinating in public.

Bratton wants officers to have discretion in making arrests for these low level crimes. That's the way it should be.

In order for citizens, business people, and tourists to feel safe and in order for the city's economy flourish, New York City's Finest must be able to use all of the tools necessary to discourage uncivil and unlawful behavior.

The violence which has occurred in other cities during recent protests should be a reminder to all New Yorkers that we have the most competent police force in the nation.

I urge all New York City residents to contact your City Council member and encourage them to stand with Commissioner Bratton. If you don't know your City Council member, follow me on Twitter at @LewsView where I'll provide a link to the information.