A video recorded on September 24, 2026 at the 73rd Precinct stationhouse in Brownsville, Brooklyn shows an NYPD officer issuing a citation for spitting and then employing physical force during the arrest. The footage quickly spread online, prompting city officials to address the incident.
Councilmember Chris Banks responded to the video by introducing legislation that would prohibit the issuance of tickets for spitting. The proposal seeks to eliminate the practice of treating spitting as a ticketable offense, a move Banks says is intended to prevent similar confrontations.
The incident captured in the video involved an officer first handing a spitting citation to a man and then proceeding to use force. The sequence of actions raised questions about the proportionality of the response and the role of low‑level citations in policing.
Spitting citations have been part of the NYPD's repertoire of minor offenses for years, often used to address public health or sanitation concerns. However, the recent video has intensified calls for reform of such enforcement tactics, with critics arguing that the penalties are disproportionate to the behavior.
Community members gathered near the precinct to voice opposition to the practice. Rev. Kevin McCall joined residents in expressing disapproval of the ticketing and subsequent force, emphasizing the need for policy changes. Their statements highlighted concerns that the current approach may erode trust between the police and the neighborhoods they serve.
The proposed ban on spitting tickets is expected to be reviewed by the city council in the coming weeks. If adopted, it would remove spitting from the list of infractions that can be penalized with a citation, potentially altering how the NYPD addresses minor public conduct violations.