BY RICHARD BASHNER

Here are three ideas that would change the city for the better over the next four years.

End most bail.

In America, we all are innocent until proven guilty. We only need bail if someone is a flight risk or a danger to society. Most risks can be managed by electronically monitored house arrest which permits and tracks work and family activities. The opposite is true now, because only 20% of the people at Rikers Island have been convicted of a crime. The other 80% are imprisoned because they cannot afford bail. Ending most bail would allow New Yorkers who are arrested to continue to lead their lives, mount an effective defense and not risk losing their jobs, apartments, children, schooling or ability to remain in this country, unless and until actually convicted. Ending bail also will end the waste of taxpayer dollars paid for unnecessary jail time or to help innocent prisoners and their families harmed by incarceration.

Empower tenants.

Let’s create a new optional system to empower tenants to immediately report and document illegal apartment conditions online through photos, rather than wait for building inspectors, who may arrive weeks later or be missed because the tenant is at work.

New Yorkers could take photos of illegal conditions in every multiple dwelling and send them privately to a new city website, which would document the date and time of complaint, and forward it automatically to landlords’ existing registered agents, who would be required to accept such electronic notice. Landlords would be required to respond online and by phone within certain time periods to inspect the problem, specify the timetable for correction, and schedule repairs with tenants. Landlords who fail to act timely or reasonably would

suffer escalating penalties.

Build communal housing.

Let’s work with Housing Authority residents to build onsite affordable housing for senior residents and others with special needs.

Supportive housing with enhanced services and facilities for seniors, people with disabilities and homeless families who work or go to school nearby would permit the delivery of more cost-effective services and the critical mass needed for communal dining halls, and for educational, recreational and other active community spaces. Many NYCHA residents and their neighbors would benefit from a communal setting, including dining halls with reduced food costs for seniors, people with disabilities and neighbors who work shifts in a co-op program.

For many, it would be well worth the tradeoff: more support, enhanced services and community, in return for smaller apartments. Bashner is an attorney, community board member and activist.