Fewer ‘low’ prosecutions

Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance Jr. said Monday that his office prosecuted more than 7,000 fewer lowlevel criminal offenses in 2017 — and expects to “drive that number even lower” this year.

While testifying at a City Council budget hearing, Vance said his office handled 55,980 misdemeanor and violation arraignments last year, compared with 63,428 in 2016.

“My office has made criminal justice reform and reducing unnecessary incarceration among its highest priorities,” said Vance. “By the end of 2018, we expect to drive that number even lower due to a number of policy changes and reforms.”

His office no longer prosecutes turnstile jumping and unlicensed vendors except when there is a “public safety reason to do so.”