NYC PBA backs bill to better police hotels, which owners call `nuclear bomb’

The union representing New York City police officers has endorsed controversial legislation to more strictly regulate hotels, which owners of inns claim will crush the Big Apple’s lodging industry.

Intro. 991 — the Safe Hotels Act — will make it easier to rein in problem-plagued hotels, Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry said, joining forces with the key labor force behind the measure, the Hotel Trades Council representing thousands of hotel workers.

“While New York City police officers recognize that the vast majority of our city’s hotels and
motels are responsible partners within our communities, there are a small but significant number of bad actors whose properties harbor criminal activity and other public safety hazards,” Hendry said in an Aug. 2 letter to the bill’s sponsor, Councilwoman Julie Menin (D-Manhattan).

“Police officers on patrol are very aware of such properties in our precincts, because we are called to those locations again and again for issues ranging from quality-of-life violations to serious and violent crimes, including drug trafficking, human trafficking and homicide,” the PBA leader said.

“These dens of criminality and disorder are not only dangerous for hotel staff and law-abiding guests; they pose an unnecessary risk to PBA members every time we respond there.”

Four of the five district attorneys also back the bill.

But hotel industry leaders claim crime is not a serious problem at the properties and the issue is being used as a ruse to micromanage the hotels, with one likening the legislation to a “nuclear bomb.”

Among other things, the proposal would require hotels to reapply for an operating license every year and ban establishments from subcontracting out for front desk and room service and maintenance work.

“New York City hotels do not have a public safety problem, period. Our hotels are among the safest in the world. This bill was written to help the private interests of a very few, and not to protect the public safety of New Yorkers and our visitors,” said Vijay Dandapani, president and CEO of the Hotel Association of New York City.

The American Hotel and Lodging Association, in a letter to the five district attorneys, also disputed crime statistics cited by the bill’s supporters and noted hotels have a low complaint rate in the city’s 311 system.

“Additional unnecessary regulations will only further burden the hospitality industry and take a toll on the city’s economy. The City of New York should always work to improve on crime and law enforcement issues, but implementing another license for hotels to operate won’t help accomplish that goal,” said Kevin Carey, interim president and CEO of AHLA. 

“What has worked is law enforcement working together in partnership with the hotel industry to ensure our community, employees and guests are safe.”