The City Council voted Wednesday to reduce penalties for some low-level offenses, but as part of a compromise, officers will still retain the power to make arrests in those cases. NY1's Courtney Gross filed the following report.

Having an open container of an alcoholic drink or taking a stroll in a park at night may no longer come with such a high price.

The City Council approved its Criminal Justice Reform Act on Wednesday, which encourages the NYPD to seek civil penalties instead of criminal summonses for low-level offenses.

"This is a very important day for this Council and for our city," said City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito.

So that means crimes like having an open container, public urination, excessive noise or littering will more likely end up in the civil system instead of the criminal one.

The legislation also makes most park rules civil violations instead of misdemeanors. Right now, even walking on newly seeded grass could get you a criminal record. That will no longer be the case.

"This is an incredible step forward," the Council speaker said. "I mean, this is probably one of the more comprehensive bills on this reform that has been proposed."

The act was a product of more than a year of negotiations between the City Council and One Police Plaza. Under the compromise, the NYPD can still decide to arrest someone should they commit any of these offenses, but they will be encouraged not to.

"I got what I want for my officers. They retain the right in every instance to make an arrest," said Police Commissioner William Bratton. "The Council is getting what they wanted, which was to reduce the penalties."

Ultimately, nine Council members voted against the move, some questioning whether it will encourage bad behavior.

"This package of legislation takes the teeth out of enforcing the laws that help prevent these behaviors," said City Councilman Steven Matteo of Staten Island.

It's something the speaker aggressively dismissed.

"I think that's just a ridiculous argument," she said.

Most of these changes will will not take effect for a year, but when they do, the civil penalty for having an open container will be $25.