Fight crime to stop ‘Escape from NY’
There’s no question about it, survey after survey shows that after surging inflation, the top concern among most New Yorkers is rising crime and being victimized.
Our beloved Empire State could fast become “the Empty State” as 319,000 New Yorkers walked out the door last year. The state’s leadership, which at this time, all levers of power are dominated by one voice, must make fighting crime a top priority or we will continue to see many more people escape from New York.
The catch and release bail law championed by the Cuomo/Hochul Administration and the Legislative Majorities has been a big mistake that’s made New Yorkers less safe by removing discretion from judges to hold those they deem a danger to the public, creating a revolving door of danger and disaster.
While alleged criminals are walking free back on the streets with appearance tickets, innocent, law-abiding citizens who live in our communities are being discriminated against by increased levels of the criminal element who are committing violent crimes.
Despite some window dressing this year, under the cash bail law, many criminal offenses such as burglary and robbery in the 2nd degree, which are considered violent felony offenses, arson, vehicular assault, menacing, stalking, animal cruelty and several domestic violence offenses are not eligible for bail and remanding in jail.
The Cuomo/Hochul Administration and the progressive Democratic Legislative Majorities said their goal was to mitigate criminal justice discrimination and reduce crime.
However, the crime statistics illustrate the best of intentions has led to the very worst of unintended consequences.
Between July 2020 and June 2021, there were 3,460 cases in which adults were rearrested on violent felony charges after first being charged with crimes for which judges can no longer set bail or keep the defendant jailed. In New York City, the overall crime index increased by 34. 2 percent between April 2021 and April 2022. Robberies skyrocketed by 41.5 percent and burglaries increased by 39.4 percent.
That’s why I’m sponsoring legislation to repeal the bail and discovery reform law (S.1523A) and start over with real input from all stakeholders and a separate bi-partisan bill (S.1521/A.1705) to bring discretion back to our judiciary, reduce crime and restore common sense to our criminal justice system.
Meanwhile, the governor passed the “Less is More” law that has enabled the release of hundreds of criminals across the state. Less is more equals less safety for honest, law-abiding citizens and more violent criminals on the street.
As scores of criminals are being released laissez faire thanks to “Less is More” and the changes to the bail law, progressives are eyeing radical legislation to give the opportunity to parole criminals, regardless of the violent nature of their crimes, when they reach age 55.
This is done against the backdrop of a broken parole system here in New York that makes it difficult for crime victims and their families to have meaningful input on decisions about whether to free those convicted of violent crimes.
No one understands this more than the families of the late Shenendehowa students Deanna Rivers and Christopher F. Stewart who were tragically killed in 2012 by a drunk, drugged and dangerous driver.
The individual who killed Christopher Stewart and Deanna Rivers is up for parole this July, causing further anguish for the families who have to go through the process every two years.
Shockingly, when victims and families give their impact statements to the Parole Board, they may only speak to one board member, with no guarantee that individual will be on the three-person panel to make or be part of the decision as to whether to pa
role or not. In New York this frustrating situation is faced by many crime victims and their families who want to make their voices heard.
That’s why I’m sponsoring legislation (S.2046) to ensure victim impact statements can be videoed and mandate that every Parole Board member who votes on parole for an offender, must watch the videos before making their decision. My bill provides transparency to victims and their families by ensuring that whoever is on a given Parole Board panel is required to see via video the raw emotion and pain that the victim and their loved ones are carrying.
I’m also a sponsor of legislation to extend the waiting period between parole hearings from 24 to 60 months in cases where the inmate applying for parole was sentenced for a violent crime (S.5175).
We can be compassionate for people who have made mistakes, done their time and are trying to turn their lives around, but first and foremost, we need justice and compassion for crime victims.
If our state’s leaders want to be serious about turning things around in New York and stop the mass exodus of people fleeing the state, then they have to make fighting crime and public safety priority number one.
Senator Jim Tedisco represents the 49th State Senate District which includes parts of Saratoga, Schenectady and Herkimer Counties and all of Fulton and Hamilton counties