Facing the No-Bail Fallout: Shea’s Reform Warning
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea’s comment that the significant spike in crime is due to the recently enacted bail guidelines compels review of the guidelines’ dire consequences. They must be rectified (“Cause and Effect,” Editorial, Jan. 28).
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie’s stated refusal to discuss the matter is irresponsible. Turnstile justice isn’t a solution to curbing unlawful activities.
Additionally, providing information about witnesses to defense attorneys so early in the process is a ridiculous practice that ignores possible consequences. John Gargiulo Whitestone
If Shea wants to start on the right foot in the credibility department, making the absurd and irresponsible assertion that New York’s bail reform law, in effect for a mere few weeks, is responsible for an abrupt and alarming spike in violent crime is not the way to go.
The NYPD has had a widespread, pervasive and all-too-often negative impact on law enforcement all across the nation since its introduction of statistics-driven policing in 1994. The damage is still being done.
Shea and many others are doing their best to discredit bail reform — a cause for which many ordinary New Yorkers have worked openly and determinedly for quite a few years now while they ignored this historic effort. Shea disrespects these good people. Shame on him. Terry O’Neill Albany
This gives new meaning to a “kangaroo court.” Here in New York, suspected criminals can just hop into a court or a jail and hop right back out again.
No need for jails with chairs or bologna sandwiches — everything happens so fast.
It’s pathetic. These useless politicians should be put in jail instead. Mike Pedano Great Neck
Just as Broken Windows slowly and effectively brought crime rates down a generation ago by tackling smaller crimes, this new progressive madness will raise it right back up to where it was by emboldening petty criminals to commit worse crimes.
Gun crimes and violent-crime rates will invariably rise. The real shame is the victims didn’t ask for this. It’s a gift from our political leaders. Doug Heimowitz Jericho, Long Island