Sen. Fred Akshar, Southern Tier assemblymen Christopher Friend and Clifford Crouch, state Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, New York State Sheriffs’ Association, New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, District Attorneys Association of New York and state lawmakers stood in protest Tuesday at the State Capitol in Albany, calling for repeal of recently-enacted “bail reforms” that have resulted in release of dangerous and violent individuals – without bail – in communities throughout the state. Many have been rearrested after release, some on additional felony charges. Many have failed to appear at court hearings.
Akshar, a Republican and former Broome County deputy sheriff who represents the senate’s 52nd District including Tioga and Broome counties, said he was “proud to stand with officials from across the state and demand justice for crime victims and law abiding citizens … One Party Rule’s catch and release bail reform continues to put criminals before victims and we must act now to fix it or repeal it.”
Friend, a Republican whose 124th Assembly District includes Tioga and Chemung counties, said “individuals who have previously been convicted of dangerous, violent crimes have been set free after new arrests … There have even been instances where an offender has been arrested for a crime, and subsequently released, three or four times in one day.”
No one from the Democratic majority in Albany, who all voted for the reforms, has responded to the recent rancor amid warnings from law enforcement or supported the legislation after its enactment in any statements to WEBO. Republicans and law enforcement have issued numerous news releases, video and audio statements in opposition to the reforms.
The rally on Tuesday in Albany pointed toward recent headlines of communities on alert as criminals are released without bail – many repeat, violent offenders – only to get arrested for new crimes shortly after their release.
That was the case of a MS-13 gang member who was arrested on felony charges after being pulled over in a stolen vehicle. He gave a fake name but because of the new law, he was released without bail. Upon his release, he stole a second vehicle from the Delaware County Public Safety Complex’s parking lot.
In Otsego County, a man was arrested days after being released on a burglary charge after sheriff’s deputies investigated a complaint of a stolen pickup truck. The man was rearrested and charged with multiple felonies for stealing the truck.
In Herkimer County, a Utica man led State Police on a high-speed, two-county chase in a pickup stolen in Rome. Despite crashing the vehicle, he continued across county lines on Route 5 into the city. He was charged with multiple counts, including possession and driving without a license, but released because of the state’s new bail law.
Assemblyman Brian Miller, a Republican from New Hartford, urged the public to remain vigilant. He said the law must first be repealed to allow law enforcement the opportunity to handle the current public safety crisis. Then, lawmakers must draft a new measure that allows judges to have greater discretion.
