By Will Barclay
It’s been another banner week for New York’s bail reform, as high-profile criminal cases on opposite sides of the state highlight how Democrats’ misguided 2019 “reforms” continue to undermine public safety and the ability of law enforcement professionals to do their jobs.
In Monroe County, a suspect was arrested for attempted kidnapping and attempted sex abuse after a horrifying incident at St. John Fisher University, where a female victim was held at knifepoint. While out on bail, the same suspect was charged with stalking from multiple prior incidents. Incredibly, he is currently out on the street because New York remains the only state that does not allow judges to consider a dangerousness standard when assessing the release of a criminal suspect, pre-trial.
In Suffolk County, four suspects were charged with hindering prosecution, tampering with evidence, and concealing a human corpse during a gruesome case involving human body parts found in a wooded area near an elementary school. All four individuals were released with an appearance ticket because – thanks to Democrats – those crimes are not bail-eligible. Suffolk County officials rightfully pointed to the recklessness of the 2019 laws and the urgent need for public safety measures out of Albany.
These incidents come on the heels of a recent John Jay College of Criminal Justice report that confirms what all common-sense New Yorkers have known for years – bail reform puts our citizens at risk and continues to make our communities less safe.
Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) is the Assembly Minority Leader.