Albany lawmakers concluded their duties for the year on Wednesday, and it appears that New Yorkers may experience a decrease in safety compared to the beginning of the year. Although the impact may not be drastic, the damage was done four years ago when progressive Democrats took control of Albany and attempted to weaken New York’s penal law. This resulted in the implementation of “bail reform” and subsequently led to a significant increase in crime rates across the board. Unfortunately, Albany has now taken matters a step further by passing bills that will effectively erase countless criminal records and potentially overturn numerous convictions, all while overwhelming the state’s courts with frivolous appeals.
Consider this as a continuous trend: 2023 was a year where further damage was done to New York’s criminal justice system, fine-tuning the structural harm from previous years. Brace yourself for an even worse situation next year. The consequences of this year’s initiatives, such as the “Clean Slate” bill that eradicates criminal records and the dubious “Wrongful Conviction” bill giving inmates a chance for a second trial, will indeed be real, albeit subtle. Making connections between street crime incidents is challenging. However, one cannot deny that releasing more criminals onto the streets, thanks to “bail reform,” undoubtedly leads to an increase in street crime. While the recent stabbing incident in Washington Square Park may or may not be directly linked to the beneficiaries of “bail reform,” it is evident that New York lawmakers have embraced a pro-criminal mindset. The significant rise in crime since 2019 and the prevalence of random knife attacks in the city are not mere coincidences, especially with summer just beginning.
Now, here’s the issue: Justice cannot prevail if there is no meaningful punishment for breaking the law. It is inherent in human nature that criminals will thrive, victims will suffer, and societal restraints will deteriorate. Are individuals like Daniel Penny, known as the “F-train vigilante,” and Jordan Williams, who defended themselves against an attacker on the J-train last month, exceptions to the norm, or are they the signs of a worrisome trend? What has become glaringly evident since 2019 is that Albany’s progressive politicians have chosen their side in matters of public safety: criminals are seen as a constituency, and their actions reflect this viewpoint. This not only sends harmful messages but also perpetuates them. It sends a clear message to every neighborhood in New York, a city with a majority-minority population, that they are on their own. Simply being hard-working, law-abiding citizens is no longer sufficient, as the progressive politicians align themselves with the criminals.
Practically speaking, the new norm poses a potential dilemma for the NYPD, particularly street cops. Why bother making a legitimate arrest when offenders will simply be released without consequences or, at best, with a minimal penalty? Furthermore, any interaction with criminals carries the risk of being caught on video and facing severe professional consequences or worse. It’s no wonder that police officers congregate in subway stairwells. Governor Hochul must prioritize her responsibilities away from her husband’s business ventures and veto these two new bills. The progressives may reintroduce them in January or even sooner, but sometimes, governors must do what is necessary. Unfortunately, in Albany, this seems unlikely. Feel free to reach out to [email protected].
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