| November 21, 2023
To Our New York State Leaders, Under the guidance of the Consortium for Safe Communities, we, the undersigned, urgently call upon you to address the public safety crisis that currently plagues New York State. We are deeply concerned about the conditions on our streets and within courtrooms that empower criminals to commit violence and re-offend without consequence. This situation not only disheartens law-abiding citizens but also further victimizes those who have already suffered from crime. Each day, our community's apprehension intensifies as they tune in to the evening news, witnessing a relentless cycle of reports on shootings, murders, recovered weapons, and drug-related incidents. The fear for personal safety and property is compounded by the escalating rates of stolen vehicles. Businesses are facing substantial losses in product, profits, property, increased insurance costs, injuries, and fearful personnel. Governments are witnessing significant declines in sales tax revenues due to theft. With a shortage of police officers on our streets, law enforcement agencies are struggling, resulting in adverse effects for all. The most vulnerable communities bear the heaviest burden of theft as prices rise and stores vanish from our neighborhoods. New York State finds itself in an unsustainable and untenable situation. We, the undersigned, representing taxpayers, voters, residents, business owners, elected officials, members of law enforcement, religious leaders, community advocates, students, military veterans, retired persons, educators, and union members share a common goal: to bring about immediate and long-term positive change for the citizens of Greater Rochester and the whole of New York State. The unintended and violent consequences of well-intentioned but flawed criminal justice reforms implemented since 2018, particularly bail reform, have reached unprecedented levels. We respectfully urge you to prioritize the following initiatives: 1. Risk of Public Safety Standard. New York State is the only state in the nation that does not empower judges to detain individuals when they pose a threat to the community, and release them once the danger is mitigated. We ask that this be remedied.
2. Introduce a "Repeat Offender Standard" to ensure public safety by immediately detaining individuals re-arrested while out on appearance tickets or their own recognizance; subject to judicial review within 144 hours (160 on weekends). This status would apply to A-misdemeanors and above, without differentiation between qualifying and non-qualifying offenses.
3. Review and draft "Clean Law" to uphold the positive intentions of bail reform while safeguarding constituents from individuals who persist in criminal activities. The law should be easily understood by the entire community and those directly involved, including judges, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, victims, and defendants.
4. Opposition for Elder Parole Legislation – currently in committees in both houses, this legislation would provide for convicted criminals to be considered for parole, regardless of the sentence handed down by a judge based upon their age. This concept is dangerous, arbitrary, and re-victimizes. We appreciate your thoughtful consideration. In the near future, we will be formally asking you to indicate your position on the above initiatives. |
