July 10, 2020
Statement From Assemblyman Phil Palmesano: “As shootings and violent crime rates continue to skyrocket in cities across the state, I am proud to join our Assembly Republican Conference to pledge our support to the brave law enforcement officials who protect our families and our communities every day.”
Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) and members of the Minority Conference today joined law and order professionals demanding state leaders reverse dangerous policies that have continuously compromised public safety and undermined the ability of law enforcement agencies to do their jobs as violent, and often deadly, incidents increase across New York state.
The Conference reinforced its call for a reversal on new laws eliminating bail in most arrests, reestablishing judicial review and halting policies that return criminals to the streets rather than taking the necessary steps to protect them from COVID.
“Sadly, we have approached the moment in time we warned against when calls for disastrous bail reforms first started. Pro-criminal directives and an erosion of law and order have made our communities more dangerous,” said Leader Barclay. “In one week there were 101 shooting victims in New York City. In Syracuse, a man was charged with attempted murder for shooting at another man and an 11-month-old child outside a store. In a matter of 72 hours, 13 people were shot and another was stabbed in Rochester. The list is long; the list is horrifying. The pendulum has swung too far to the side of the criminals and innocent victims are paying the price. We cannot continue along this path.”
In the wake of criminal justice reforms that have weakened criminal penalties and judicial authority, and anti-police measures advanced by liberal politicians, regions across New York state have experienced a dangerous rise in crime, with gun violence reaching alarming levels in many cities. For example, year-to-date totals compared to 2019 reported by respective agencies include:
● In Albany, homicides have increased by 800 percent, shootings are up 379 percent;
● In Buffalo, homicides have increased by 88 percent, shootings are up 54 percent;
● In New York City, homicides have increased by 27 percent, shootings are up 63 percent;
● In Rochester, shooting-related homicides have increased by 40 percent, shooting incidents are up 46 percent; and
● In Syracuse, homicides have increased by 27 percent, burglaries are up 31 percent.