At least some Albany Dems are willing to look New York’s ugly crime reality in the face — and take the actions the public has demanded to fight it.
Two new bills aim to give law enforcement and courts some tools to fight crime that has surged across the state in the wake of left-wing criminal justice “reforms.”
One, from state Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D-SI) and Assemblyman Manny de los Santos (D-Manhattan), would make assaulting retail workers a Class D felony — like bodega workers, often victimized by thugs — and thereby make the offense bailable.
That is, give them the same protections as police, firefighters, and MTA workers, as well as livery drivers and utility workers.
Sen. Another similar proposal by Kevin Thomas (D-LI) and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-BX.) would increase the maximum prison sentences if committed within two years of a previous conviction. -with) would make petty theft a crime. first time offender).
Given that a large portion of the crime is committed by recidivists — as De Los Santos noted in his post op-ed — with only 327 offenders accounting for 30% of New York’s 22,000 retail theft arrests in 2022, This proposal is long overdue.
These plans are strongly supported by Collective Action to Protect Our Stores, an advocacy group that speaks for retail workers.
Those workers are marginalized and ignored by crime-mongers, who prefer to crack down on crooks in the name of “equity” instead of making sure that cashiers and mom-and-pop owners are safe. Gotham has seen an overall increase in crime of 22%. .
But even these bills will face a tough time to make it to the floor. Legislature leaders are dead set against serious changes to their criminal code, even resisting Gov. Cathy Hochul’s modest proposal to clarify the no-bail law so judges don’t think they’re eligible for bail. They are forced to avoid giving orders even if the law clearly allows it.
It’s still a sign of hope: If enough Democratic lawmakers start demanding action on crime, the leadership will have to buckle — or face a well-deserved revolt.
