It is time for New York to put law-abiding citizens first and protect our communities by repealing the dangerous bail reform law. Despite only being enacted on January 1, 2020, this law is already creating chaos throughout New York. Here are the highlights:

• Saratoga County- A man threatens a school shooting, is arrested only to be released hours after his arrest following arraignment.

• Albany County- A man who admitted to killing a woman is released from custody pending his criminal trial in her death.

• Albany County- A man who was charged with manslaughter in the death of a six-week-old baby is released pending his criminal trial.

• Monroe County- A man is released on bail pending his criminal trial for attempting to sell an undercover police officer deadly fentanyl in the midst of an opioid crisis killing thousands annually in our state. The same man previously shot a police officer in 2009.

• Rockland County- An undocumented immigrant who did not have a driver’s license, struck and killed a mother of three on Christmas Eve with his vehicle. He fled the scene of the accident, but was later arrested and admitted his involvement in the incident. Because of the new law, he was released pending his criminal trial.

These outrageous examples of injustice exemplify the need for reform of this law. Astonishingly, only 8 days into a New Year and new decade, New York is facing a tremendous crisis. I will continue to fight to repeal this measure, and call on New Yorkers to mount a public pressure campaign to do so.