On July 10, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I,Ref-Medford) joined the Assembly Minority Conference and law enforcement officials on a Zoom press conference call to encourage state leaders to tackle the recent increase in violent incidents happening across the state. The Assembly Minority Conference thanks the following law enforcement officials for speaking on the press conference call: Sheriff Jeffrey J. Murphy, Washington County, NYS Sheriff’s Association President; Chief Patrick D. Phelan, Town of Greece, NYS Association of Chiefs of Police President; Mary Pat Donnelly, Rensselaer County District Attorney; Sheriff Richard Giardino, Fulton County.

“The number of shootings across our state has skyrocketed. The acts of violence we hear about on the news each day are deplorable,” said DeStefano. “I’m honored to stand with our men and women in blue to call on our state leaders to do better. The public safety of all New Yorkers should be our number one priority. When session resumes in two weeks, I hope the Assembly will pass bills that prioritize the safety of our family and friends over dangerous criminals. Time and again, progressive Majority politicians continue to show us where their true priorities lie, and it’s not with the law-abiding citizens of New York. With more lenient bail reform laws, it’s no wonder our state has seen such a drastic increase in violent incidents.”