Malliotakis, Local Officials Call on Governor & Mayor to Reverse Policies that Contribute to Increased Crime

Press Release

(STATEN ISLAND, NY) - Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) today joined local elected officials in highlighting the recent increase in crime in New York City, including a string of bank robberies on Staten Island. The group called for additional changes to Governor Cuomo's bail reform policy, the reinstatement of the NYPD's plainclothes unit, the full refunding of the department, and federal law enforcement intervention if the Mayor continues to tie the hands of the NYPD.

According to the most recent NYPD citywide data, the 28 day period ending May 16, murders increased by 67%, along with most other crimes, including robbery up by 54%, felony assault up 22%, grand larceny up 41%, car theft up 50%, rape up 25%, other sex crimes up 79%, misdemeanor assault up 28%, and hate crimes up 229%, compared to the same time last year. This past weekend alone, nearly 30 people were shot across New York City, including an eighteen-year-old boy who was fatally shot in the throat.

"We've been warning Mayor de Blasio and our colleagues on the City Council and in the State Assembly who have supported radical policies that we would become less safe as a result, and these numbers reflect that," said Congresswoman Malliotakis. "We are tired of the experimentation. We believe we need to roll back some of these policies that make us less safe, including Governor Cuomo's radical bail reform policy. There are still a number of crimes where we are seeing repeat offenses, including robberies, burglaries, criminal possession, and sale of firearms - these should be added to the list in which a judge can use discretion. Governor Cuomo should look at this and make additional changes, or better yet, repeal the law altogether. "

Malliotakis added: "The Governor's Parole Board also has a history of releasing cop killers, murderers, rapists, and other dangerous individuals back onto our streets. Making sure these individuals actually complete their sentences is one of the top changes that could impact public safety. We believe it's critically important that the city restore the NYPD's plainclothes unit - a key at taking illegal guns and drugs off our streets - and refund the department's budget in its entirety. Elected officials must support our law enforcement officers by giving them the tools and resources they need to do their jobs. If the Mayor and the City Council, the Governor and the State Legislature are not going to take action to keep our citizens safe, if they're going to continue to abdicate their responsibility to public safety, then I believe the feds need to send in the Department of Justice, the FBI, our drug enforcement and ATF to prosecute these individuals on the federal level."

"We're here today because public safety is paramount," said New York City Council Minority Leader Steven Matteo. "We're extremely concerned about the public safety in our borough and in our city. We have the greatest police force in the world and we have to support them and stop this ridiculous notion of defunding the NYPD. We cannot safely reopen our great city if we're not safe. We need to change the culture when it comes to public safety and make sure these bad laws are repealed."

"It's impossible to separate the issue of rising crime from the politics that brought us here," said Councilman Joe Borelli. "Voters have one chance to reject people - Democrats or Republicans - who stand for the progressive values that led to this rise in crime. Until we change the culture of who we're sending as our government representatives, we're still going to have rising crime."

"I'm one of the few elected officials in New York State and New York City who actually wore the uniform of a police officer - I actually worked in the anti-crime unit as a police officer, as a Sergeant, and as a Lieutenant," said Assemblyman Michael Reilly. "The anti-crime team was a major factor in getting guns off the street because they had a jump on the bad guy. Taking them away? We see the results. 30 shot across the city this weekend. Next time you hear someone say defund the police, what they're really funding is our loved one's funerals. It's time for us to take New York City back."

"I spent eight years prosecuting violent crimes, dealing with the worst of the worst, and working hand in hand with the NYPD to keep our streets safe," said Assemblyman Michael Tannousis. "I knew a blanket law like the Governor's bail reform policy would lead to an increase in crime. The actions led by the Democratic-led Assembly and this radical progressive movement that has overtaken the Assembly and City Council, has directly led to this increase in crimes. Enough is enough. We have to get our quality of life back before there are more victims."