The Backwards Approach to Crime in New York

Press Release

Crime in New York City continues to spiral further and further out of control, and so-called "leaders" in Albany and New York City refuse to pursue any corrective action or change in policy that would actually reverse this dangerous trend. The New York City Police Department's (NYPD) monthly crime statistics show a more than 30 percent increase in overall crime in June 2022 compared to June 2021. This crime included robberies up 31.6 percent, a 17.3 percent rise in felony assaults, and grand larcenies skyrocketing by 41 percent. The crisis of rampant crime on the city's subway system also continued with transit crime rising by nearly 41 percent. While citywide chaos ensues, electeds from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to Governor Kathy Hochul are contributing to the problem through a soft-on-crime approach that is emboldening criminals and instilling fear in law-abiding citizens.

Some might argue that safety issues within the confines of New York City don't affect Long Islanders. However, those who commute from our communities into the city or simply want to make the trip on the weekend to catch a baseball game, go to a concert, or visit friends and family now must contend with whether or not the trip is worth risking their safety. The crime surge, along with the unaffordable cost of living, risk making our state's nation-leading population loss even worse.

Both a cause and symptom of the New York City crime crisis is the feeling that our state's far-left bail laws, prosecutors like Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg refusing to enforce the law, and politicians turning their back on law enforcement have created an environment where the handcuffs are being placed on the justice system and law-abiding citizens, instead of criminals.

Two recent incidents perfectly illustrate the rightful fears and frustrations of law-abiding New Yorkers. On July 1, Jose Alba, a bodega worker in Harlem, was attacked in his store by an assailant with a record of violent crimes. Alba acted in self-defense while also being stabbed by his attacker's girlfriend. A murder charge was then shamefully slapped on Alba by the Manhattan DA who then sent Alba off to Rikers Island with an open stab wound that would later get infected. Bragg also demanded that bail be set on Alba for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Meanwhile, the woman who stabbed Alba was not charged at all.

The tails of injustice in New York get even worse. On July 11, two Mexican cartel drug smugglers got caught with $1.2 million worth of crystal meth. Most reasonable people would expect these two to be headed to prison for a very long time. Wrong! Thanks to the state's pro-criminal cashless bail laws, the pair was instantly released and back out on the street.

Law-abiding New Yorkers deserve peace of mind as they go about their daily lives, but that feels nearly impossible with these backwards laws, policies and politicians stacked against them in favor of criminals. There's a million reasons for Kathy Hochul to use her constitutional authority to remove Alvin Bragg as Manhattan DA, but she continues to have his back at the expense of the rule of law, our justice system and New Yorkers' safety.

There is a long way to go to turn around this epidemic of crime in New York, but it starts with supporting our men and women in law enforcement, firing Alvin Bragg, and repealing cashless bail.

Congressman Lee Zeldin represents New York's First Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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