Senator Gallivan Joins Lawmakers & Law Enforcement in Calling for Restoration of Public Safety Policies

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C, Elma) joined fellow legislators and law enforcement professionals from around the state in calling for an immediate restoration to public safety in New York.  The group gathered Tuesday at the State Capitol in Albany.

“As a former State Trooper and Sheriff of Erie County, I understand the many challenges facing law enforcement in its effort to keep our neighborhoods safe,” Senator Gallivan said. “With crime and victimization on the rise in many communities, it is clear that we need to fix the dangerous changes made to New York’s criminal justice system in recent years. Our laws should not favor offenders over law-abiding citizens and families. It is time to restore common sense criminal justice policies and ensure that law enforcement has the resources necessary to protect our communities and residents.” 

Some of the public safety challenges New York is facing include:

• A 46.7% increase in murders from 2019 to 2020;
• Overall index crime in New York City increased by 21.3% in November 2021, compared with November 2020;
• Hate crime rates in NYC increased 97% from November 2020 to November 2021; 
• Firearm related violent crime increased by 28.9% from 2019 to 2020 in New York outside of New York City; and
• According to the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, New York has the highest demand for domestic violence services in the country.

The Legislature Minority’s 2022 agenda to restore public safety includes:

• Protecting Those Who Protect Us:

  • Invest in law enforcement;
  • Provide them with the support they need to make our communities safe and serve those in need; and
  • Fight efforts to “Defund the Police.”

• Rejecting Dangerous “Reforms” like Cashless Bail:

  • End cashless bail, restore judicial discretion and reject proposals like “Clean Slate”;
  • Require state agencies to be transparent about the effects of public safety policies; and
  • Enact policies that get dangerous individuals off our streets.

• Reforming the Broken Parole System:

  • Re-center the Parole process around the protection and rights of crime victims and their families;
  • Ensure that cop-killers, serial killers, child killers, and other dangerous murderers can never be released; and
  • Reject dangerous Democrat proposals like “Elder Parole” and “Fair and Timely Parole.”

• Passing a Victims’ Justice Agenda:

  • Strengthen penalties for violent and repeat offenders, as well as hate crimes;
  • Create and support more victims’ services and resources; and
  • Invest in proven mental health, addiction, and homeless programs.

“The bail and discovery reforms enacted two years ago have led to record increases in crime in New York State.  Judges must have the ability to make decisions about remanding dangerous criminals to jail for the safety of the communities they serve.  We hope that the legislature will make common-sense changes during this legislative session.  Positive changes to the bail reform agenda are vital to the safety of every New Yorker,” said Chief Patrick Phelan, Executive Director, New York State Association of Chiefs of Police. 

-30-