Griffo joins with Senate & Assembly Republicans to unveil plan to create a safer New York

ALBANY - New York State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-C-Rome, members of law enforcement, victims’ advocates, and members of the Senate and Assembly Republican Conferences today unveiled a “Safer NY” legislative package to enhance public safety in the state.

In contrast with Albany One Party Rule’s disastrous pro-criminal “reforms,” these comprehensive policy solutions would support the brave members of law enforcement, fix the state’s broken criminal justice system, crack down on illegal gun crime and protect victims and innocent New Yorkers.

The plan includes:

Support For Law Enforcement

• Creating the SAFER Communities Grant Program to invest in critical investigatory and prosecutorial resources designed to increase case clearance rates for homicide and gun crimes;
• Repealing HALT to protect our corrections officers; and
• Allowing the use of familial DNA to give law enforcement more investigatory tools.

Fixing the State’s Broken Criminal Justice System

• Rolling back disastrous bail and discovery laws, and providing for judicial discretion to stop the revolving door in our criminal justice system;
• Opposing soft-on-crime policies being advanced by the Democratic Majorities, including the so-called “Clean Slate” Act, “Elder Parole,” and others; and
• Increasing penalties for habitual repeat offenders who commit crimes that harm New Yorkers’ quality of life.

Cracking Down on Illegal Gun Crime

• Reducing the use of illegal firearms with increased funding for gun interdiction efforts;
• Increasing penalties for crimes committed with stolen firearms, and mandatory consecutive sentencing for crimes involving illegal firearms; and
• Making any misdemeanor or felony offense involving an illegal firearm bail eligible, and amending Raise the Age to ensure 16- and 17-year-olds charged with certain gun or gang-related crimes are prosecuted as adults.

Protecting Victims and Innocent New Yorkers

• Restricting the release of identifying information in certain cases, and putting in place policies to protect victims’ rights during parole process;
• Increasing the caps on Office of Victim Services reimbursements for crime victims, and investing in victim support programs; and
• Authorizing judges to set lifetime orders of protection for certain crimes, such as violent and domestic violence felonies.

“While I recognize that there is a need for criminal justice reform, it is clear, as I have said since the beginning, that the hastily enacted changes made to the state’s criminal justice system by the legislative majorities and without input from all stakeholders are not working,” Sen. Griffo said. “These flawed policies have had a detrimental effect on New York’s communities and have resulted in rising crime, repeat offenders released back onto the streets because there are no repercussions for their actions and a prioritization of criminals over crime victims. Our plan offers a common sense and much-needed approach that will enhance and strengthen public safety and protect New Yorkers throughout the state.”

The package outlined today is the first in a series of comprehensive proposals that will be put forth by the Republican Conferences this session in order to reduce crime, strengthen public safety, and protect victims and innocent, law-abiding New Yorkers.

Earlier this month, Senate Republicans unveiled the "Rescue New York" 2023 Legislative Agenda, including the creation of a Safer New York. More information on this plan can be found here.

###