The only republican candidate for the Governor’s race so far in New York came out swinging today by denouncing the State’s revised bail reform laws that were spearheaded by Democrats. Lee Zeldin cites an increase in crime and the recent killing of two New York City Police Officers since the laws became more lenient. Zeldin is critical of Governor Hochul for not standing behind Mayor Eric Adams’ call for a change in the laws. He also cited the local homicide case of retired teacher Connie Tuori at Skyline Apartments in Syracuse.
"...A discussion on victim impact when you’re talking about robbing a bank but, it’s very different than the story coming out of Syracuse from the infamous apartment complex with a woman in her 90’s who ends up being murdered.”
He says judges are now the one’s being hand-cuffed to the new laws; leaving them without the full powers of discretion they once had to keep people locked-up and the public safe. Zeldin also finds efforts to defund the police troubling.
“Not just in New York City. We’ve heard it in Ithaca. The defund the police movement isn’t just about money, it’s also about changes of policy like a domestic violence victim calling 911… people who support the defund police agenda are saying that ‘you shouldn’t be allowed to send law enforcement to that call and instead you should send a social worker.’ Well, in that violent, chaotic scene in that home you need a trained law enforcement officer there responding to that call.”
He thinks the state desperately needs more prison guards and police officers to address crime.
”We’re finding that too often crimes are going unpunished because law enforcement sets priorities with limited resources, bandwith, support of elected officials. Quite frankly, we just need more experienced and well trained law enforcement in New York State.”
Zeldin outlined his “Secure Our Streets plan” that includes setting state prison populations accordingly to crimes committed with stiffer penalties for repeat offenders. He also wants anyone who commits a crime using an illegal firearm locked up and is in favor of re-instating the practice of solitary confinement in prisons.
