Governor Dismisses Refusal to Lock Up Alleged Criminals in Crime-Ridden State
(UnitedVoice.com) – In 2019, New York adopted a law that eliminated cash bonds for nearly all misdemeanors and some nonviolent felony offenses. Proponents of the legislation argued people shouldn’t remain incarcerated before a court finds them guilty simply because they couldn’t afford the bail a judge granted. The change to the laws caused outrage among some prosecutors, police officers, Conservatives, and even a few moderate Democrats. Three years later, crime rates are up in some parts of the state.
Republican nominee for governor, Rep. Lee Zeldin, has been an outspoken critic of the cashless bond system. He believes it’s contributing to the increased crime rates. In a recent gubernatorial debate, the congressman demanded answers from his opponent, Governor Kathy Hochul (D).
Heated Debate
During the gubernatorial debate on October 25, Zeldin called out Hochul about the cashless bond system. He said the two candidates were “halfway through the debate, and [the governor] still hasn’t talked about locking up anyone committing any crimes.”
Hochul responded, saying that people who have committed crimes in the state still receive punishments. Then she said, “I don’t know why that’s so important to you.” She specifically mentioned changes she had forced through to tighten the state’s bail reform laws.
Zeldin: "This governor still has not talked about locking people committing any crimes."
Hochul: "I don't know why that's so important to you." pic.twitter.com/bczrTZTn3E
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) October 25, 2022
The governor attacked the Republican, saying he doesn’t care about crimes when assailants use guns. She accused him of not even attending a vote in the US Congress, where legislators were attempting to enact a ban on so-called assault weapons. Zeldin wasn’t having any of that. He told the audience that people are “afraid of being pushed in front of oncoming subway cars. They’re being stabbed, beaten to death on the street with hammers,” and hurt in other ways.
Crime in New York
The state’s crime rate has actually touched Zeldin personally. Earlier this year, a man attacked him while attending an event in Rochester. The court released the suspect in the case from jail without any bond after the assault. Although authorities later identified the man as a veteran undergoing a mental health crisis, the case brought the issue of cashless bonds to the forefront of the conversation.
In early October, Zeldin was out with his wife when gunfire erupted outside his home, where his twin daughters were working on homework. Assailants shot two teenage boys outside the home, and authorities found one of them lying in the congressman’s bushes.
Hochul wanted to know why Zeldin cares, but do you think she doesn’t care enough?
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