Hawley, Norris speak out on bail reform at Albany rally
‘The reforms adopted last year are too extreme and an immediate repeal of these bail reform changes must be implemented.’ – Assemblyman Mike Norris
Provided photo: State Assemblyman Steve Hawley speaks at a rally on Tuesday in Albany with law enforcement and legislative colleagues. Assemblyman Mike Norris, back of Hawley at left, also joined the rally against the state’s new bail reform law.
ALBANY – Two local State Assembly members – Steve Hawley of Batavia and Michael Norris of Lockport – joined hundreds of law enforcement officers, district attorneys from around the state and lawmakers from the Senate and Assembly to call for a repeal of new bail laws that are causing a major statewide public safety outcry.
Just this week, a Brooklyn man who was arrested and subsequently released for suspected burglary was arrested again for brutally attacking and trying to rape a subway rider in Bay Ridge, Hawley said.
“Seemingly each day we have individuals who are arrested on violent crimes being released into society only to be arrested again after committing more heinous crimes, and that is appalling,” said Hawley, R-Batavia. “We are only about six weeks into new bail laws taking effect and the consequences have been frightening to say the least. I stand with law enforcement across the state in calling for a full repeal of bail reform so we can go back to the table and ensure the public and crime victims are protected first, rather than criminals.”
The Assembly Minority Conference is pushing Assembly Bill 8855, which calls for a full repeal of bail reform.
“New Yorkers from Buffalo to Long Island are wondering why their state government is allowing this to happen and I could not agree more,” Norris said. “That’s why I continue to speak out against this outrageous law which has gone way too far and is adversely impacting public safety within our state.”
Norris said people who are concerned about this issue can contact the governor’s office or sign a statewide petition calling for repeal. You can find the petition online by clicking here.
“It is time for the downstate driven majorities in the state Senate and Assembly and the governor to recognize that the reforms adopted last year are too extreme and an immediate repeal of these bail reform changes must be implemented so law enforcement and elected officials can come together in the meantime to discuss reasonable long-term modifications in a professional dialogue,” Norris said.
