Stephen M. Saland's posts related to Crime

by Senator Steve Saland

At the risk of dating myself, I am borrowing a phrase from Sergeant Joe Friday of the old television series, Dragnet: “All we know are the facts, Ma’am”.*

In an action hailed by law enforcement throughout our State as the single most effective crime fighting tool, I sponsored a law in collaboration with Governor Andrew Cuomo that just expanded DNA databank collection in New York State to include all felonies and all penal law misdemeanors.

Despite the overwhelming and convincing evidence that DNA collection leads to greater justice delivered in convicting the guilty and exonerating the innocent, there are those who object to the expansion.

The New York State Senate today passed legislation that would increase penalties for criminals who attempt robberies with devices appearing to be bombs or explosives. The bill (S. 720A) was developed in collaboration with law enforcement. It would elevate the criminal charge from third degree to first or second degree robbery.

“Three Strikes and You’re In”

The New York State Senate today passed legislation that would keep the most dangerous, violent, repeat criminals behind bars and out of our communities.

The bill (S.1539) requires persistent violent felony offenders be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. This bill recognizes that persistent violent offenders are most likely to commit violent crimes again and would ensure that violent, recidivist criminals are permanently prevented from posing a danger to society.

Measures Increase Penalties, Enhance Community Notification and Protection

The New York State Senate today passed a package of eight bills to prevent sexual predators from obtaining access to potential victims and help law enforcement and communities keep track of their whereabouts. The bills will help increase the amount of information available about convicted sex offenders and seeks to prevent them from obtaining access to vulnerable individuals.