Griffo statement regarding criminal circumvention of bail reform

ALBANY - New York State Senate Deputy Minority Leader Joseph Griffo, R-I-C-Rome, issued the following statement today regarding Senate Bill S7723, which would penalize law enforcement officials who tried to circumvent the flawed bail reform law that went into effect at the beginning of the year. 

Thanks to the pressure applied by the Senate Republican Conference and its leadership, this bill has been withdrawn from consideration.

Deputy Minority Leader Griffo’s statement is below:

“My colleagues and I in the Senate Republican Conference understand the ongoing concerns that the public and law enforcement officials have regarding New York’s bail reform laws. I have been a vocal opponent of this and other so-called criminal justice ‘reforms’ enacted in the last year.

While we continue to face resistance to common sense changes to these laws in an effort to make our communities safer, I am pleased to announce that we have been successful in pushing back against a Senate majority bill, which would have made it a crime for law enforcement officials to attempt to circumvent the bail reform law. Due to our leadership’s strong opposition, this legislation, intended to make criminals of those whose job it is to keep us safe, is in the process of being withdrawn from consideration in the Senate. This bill demonstrates how tone-deaf members of the current majority are to the concerns of law enforcement and the communities they serve, and I am glad that we were able to halt its movement.”

Senate leadership released the following statement Tuesday regarding the introduction of S7723:

“New York State Senate Democrats meant it when they vowed to take dangerous bail reform further, and continue to put criminals first and public safety last. 
 
Today, Senate Democrats forgot who the criminals are by introducing legislation to criminalize prosecutors, law enforcement officers, or any other officials responsible for public safety as their bail reform law releases killers, pedophiles, and serial offenders on a daily basis. 
 
The new Democrat effort (S.7723) to create the so-called crime “circumvention of bail reform,” continues to demonize those who dedicate their lives to protect and serve the public and to advance the pro-criminal agenda in New York State.
 
It is offensive and must be condemned.
 
This comes on the heels of the attempted assassinations of NYPD officers, and a public plea from NYPD Police Commissioner Shea to stop the anti-police rhetoric. This is simply a continuation.
 
In Brooklyn, at least 40 employees have already resigned from the District Attorney’s Office because of the onerous requirements created by so-called criminal justice reforms.
 
Everyday New Yorkers are demanding that these laws be repealed, and the Senate Republican Conference stands with them and law enforcement, prosecutors, and crime victims -- not criminals.”

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