BRENTWOOD, NY - NYS Senator Dean Murray, NYS Senator Rob Rolison, NYS Senator Mario Mattera, and NYS Senator Steve Rhoads with Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney; Deputy Bureau Chief Daryl Levy, Nassau County District Attorney Major Offense Bureau; Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina; Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder; Charles (CJ) Hutter, Treasurer, Suffolk County PBA; Frank Arcuri, 2nd Vice President, Nassau County PBA alongside representatives from Victims Support Organizations like The Crime Victims Center, Laura Ahearn, Executive Director and L.I. Against Domestic Violence, Wendy Linsalata, Executive Director and multiple crime victims and their loved ones led an interagency Crime Victims Roundtable on Monday, bringing together lawmakers, advocates, service providers, and law enforcement for a powerful, solutions-driven discussion. The forum provided an important opportunity to examine gaps within the current system, elevate the voices of those directly impacted by crime, and advance meaningful policy reform. This roundtable marks the first in a series to be held across New York State, all aimed at developing stronger legislation that ensures all victims receive the rights, support, and respect they deserve.

“Hosting this roundtable was an important step toward bringing victims and survivors back to the center of the conversation, which is where they belong. New York's pro-criminal policies have left crime victims... those who have suffered the most, to feel invisible and forgotten. We owe it to them to listen to their stories and learn where we, as lawmakers, can make meaningful changes to our laws. It is imperative that we find real, lasting ways to support crime victims and survivors through legislation, advocacy, and every level of our public safety system. Their voices must be heard and should guide our work moving forward,” stated NYS Senator Dean Murray, 3rd Senate District. 

“This roundtable was a valuable chance to hear directly from crime victims, law-enforcement professionals, and community members about the challenges they face. Their candid testimony underscores what New York must do to make our state safer. As Ranking Member of the Crime Victims, Crime, and Correction Committee — and as a former law-enforcement officer — I take these conversations seriously. The insights shared today will directly guide my work this upcoming legislative session as I push for common-sense policies that support victims and strengthen public safety across our state,” stated NYS Senator Robert Rolison, 39th Senate District. 

“Our law enforcement professionals are always there when victims need them, but the state system is failing these residents after the police do their jobs. I truly appreciate the efforts of Senator Dean Murray to make sure their voices are heard and urge New York State leaders, who often put the needs of the criminals above the victims, to listen to the victims and their families before they add more insult to injury. Victims’ rights must be the priority of any criminal justice reforms,” stated NYS Senator Mario R. Mattera, 2nd Senate District. 

“As a long-time advocate for crime victims, I know how critical it is that their voices guide our work. The stories and experiences shared at the Roundtable underscore the simple truth that our criminal justice system has been sabotaged by laws passed in Albany designed to weaken the ability of the courts and law enforcement to protect the innocent and hold the guilty accountable for their actions. The end result is less safety, more victims and the belief that government is no longer capable of protecting its citizens. That is unacceptable. There is an urgent need to strengthen the supports and protections that victims, and society as a whole, rely upon. By bringing together lawmakers, law enforcement, and victim-service organizations, we are reaffirming a simple but essential principle: we are putting public safety first. I am committed to advancing real, meaningful reforms that ensure every victim in New York is heard, respected, and protected and that we can achieve a system where both victims and the accused get the justice both deserve,” stated NYS Senator Rhoads, 5 th Senate District.

“I commend Senators Murray and Rolison and the minority conference for hosting this Crime Victims Roundtable. Too often, advocacy groups push legislation in Albany to benefit criminals who have committed heinous crimes, rather than thinking of and hearing from victims and their families how these crimes have forever changed their lives. I was honored to participate and thank you for giving these crime victims a voice,” stated Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. 

“Victims are becoming tired of just being heard. It’s time to start listening to them, really listening. Change will never truly happen until there is an actual understanding of what these people go through every second of every day of their lives after being victimized. Once their voices are heard, it will be clear that all they are looking for is common sense changes to the law so that they don’t feel forgotten and glossed over. It’s the simplest thing that can be done for those whose lives were changed forever,” stated Deputy Bureau Chief Daryl Levy, Nassau County District Attorney’s Office Major Offense Bureau. 

“Our job is not only to keep Suffolk County residents safe, but also to ensure that the people of Suffolk feel safe. I commend Senator Murray for hosting this Crime Victims roundtable discussion and bringing together agencies from across Long Island to address the needs of crime victims with the goal of strengthening the protections they deserve,” stated Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina. 

“It was a pleasure to be part of a distinguished group of Politicians and Law Enforcement, but the most important people that took part in the round table are our Victims! Since the Justice Reform Bill in January 2000, our victims have lost their voice at the table. With the changes in Cashless Bail, Raise the Age and Discovery, the judicial system has failed our victims. We have given more rights to the criminals and taken from the Victims and the Police. I hope today is the start of our victims reclaiming their voices and should be heard,” stated Nassau County Police Commissioner Pat Ryder. 

“Raising awareness is the first step toward real solutions. Legislators should be focused on protecting our communities and preventing victimization, not shielding criminals, which has led to more victims since Bail Reform and Raise the Age. Thank you to Senator Murray and the committee for continuing to put victims’ rights first,” stated CJ Hutter, Treasurer of the Suffolk County PBA. 

"The Crime Victims Center commends Senator Murray and Senator Rolison for convening the State Crime Victims Roundtable. By bringing together advocates, law enforcement, district attorneys, and lawmakers, this forum provides a vital opportunity to examine where our laws must be strengthened to better protect victims and survivors. The Senators’ commitment to listening, learning, and advancing meaningful reforms reflects true leadership and ensures that the systems so many depend on during their most vulnerable moments are continually improved," stated Laura Ahearn, Esq., LMSW, Executive Director of The Crime Victims Center of Suffolk and Nassau. 

“L.I. Against Domestic Violence extends our sincerest thanks to Senator Murray for organizing this event and including us in the discussion. The roundtable afforded us the opportunity to speak in regard to legislative issues that impact the safety and well-being of survivors of intimate partner violence and, come together to formulate possible remedies that will bridge gaps within the system,” stated Wendy Linsalata, Executive Director L.I. Against Domestic Violence. 

“Due to the lack of coordinated communication between law enforcement and the hospital, my family learned of my son’s homicide through secondary sources. New York needs trained victim liaisons staffed in every precinct to ensure families receive immediate communication and support during the worst moments of their lives,” stated Theresa Bliss, Family Member of a Crime Victim. 

“Something like this is so important for our voices to be heard, because I cannot tell you how often we feel our voices have not been heard. My son, Andrew was hiking with his boy scout troop and his father, when a drunk driver plowed through. When we sat in the courtroom we felt like we were sucker-punched. It felt like the system was built for everyone except the victims. We were given a life sentence without our son, but that is not how vehicular crime is looked at. I have walked the halls of Albany, and everyone is really sympathetic, but then there is nothing next. We need people in Albany, the people in the legislature to take the next step. I’m really tired of hearing the explanations, all they sound like are excuses because our choices have consequences,” stated Alisa McMorris, Family Member of a Crime Victim, Founder of the Andrew McMorris Foundation.