SENATOR WALCZYK RESPONDS TO HOCHUL'S INACTION ON ESCALATING YOUTH VIOLENCE
August 19, 2025
In light of the tragic increase in murders, attacks, and violence this summer, Senator Mark Walczyk is demanding accountability from Governor Kathy Hochul. The shocking barbarism in our streets cannot be ignored, yet the Governor's response has been delayed and insufficient.
“Governor Hochul wants to step up as a ‘leader’ only after blood has been shed in our communities. With a staggering 24% increase in youth crime, it seems she only reacts when the tragedies produce too many headlines to overlook,” Walczyk stated. “This is a pattern of negligence produces victims and endangers our children and families.”
This year alone has witnessed an uptick in crime that coincides with the disastrous implications of the “Raise the Age” (RTA) legislation. Since its enactment in 2018, arrests of youths with guns have skyrocketed by 136%, and juvenile shooting victims have soared by 81%. Tragically, the proportion of shooting victims in New York who are children has roughly doubled. The cycle of violence must end, and it starts with acknowledging that RTA is failing our youth.
As a cosponsor of Senator Griffo's Bill S.7076, aimed at amending the flawed “Raise the Age” law, Walczyk insists that it’s not merely reform that’s needed, but a fundamental overhaul that prioritizes public safety and accountability. “Young offenders are still able to escape meaningful consequences, contributing to a reckless culture of impunity,” he emphasized.
It’s significant to note that even NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, a Democrat under Mayor Eric Adams, has raised concerns about the RTA law, citing its “tragic unintended consequences” on crime. She has highlighted the concerning rise in youth arrests for gun-related offenses and noted that repeat offenders are escalating their violence, using the leniency of the current system to avoid real accountability. This bipartisan acknowledgment of the law's failures should galvanize action from our leadership.
It's unacceptable that policies designed to protect youth inadvertently shield them from accountability, while innocent lives hang in the balance. “The recent stabbing of Angel Mendoza is grim evidence of the consequences of our inaction. When they act without fear of punishment, evil prevails and everyone is at risk,” Walczyk stated firmly.
“It’s time to end the rhetoric and initiate decisive action. We have a responsibility to restore safety and security to our neighborhoods before more lives are lost," Senator Walczyk concluded. "Without genuine consequences, we not only fail our youth but jeopardize the very fabric of our society. The culture of violence must be dismantled now by passing Senator Griffo's repealer of key portions of the state's 'Raise the Age' law.”
“Governor Hochul wants to step up as a ‘leader’ only after blood has been shed in our communities. With a staggering 24% increase in youth crime, it seems she only reacts when the tragedies produce too many headlines to overlook,” Walczyk stated. “This is a pattern of negligence produces victims and endangers our children and families.”
This year alone has witnessed an uptick in crime that coincides with the disastrous implications of the “Raise the Age” (RTA) legislation. Since its enactment in 2018, arrests of youths with guns have skyrocketed by 136%, and juvenile shooting victims have soared by 81%. Tragically, the proportion of shooting victims in New York who are children has roughly doubled. The cycle of violence must end, and it starts with acknowledging that RTA is failing our youth.
As a cosponsor of Senator Griffo's Bill S.7076, aimed at amending the flawed “Raise the Age” law, Walczyk insists that it’s not merely reform that’s needed, but a fundamental overhaul that prioritizes public safety and accountability. “Young offenders are still able to escape meaningful consequences, contributing to a reckless culture of impunity,” he emphasized.
It’s significant to note that even NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, a Democrat under Mayor Eric Adams, has raised concerns about the RTA law, citing its “tragic unintended consequences” on crime. She has highlighted the concerning rise in youth arrests for gun-related offenses and noted that repeat offenders are escalating their violence, using the leniency of the current system to avoid real accountability. This bipartisan acknowledgment of the law's failures should galvanize action from our leadership.
It's unacceptable that policies designed to protect youth inadvertently shield them from accountability, while innocent lives hang in the balance. “The recent stabbing of Angel Mendoza is grim evidence of the consequences of our inaction. When they act without fear of punishment, evil prevails and everyone is at risk,” Walczyk stated firmly.
“It’s time to end the rhetoric and initiate decisive action. We have a responsibility to restore safety and security to our neighborhoods before more lives are lost," Senator Walczyk concluded. "Without genuine consequences, we not only fail our youth but jeopardize the very fabric of our society. The culture of violence must be dismantled now by passing Senator Griffo's repealer of key portions of the state's 'Raise the Age' law.”