New York City Councilman James Gennaro was highly critical of Governor Kathy Hochul and the state Legislature in Albany for failing to address his public safety concerns during Thursday’s special session.
Gennaro had previously called for the state to consider allowing judges to be allowed to remand defendants based on the potential threat they pose to the public.
While Gennaro was pleased that the special session was working to address the Supreme Court’s recent decision on concealed carry in the state, he was disappointed that they didn’t look into setting up a “dangerousness standard” for criminals released and committing repeat violent crimes while awaiting trial. According to Gennaro, New York is the only state in the country that does not have a dangerousness standard.
“The New York State Association of Chiefs of Police have pleaded Albany for a dangerousness standard,” Gennaro said. “Mayor Eric Adams has pleaded for it as well. The skyrocketing statewide crime stats and the parents of slain children bear the most compelling witness to the need for a dangerousness standard. True leadership isn’t about doing what is easy and popular — it is about doing everything you can to protect the people.”
As she called for this special session, Governor Hochul stated she said that she had a moral responsibility to protect the people of New York. By not attempting to get a dangerousness standard passed, she has not met that responsibility in the eyes of Gennaro.
Gennaro had previously expressed this criticism of Governor Hochul and the state Legislature during a press conference on June 13. He felt that Albany’s failure to address public safety concerns has played a big role in the rising crime rate not just in New York City, but across the state.
Another criticism he had during that press conference was that the criminal records for underage individuals are sealed. He believes this leads to many would-be repeat offenders showing up as first-time offenders, giving some a better opportunity in being allowed back on the streets.
