HUDSON VALLEY – The bail reforms signed into law by former Governor Andrew Cuomo continue to be criticized for allowing criminals to continue unlawful behavior. In the Hudson Valley, several examples of bail reform failures have been publicized by Mid-Hudson News.
Assistant Fire Chief Billy Steinberg died while fighting a Sullivan County fire earlier this year. The fire was set, allegedly by a serial arsonist who had been arrested just days before on arson charges but set free with an appearance ticket. (The initial report can be found here.)
In Dutchess County, two men were repeatedly arrested for stealing cars in the City and Town of Poughkeepsie in December of 2021 and into 2022. Some of the crimes occurred within 24 hours of the men being released for the same crimes.
Law enforcement and some state officials have been calling for changes. State Senator Sue Serino (R-Hyde Park) has repeatedly called for changes. “No one here today believes that any New Yorker should be held behind bars simply because of an inability to pay, but all of us believe that ensuring public safety and protecting the most vulnerable among us, is a fundamental function of government—a function the state is absolutely failing to perform,” she said. “To not consider dangerousness is irresponsible and negligent, and it is time to reverse this policy.”
Saugerties Police Chief Joseph Sinagra, president of the Hudson Valley Police Chief Association, has been monitoring the numerous incidents of repeat offenders set free under bail reform. “In my opinion, bail reform was an experiment gone bad. As a law enforcement officer, I totally agree that it was time for reform in our then, bail system. However, to take reform to the extreme that our lawmakers in Albany did only jeopardized public safety and failed to address the issue at hand.”
Sinagra, a veteran of law enforcement, pointed out a major flaw of bail reform, especially in crimes regarding repeat domestic violence offenders. “How absurd it is in the 21st century, that a judge is not permitted to consider the dangerousness of an individual to the community for the purpose of setting bail? Criminals are no longer being held accountable and innocent people are paying the price for an experiment gone wrong.”
Poughkeepsie City Police Captain Rich Wilson previously told Mid-Hudson News about his perception of bail reform. “The intent of bail reform has led to defendants exploiting flaws in the system that allow them to continue committing crimes without fear of repercussion.” He said some people “continue to commit felonies knowing that they will only be given an appearance ticket and that is placing a tremendous burden on our ability to keep the community safe.”
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and Acting Sheriff Kirk Imperati will be speaking against the current reforms in the upcoming week. The men are hoping to convince Governor Hochul to reassess the current laws and make necessary changes.
