As part of this year’s budget bill, the Legislature has passed a measure that will greatly reduce the number of arrested persons for whom judges may require bail. Taking effect in January 2020, the new legislation, as currently enacted, will have a significant negative impact on public safety.
The New York City Police Department favors responsible bail reform. There is no reason to hold non-violent minor offenders who pose no danger to public safety on cash bail of any amount. But any reform package should allow judges to remand arrested persons who represent a danger to others, as measured by the gravity of the offense for which they have been arrested and also by the gravity of offenses they have committed in the past.
Read more from NYPD Police Commissioner James O'Neill in the Daily News here.