Dear Editor,
I have been following with great interest the recent, multi-part Spotlight Newspaper series on “Diversionary Justice.” The latest entry in this set of comprehensive stories on the subject asks whether state criminal justice reforms are hurting programs meant to keep those struggling with addiction out of the criminal justice system and on the path to recovery.
The short and most obvious answer is yes.
For the long answer, we must rely on the Albany County District Attorney David Soares, who tells us that the bail and discovery laws of 2019 had the “greatest impact” on diversion programs. I commend the District Attorney for his candor on this subject.
It’s not often these days that elected officials stray from the party line. That adage is especially true when it comes to the issue of crime and public safety, and the Democratic Party in New York. The Albany County DA is one of the few Democrats unafraid to speak out against the reforms passed by the Democrat-controlled State Legislature the past several years.
In the County Legislature’s July committee meetings, he even took the opportunity to come before us to decry the failure of “Raise the Age” – one of those reforms which has increased violence among youth in our communities. He specifically asked my colleagues and I to rally behind his calls for changes to these reforms, and against the “pro-criminal” politicians in the State Capitol.
I wholeheartedly support DA Soares’ calls.That’s the goal of this letter.
It may not be within our control as County officials to fix the state’s broken criminal justice system. We can, however, listen to our local law enforcement experts, use our collective voices as County officials and everyday residents, and demand our state government restore public safety to New York.
It won’t be an easy thing to achieve, as the Democrat-controlled Legislature has made abundantly clear. But it is the right thing to do – regardless of your politics.
Sincerely,
Frank Mauriello
Minority Leader
Albany County Legislature
