On Wednesday, February 26, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch severely criticized the lenient attitudes of local prosecutors and the statewide Albany towards criminals, as well as the “catch and release” bail reform law in New York, often referred to as a “revolving door.” She expressed that the presence of habitual offenders in the city is “intolerable,” pointing out a violent criminal with a record of 70 arrests who attempted to rape a woman on a subway line.
Tisch made these remarks at a breakfast meeting of the Association for a Better New York (ABNY). She stated unequivocally, “Our crime problem has not surged dramatically, but our recidivism problem has.”
Although the numbers of home burglaries, shoplifting, and major thefts in New York City in 2024 seem to be on the rise compared to 2018, through police analysis, they found that the number of repeat offenders committing more than 3 crimes in a year has seen an “unacceptable” increase.
“One of the reasons is the change in New York state laws in 2020, turning our criminal justice system into a high-speed revolving door, allowing violent habitual criminals to return to the streets time after time.” Tisch said, “Our police officers are out there doing their duty, and in 2024 they arrested the most repeat offenders in 26 years, but before they even finish the paperwork, the criminals are back in the community.”
Tisch criticized, “This is frustrating, unsustainable, and goes against common sense.”
“The consequences of the 2020 bail reform have had unexpected outcomes, endangering the safety of New Yorkers, and these consequences must be addressed,” she said, using several criminal cases as examples to criticize local prosecutors in New York City for not fulfilling their responsibilities. She also informed the public that she is working to address these issues, stating, “I have had individual meetings with many of our officials on this issue, and these productive discussions will continue so that we can pave a safer path forward.”
Tisch mentioned several criminal cases handled by Manhattan District Attorney Bai E-Rong at the meeting. Without naming names, she questioned the prosecutor, “What are you doing here? How does not prosecuting violent offenders serve justice?”
“When I say ‘enough,’ I speak for nearly every NYPD officer and ordinary New Yorker,” said the newly appointed and highly praised female commissioner, “Criminals in New York City, including violent offenders, continue to be indulged, while the people of this city suffer as a result.” ◇