The debate over new bail reform measures in New York continues this week, with Onondaga County lawmakers approving a resolution asking for the state to roll back parts of the controversial law, which is only 35 days old.
Before taking a vote, supporters of the reform, which eliminates bail for most misdemeanor and non-violent felonies, marched up to the microphone in the Onondaga County Legislature chambers, urging lawmakers to vote against this resolution.
"Call it a resolution for the continued detention of poor people and people of color in the community," said Marsha Weissman of Syracuse.
Assistant District Attorney Rick Trunfio was the only person defending it at the meeting, suggesting supporters of reform aren’t considering crime victims.
"We have people of color every day, come into our office and say 'Please make our communities safe. Get the bad guys off the street. They’re ripping the fabric of our neighborhoods'," said Trunfio.
In the end, a Republican majority prevailed, with lawmakers voting to ask the state to go back and make what legislature Chairman Dave Knapp called "common sense modifications."
"We just think they went too far with this blanket approach of removing this incredible list of offenses that could even have a consideration of bail," Knapp said.
Democrats disagreed. Public Safety Chair Chris Ryan suggested there are a "whole lot of stories, but no facts" about the impact of a law that’s been in place for just over a month.
"Without evidence to back up such assertions, is wrong," Ryan said. "I think we should send it back to public safety, this committee and this legislature should be doing its due diligence."
