State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, known for her soft-on-crime and defund-the-police policies, is facing a surge in criminal activity in her hometown of Yonkers. Data obtained from the Yonkers Police Department has shown significant increases in robberies, burglaries, felony assaults, and auto thefts. There have also been two murders so far this year, compared to zero in the same period the previous year. The Yonkers Police Benevolent Association has called on Stewart-Cousins to reconsider bail reform laws to improve public safety and address the issue of repeat offenders threatening the well-being of residents.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, aligned with Stewart-Cousins on criminal justice reform, is also under pressure to address rising violent crime in New York. The 2019 reforms advocated by Heastie and Stewart-Cousins eliminated cash bail for most misdemeanor and non-violent felony charges, leading to a revolving door for released felony suspects. Heastie’s Bronx district has seen a significant uptick in rape and robbery cases. Despite the increase in crime, Stewart-Cousins has maintained that the bail reforms have not correlated with the rise in criminal activity. However, incidents like a brazen jewelry store robbery in Yonkers and the overall spike in crime in the area continue to contradict this assertion.
Yonkers residents have been vocal about their concerns regarding the increase in crime in the area. A recent incident involving a jewelry store robbery captured on video highlighted the boldness of criminals in the community. The employee at the robbed jewelry store expressed frustration with the current situation, reflecting a sentiment of helplessness in the face of rising crime. Yonkers Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza emphasized the impact of post-Covid lawlessness on the city, noting the challenges law enforcement faces with bail reform and changes to the criminal justice system making it harder to keep offenders in jail.
Critics have pointed out the correlation between Stewart-Cousins and Heastie’s advocacy for bail reform and the rise in crime in their districts. Joseph Giacalone, a retired NYPD sergeant and criminal justice professor, highlighted the consequences of their policies by stating that the current mayhem in both of their districts is a result of their actions. Despite calls for reevaluation of bail reform laws and the need to prioritize public safety over the interests of habitual criminals, Stewart-Cousins and Heastie have continued to support their initiatives and deflect criticism. The situation in Yonkers serves as a stark example of the repercussions of their policies and the need for immediate action to address the surge in criminal activity threatening the safety of residents in the area and throughout the state.