It was in the middle of the night on April Fools’ Day when former Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed New York’s cashless bail law into effect. Since then, that tragic joke has been borne by thousands of innocent crime victims whose perpetrators have been arrested and released over and over again.
The depth of the system’s failure is underscored by the New York Police Department’s recent “Worst of the Worst” list, which lays bare the real-world consequences of a bail system that Gov. Kathy Hochul and her Democratic allies have refused to meaningfully reform.
Recidivist #1 has amassed 101 career arrests, including 88 since bail reform took effect in 2020. Despite 15 total convictions, including two violent felony counts, the offender continues to cycle through the system, with at least 14 failures to appear in court. Both parole and probation have been revoked in the past, and the individual currently faces two open commercial retail theft cases stemming from multiple incidents.
Recidivist #2 has recorded 96 career arrests, with 67 occurring since bail reform, primarily tied to retail theft and larceny. The offender has 44 total convictions, including one felony and 41 misdemeanors, yet continues to accumulate new cases. Court records show at least 26 failures to appear and three probation revocations, while the individual remains free with four pending commercial retail theft cases.
Recidivist #3 has been arrested 58 times, including 55 arrests since cashless bail was enacted. A history of at least 16 failures to appear has contributed to a growing backlog of unresolved cases. Currently, 18 pending cases remain open, tied to 31 separate commercial theft and burglary incidents.
Thankfully, in Suffolk County, District Attorney Ray Tierney and a Republican county government led by County Executive Ed Romaine have taken a strong stand on public safety. Criminals are arrested and prosecuted. Still, judges remain handcuffed by state law, unable to hold dangerous offenders before trial—a reality highlighted by the notorious Babylon body-parts case, where a judge lacked authority to detain the suspects.
Long Island officials have rallied behind the PROTECT Act to restore common-sense judicial discretion. The message to Albany is simple: Get it done.