Today, Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh (R,C,I-Ballston), members of the Assembly Minority Conference, law enforcement, District Attorneys and former judges participated in a Zoom press conference calling on state leaders to work together to address the drastic uptick in violent incidents occurring across the state.

“While the surge of violence we’ve seen in our state recently is incredibly devastating, it is ultimately not surprising given the wide range of ‘reforms’ that have become law over the last couple of years,” said Walsh. “From weakening penalties and judicial discretion to raising the age of criminal responsibility and eliminating cash bail requirements, we have seen the rights of criminals and repeat offenders prioritized over the public safety of New York residents.

“In Albany alone, homicides have increased by 800 percent and shootings are up 379 percent as compared to the year-to-date totals reported by respective agencies in 2019. Steps must be taken to address this horrific level of violence here in the Capital Region and throughout New York state. As we prepare to return to Albany in the next couple of weeks, I am hopeful that our counterparts in the Assembly recognize the need for action and make sure that legislation to address this uptick of gun violence is at the top of our agenda.”

Members of the Assembly Minority Conference were joined by Sheriff Jeffrey J. Murphy, Washington County, NYS Sheriff’s Association President; Chief Patrick D. Phelan, Town of Greece, NYS Association of Chiefs of Police President; Mary Pat Donnelly, Rensselaer County District Attorney; Sheriff Richard Giardino, Fulton County.