New York City’s progressive laws and policies have come under scrutiny from the head of the NYPD’s Lieutenants Benevolent Association for hamstringing the police from keeping violent criminals locked up. Lou Turco, the president of the police union, criticized the city’s “catch-and-release” policy for dangerous offenders, following an incident where a mob of illegal immigrants viciously attacked two NYPD officers, with several of the suspects fleeing the state after being arrested and then released.
Turco’s comments highlight what he sees as a larger trend in the city, where individuals charged with violent crimes are being released without bail, despite having no ties to the community. He argues that this approach only enables criminals to flee and evade responsibility for their actions.
The recent attack in Times Square, where multiple migrants were arrested and then released, has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the city’s handling of criminal offenders. Turco expressed dismay over the suspects being let go, emphasizing that law enforcement is doing their part in apprehending criminals, but city officials are failing to keep them behind bars.
Moreover, he points out that changes to the state’s bail laws in 2019 have exacerbated the problem, eliminating cash bail for most misdemeanor and nonviolent offenses. Critics argue that this has led to a lenient approach to policing, worsening the city’s crime problem.
In discussing the lack of transparency in the criminal justice system, Turco suggests that the motivation to hold individuals accountable for their crimes is lacking. He points to a progressive-driven approach to policing, prosecutions, and incarceration in the city as the root cause of the issue.
The progressive ideology dominating New York City politics has led to legislation that is at odds with the concerns and perspectives of law enforcement. With a Democratic majority in the City Council, there appears to be a disconnect between policymakers and those with firsthand policing experience, as highlighted by Turco.
Overall, Turco’s criticisms shed light on the challenges facing law enforcement in New York City, where progressive policies and legislation have created a complex and contentious landscape for policing and justice administration.