| With weeks left in session, Senate and Assembly bills would strengthen penalties and restore safety across New York’s transit systems |
| ALBANY, NEW YORK – As lawmakers head into the final stretch of the legislative session, Attorney General candidate Saritha Komatireddy, Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt, Assembly Minority Leader Ed Ra, Senator Steve Chan, and other Republican leaders today called for immediate action on a package of transit safety legislation, warning that failure to act would leave millions of New Yorkers at continued risk across the state’s transit systems. With just weeks remaining before the close of session in June, leaders are urging Albany to take up the legislation without delay. On April 2, Komatireddy announced that she would implement a transit crime crackdown after being elected Attorney General, to include the creation of a Transit Crime Strikeforce within the AG’s Office, zero-tolerance prosecution of transit offenses and banning of repeat and violent offenders from the transit system. She also called on the legislature to enact stronger penalties for transit crime. “I commend the Senate and Assembly minority leaders for answering that call” said Saritha Komatireddy. “Republican leaders in the Assembly and Senate have been fighting for the safety of New Yorkers on our transit system, and I’m proud to stand with them in supporting this package of legislation,” said Komatireddy. “Every day these bills sit idle is another day New Yorkers are left unprotected on their way to work, school, and home. Transit crime is not just a New York City issue — it affects communities across our state, from regional rail lines to bus systems that families rely on every day. We have a real opportunity right now to act. Albany should take it.” The package includes Senate Bill S9938, introduced by Senator Steve Chan, which would strengthen penalties for crimes committed in and around transit systems and ensure repeat offenders face real consequences. “As a former police officer, I’ve seen what happens when there are no consequences,” said Senator Steve Chan, SD 17. “This bill makes clear: if you commit a crime on our transit systems, you will be held accountable.” Komatireddy also pointed to the Assembly Republican “Ride Safe, Ride Secure” package as part of a broader effort to address rising transit crime statewide, which includes a number of important pieces of legislation. “Democrats can continue pushing people toward public transit, but that effort will never succeed if the system continues to be plagued by crime. Despite several shocking attacks, the other side of the aisle has remained silent. If we fail to take decisive action in the face of what’s happening, it’s not only disappointing, but also negligent. The safety of our public transportation system must be addressed. Assembly and Senate Republicans have introduced solutions. Democrats need to find the courage to act. “ said Leader Ra. “Albany Democrats have proven they don’t take public safety seriously, as they continue to champion legislation favoring criminals and strip away any sort of meaningful punishments, leaving little to no deterrent for committing thefts, violent assaults, and other dangerous crimes on our mass transit systems. I’d like to thank Senator Chan for introducing these common-sense measures that will restore sanity and safety to New York’s public transit systems and candidate for Attorney General Saritha Komatireddy, who isn’t afraid to hold criminals accountable,” said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt. The Assembly “Ride Safe, Ride Secure” package includes measures to: – Increase penalties for violent crimes on public transit and ensure serious offenses are bail-eligible – Expand transit bans for repeat and violent offenders statewide – Address gaps in Raise the Age laws for violent transit offenses – Strengthen coordination with federal authoritiesInvest in transit safety infrastructure, including a $100 million grant program – Deploy additional law enforcement, including retired officers as transit marshals “These solutions are already on the table,” Komatireddy said. “The question is whether Albany will act. The clock is ticking. The bills are written. The solutions are there. Albany just needs to act.” |