New York Republicans unveiled a bill on Wednesday proposing to allocate $10 million annually in federal grants to states and localities to address repeat offenders, as per a draft obtained exclusively by The Post.
The Empire State GOP delegation introduced the SERVE Our Communities Act with the aim of encouraging jurisdictions from fiscal years 2026 to 2031 to prioritize law enforcement and public safety by reversing “misguided” bail policies and other detrimental effects of criminal justice reform.
Rep. Claudia Tenney, the lead co-sponsor, stated to The Post, “We must end the ongoing cycle of crime caused by Albany’s bail reform policies, which prioritize criminals over law-abiding New Yorkers.”
“I am honored to lead my New York Republican colleagues in introducing this legislation, which works to support our law enforcement officers and enhances public safety.”
Repeat offenders have been a persistent issue in New York City and other areas led by progressive prosecutors, many of whom advocate for the elimination of bail and reduction of charges.
According to statistics shared by the New York Department of Corrections earlier this year, nearly 1 in 5 criminals (19.1%) reoffend, and New York is among the minority of US states where judges are not allowed to consider the risk posed by defendants when setting bail.
Just two days into the new year, a woman was charged with fatally stabbing a postal worker for cutting her in line at a Harlem deli. She has a history of knife violence and has been arrested at least five times before.
The House bill authorizes the Department of Justice block grants for states and localities that permit judges to take into account the danger posed by individuals to the community when determining bail or pretrial release conditions.
Eligible jurisdictions must also increase the hiring and retention of law enforcement officers and prosecutors and implement public education programs to address anti-police sentiment and enhance community-police relations, which have deteriorated since the George Floyd protests and calls to defund the police.
According to preliminary data from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund released on Dec. 31, at least 147 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty last year, marking a 25% increase from 2023.
Last August, another repeat offender, who had previous arrests for assault and burglary, attacked a rookie cop in a wild incident captured on camera in the Bronx.
Advocates for progressive criminal justice reforms have long opposed cash bail and other policies that result in higher incarceration rates.
Opponents argue that even repeat nonviolent and misdemeanor offenders are likely to reoffend, potentially escalating to violent crimes.
“Let’s be clear: Nonviolent, first-time offenders deserve a second chance,” stated former NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell in 2022.
“However, judges should have the authority to detain career criminals and violent offenders pending trial. We must maintain agreed-upon reforms while also working to prevent harm to New Yorkers. Our focus should be on the victims of crime.”
During his first year in office, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg sought bail for culprits in only 49% of felony cases, downgraded 52% of felony cases to misdemeanors through deals, and lost half of the felony prosecutions that went to trial.
“Cashless bail is the single stupidest piece of legislation ever signed into existence. It allows career criminals the chance to offend again and again without any punishment and makes New Yorkers less safe,” expressed Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) of Rockland County.
“The SERVE Our Communities Act will encourage New York to address its flawed criminal justice laws and restore public safety. It’s a sensible bill that steers the state towards a reasonable solution.”
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and the Democratic-led state legislature in Albany passed a series of similar reforms in 2019, eliminating cash bail for non-violent felony offenders, among other measures, but did not address the danger standard despite initial intentions.
Judges tasked with applying an intricate “Bail Bench Book” to determine bail for offenders have had to undergo training sessions and use “cheat sheets” in court to ascertain the discretion they have to detain potentially dangerous defendants, even after Gov. Kathy Hochul adjusted the 2019 law four years later.
“Since the Democrats’ radical 2019 Bail Law took effect, violent crime and recidivism rates have surged across New York City and State, jeopardizing public safety,” remarked Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) of Staten Island, another co-sponsor of the bill. “I’m proud to join my New York colleagues in introducing this bill to incentivize the hiring of law enforcement officers, which is urgently needed, and repeal the lenient policies that have undermined community safety.”
“The SERVE Our Communities Act takes crucial steps to address the dangerous soft-on-crime policies imposed by Albany Democrats, including cashless bail and lenient pretrial release,” added Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY) of Long Island. “This is a common-sense bill that should receive bipartisan support as every lawmaker, regardless of party, should be working to empower law enforcement officers to safeguard our communities.”
The legislative amendments backed by Hochul in 2023 require state courts to make individualized determinations regarding the risk of flight posed by defendants, the level of control necessary to ensure their return to court, and the appropriate securing order.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams criticized Hochul’s changes, made as part of a state budget deal, stating they did not go far enough, while former Police Benevolent Association president Pat Lynch labeled them as “window dressing.”
Adams recently denounced Cuomo for overseeing the bail reform but clarified that he does not attribute the city’s recidivism rates to the new crime laws. He also mentioned ongoing negotiations with the legislature for solutions.
Cuomo’s spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, pointed out Adams’ past dismissal of the bail reform debate as a “bumper sticker” slogan and his endorsement of Hochul’s bail reform package.
“Bail reform has devastated New York,” stated Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY) from the Buffalo area. “Our courageous law enforcement officers and law-abiding citizens bear the consequences while criminals walk free. As long as Albany’s far-left leaders fail to protect New Yorkers, it falls on us in Congress to do so. I am proud to join my New York colleagues in Congress in introducing the SERVE Our Communities Act to restore safety to our streets.”
“New Yorkers deserve to feel secure in their communities, but Albany’s disastrous bail reform policies have made that impossible,” added Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) from Nassau and Suffolk County. “The SERVE Our Communities Act is a necessary step towards reinstating accountability and ensuring repeat offenders do not cycle in and out of the system unchecked. I stand with Congresswoman Tenney and my fellow New York colleagues in advocating for our law enforcement and prioritizing the safety of law-abiding citizens.”
