State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins Faces Crime Surge in Yonkers
State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, known for her alignment with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie on soft-on-crime and defund-the-police policies, is witnessing a spike in crime in her hometown of Yonkers, according to data from the Yonkers Police Department.
Robberies have increased by 63%, burglaries by 33%, felony assaults by 8%, and auto theft by 2% this year, as per police statistics. Additionally, there have been two murders so far this year, compared to none in the same period last year.
Frank McDonald, head of the Yonkers Police Benevolent Association, emphasized the need for Senator Stewart-Cousins to reconsider bail reform laws to ensure the safety of the community. He highlighted the importance of addressing repeat offenders that pose a threat to residents.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and lawmakers like Stewart-Cousins are under pressure to address the rise in violent crime in New York. The criminal justice reforms advocated by them in 2019, which eliminated cash bail for most misdemeanor and non-violent felony charges, have been criticized for creating a revolving door for released felony suspects.
Despite her claims, the reality on the ground in Yonkers tells a different story. Crime incidents like the brazen jewelry store robbery reflect the impact of such policies on the community.
Yonkers is still grappling with a rise in lawlessness post-Covid, as mentioned by Yonkers Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza.
In light of the challenges faced by law enforcement due to these reforms, it is essential to reevaluate the approach to public safety and address the concerns raised by community members in Yonkers and across New York.
