New York crime wave with Sean Hayes? “Programs and activities that help communities produce safety, from after-school programs, to gyms, to violence interruption programs, they were closed or severely limited,” she said. “All of these informal and formal systems and networks that typically mitigate violence, particularly for youth…were either shut down, or they were sick and dying. Or losing their jobs. Or had other stressors on them to prevent them from being the strong networks that existed before.”

Asked about the increase in gun violence on Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio argued that state-mandated COVID-19 restrictions are hamstringing the court system, leading to more violent crime. “Remember our court system is not functioning right now and that is making it bad for everyone,” de Blasio told a reporter. “We don’t run the courts. The State of New York needs to bring back our court system.” Lucian Chalfen, a spokesperson for the state court system, pointed out that the court system is running and regularly arraigning defendants after they are arrested. While in-person jury trials resumed three weeks ago, grand juries have been meeting since July. “Virtually, just last week, we commenced more than 1,200 bench trials and hearings (no jury) and conferenced 23,870 matters – both civil and criminal,” Chalfen wrote in an email. “On a daily basis NYC Criminal Court arraigns anywhere from 175-250 defendants, including 3 to a dozen illegal gun possession cases and holds other hearings in lieu of grand jury presentations.” Chalfen added, “The mayor should remember that the way shifting blame works is to be cognizant as to how another branch of government is functioning before doing so.”

Increase in pre-trial diversion programs that prohibit prosecution if, for example, one attends art classes. These programs were, even, offered to some gun offenders. These programs have increased the number offenders on our streets with the understanding by the offenders that in many cases an offender shall merely get a slap on the wrist. In 2017, the NY City Council passed legislation that moved to close Riker’s Island and to replace Riker’s Island with jails around the City. With one jail scheduled to be built in City Council District 1. The new proposed system shall, only house 1/2 of the present jailed population. Thus, the Mayor’s Office and City Council proposed additional alternatives to incarceration programs such as the Mayor de Blasio and the NY City Council commenced program to decrease the number of people in prison and implement a supervised release program. Many of those scheduled to be released shall be dangerous to the community. See more details at Crime Reduction & Safe Streets Program New York 2021.

The best explanation I have seen of the issues we are facing with politics is described by Mr. Rafeal Mangual. He notes in a great article on crime in New York that: “The radical wing of the criminal-justice reform movement has enjoyed enormous legislative and electoral success over the last few years, in New York and elsewhere. Such success owes much to the impression—carefully crafted and nurtured by those leading the movement—that the fight for reform is, à la Public Enemy, a fight against “the power.” David versus Goliath. Meek Mill versus The System. But that’s all just a smokescreen. When the smoke clears, it reveals that those leading the movement to de-police city streets and depopulate jails and prisons are the power. As such, they should be held accountable for their ‘victories’—and what follows from them.” Rafael A. Mangual

Sean Hayes a 47-year old NY Attorney; Head of an International Law Firm; former lawyer working in China, Korea & Southeast Asia; former Professor, CEO, Dean of a UN University and Journalist fears that our City shall turn to the Dark Days of the 80s and early 90s, because of reactionary and radicalized politics in New York and the lack of experience, pragmatism, and problem-solving skills of our politicians. Sean is running in the Democratic Primary for City Council in District 1. We need experienced and pragmatic leadership in our City Council and not those unwilling or unable to face the problems of our City. We hear too much rhetoric and not enough solutions. Sean is the, only, candidate in District 1 with comprehensive solutions to the problems facing New York City. See extra info at https://www.seanhayes4nyc.com/.