Senator Mark Walczyk has criticized Governor Kathy Hochul for what he describes as a delayed and inadequate response to a rise in youth violence across New York this summer. Citing recent increases in murders, attacks, and violent incidents involving young people, Walczyk called for greater accountability from the state’s leadership.
“Governor Hochul wants to step up as a ‘leader’ only after blood has been shed in our communities. With a staggering 24% increase in youth crime, it seems she only reacts when the tragedies produce too many headlines to overlook,” Walczyk said. “This is a pattern of negligence produces victims and endangers our children and families.”
Walczyk linked the uptick in youth-related crimes to the 2018 implementation of the “Raise the Age” (RTA) legislation. He noted that since RTA took effect, arrests of youths with firearms have increased by 136%, while juvenile shooting victims are up by 81%. According to Walczyk, children now make up roughly twice the proportion of shooting victims compared to previous years.
As a cosponsor of Senator Griffo’s Bill S.7076—which seeks changes to the current RTA law—Walczyk argued that more than minor reforms are needed. “Young offenders are still able to escape meaningful consequences, contributing to a reckless culture of impunity,” he said.
The senator also pointed out that NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch has expressed similar concerns about RTA’s impact on public safety. Tisch has described “tragic unintended consequences” stemming from the law, including an increase in gun-related offenses among youths and repeat offenders taking advantage of lenient penalties.
Walczyk referenced the recent stabbing death of Angel Mendoza as an example of what he sees as policy failures leading to preventable violence: “The recent stabbing of Angel Mendoza is grim evidence of the consequences of our inaction. When they act without fear of punishment, evil prevails and everyone is at risk,” he stated.
“It’s time to end the rhetoric and initiate decisive action. We have a responsibility to restore safety and security to our neighborhoods before more lives are lost,” Senator Walczyk concluded. “Without genuine consequences, we not only fail our youth but jeopardize the very fabric of our society. The culture of violence must be dismantled now by passing Senator Griffo’s repealer of key portions of the state’s ‘Raise the Age’ law.”
