Amid growing public concern over crime, New York Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay is advocating for immediate changes to the state’s public safety policies, including a proposal to allow voters to recall district attorneys who fail to enforce the law effectively.
In a recent column, Barclay criticized the state’s criminal justice reforms and prosecutorial decisions, specifically referencing Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s handling of the high-profile case of Daniel Penny, a former Marine acquitted earlier this week. Barclay argued that Bragg’s prosecution of Penny exemplifies what he called the “backwards” approach of liberal prosecutors. Penny was charged after a fatal confrontation on a New York City subway.
Citing a Siena Poll that shows most New Yorkers believe crime has worsened over the past year, Barclay contended that public safety concerns are being ignored. He argued that soft-on-crime policies and selective prosecution are emboldening criminals and undermining the justice system.
To address this, Barclay introduced a constitutional amendment (A.9334) that would allow voters to recall district attorneys through a petition process. This proposal, he noted, was inspired by the 2022 recall of San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin, who was removed from office for his handling of crime.
“New Yorkers should be afforded the same opportunity” to recall prosecutors who fail to hold criminals accountable, Barclay stated, calling the amendment a necessary step to restore accountability and prioritize public safety.
Barclay also called on the Legislature to reconsider several criminal justice policies, including bail reform, Raise the Age laws, parole regulations, and cooperation with immigration agencies. He argued that these reforms have contributed to a sense of lawlessness and jeopardized community safety.
“The actions taken by Daniel Penny wouldn’t be necessary if the justice system weren’t compromised by liberal political ideologies,” Barclay wrote, emphasizing the need to protect law-abiding citizens and uphold public safety as a primary duty.
Barclay urged his legislative colleagues to support measures that address these issues, restore public trust, and empower communities to hold elected officials accountable.
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