Senator Tom O’Mara is demanding a sweeping reversal of New York’s criminal justice laws, arguing that state leaders have “emboldened society’s criminal element” under Democratic control.
In a weekly column dated August 4, O’Mara accused the state’s Democrat majorities of ignoring rising crime and undermining public safety with “a far-left agenda.” He said his Senate Republican conference continues to push back with legislation focused on protecting victims, law enforcement, and communities.
“Our message is straightforward: Enough is enough,” O’Mara wrote. “We need to stand up, speak out, and fight against the pro-criminal, anti-police mentality and policies that keep going too far in New York State.”
O’Mara linked the rise in violence and crime to reforms enacted since 2019, when Democrats assumed full control of state government. He pointed specifically to bail and discovery reform, the “Raise the Age” law, and what he called an “out-of-control state Parole Board.”
“These concerns continue to fall on deaf ears in Albany,” he said. “What hasn’t changed…is that they are being heard loud and clear by our Senate and Assembly Republican conferences.”
He cited support from the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police and the Sheriffs Association in calls to reexamine public safety legislation. According to O’Mara, his conference’s “Liberate New York” agenda includes a “Protect Those Who Protect Us” package to bolster law enforcement and parole reforms to prevent the release of violent offenders.
He also pointed to a Siena Research Institute poll in July, which he said showed half of New Yorkers believe the state is headed in the wrong direction.
The column expressed frustration that Democrats “show absolutely no sign of letting up” and claimed their policies “keep making this state and our communities less safe.” In contrast, O’Mara said Republicans are fighting to redirect priorities toward “a more sane, more sensible, and more sustainable state government.”
“It’s time to get this state back on track towards a safer and stronger future,” he wrote.
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