Twent-five years ago New York City was about to implode.
Violent crime and murder rates were the worst in the United States, tourism was declining, real estate values were plummeting, and economic development was in regression.
There were close to 1.6 million people on welfare, and neighborhoods of color looked like the remnants of war-torn Beirut.
City streets and highways were cluttered with stolen and abandoned cars.
As Rudolph W. Giuliani focused on his second attempt to become New York’s mayor, most New Yorkers believed that New York City was just too filthy, corrupt, and violent to manage.
Giuliani possessed a different view: He was adamant that no one wants to live, work, visit, or go to school in a place where they're not safe.
So, if we can reduce violent crime and murder, and enhance the quality of life, people will come, and that they did.
During the course of his eight year term, violent crime dropped by 65%, murder by 70%. Reflecting the most significant reductions in violent crime and murder in our nation's history.
For every percentage point he reduced violent crime, we witnessed increases in economic development, rising real estate values; and all-time highs in tourism. As he walked out of City Hall on his last day, there was close to 800,000 less people on welfare.
New York City had become the safest large city in America.
Over the next 12 years, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly carried on Giuliani’s anti-crime strategies, both achieving continued reductions in violent crime and murder.
Mayor Bloomberg used that success to trumpet New York City as America’s economic and business capital of the world, which opened the floodgates for thousands of new companies and jobs.
By 2014, New York City was one of the cleanest, safest, and fastest growing cities globally.
Then came Mayor Bill de Blasio.
De Blasio, a known liberal/socialist Democrat who actually honeymooned in Cuba, took over the city when it was at its finest. In the last six years he has managed to flip the city upside down; diminish its quality of life, and scare New York businesses. So much so, that there is once again a mass exodus, just as we saw back in the 1980s and early 1990s.
De Blasio campaigned on an anti-cop/racist platform, sending a clear message to the rank-and-file of the NYPD, that they would no longer be supported and given the benefit of the doubt by the mayor — their commander in chief.
In the six years that DeBlasio has been mayor, all of the economic development and real estate gains seen under Giuliani and Bloomberg, are reversing. Homelessness in the city is rampant; panhandlers, graffiti artists, and squeegee window washers are back for the first time in 20 years.
In recent months the NYPD has reported spikes and violent crime, shootings, and murders. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into law bail reform legislation crafted and supported by left-socialist ringmasters. This has opened the floodgates for criminals and criminal conduct, with absolutely no accountability.
No Bail Required:
Under the new law those arrested for burglary, vehicular manslaughter, rape in the third degree, or luring a child, no longer (as arrestees) have to post bail in order to guarantee they’ll come back to court, and to ensure that they don’t engage in criminal conduct prior to being held accountable on their present charges.
Anyone with half a brain would have known this was a completely irresponsible and dangerous policy, but New York’s political leadership was either too stupid or didn’t care.
As a result, in just the first five days after the law took effect, we’ve seen a number of people charged with crimes then re-arrested within 24 to 48 hours after their initial charges were pressed; because they were let go by the courts, returned to the streets — engaging in more criminal conduct.
One woman charged with and anti-Semitic attack was released to attack again and then released, only to attack a third time.
Judges can no longer use a rap-sheet during an arraignment to determine prior criminal history. The defendant can only be judged on the crime before the court on that day, nothing more. Therefore, the judge is obligated to release the suspect back into society with the hopes that he or she will show up in court, staying out of trouble until then.
So far, that has not been the case, which is why within the last 48 hours, several New York City and state legislators have called for an immediate reevision to the law.
Unfortunately, it’s too little too late. This should have never happened in the first place.
Mayor DeBlasio, and Gov. Cuomo are personally responsible for this quagmire, as well as overseeing the demise of so many of the successes and achievements that were made ensuring that New Yorkers could live in a safe and secure environment during the Giuliani and Bloomberg tenures.
DeBlasio's and Cuomo's political rhetoric (and actions) have demoralized and handcuffed the police, while emboldening criminals. Their words and actions ensure New York's return to the bad old days.
Their socialist ideology is also bad for business, bad for the city, and bad for our country.
At what point and at who’s expense will they begin to comprehend that?
As New York City’s 40th Police Commissioner, Bernard Kerik was in command of the NYPD on September 11, 2001, and responsible for the city’s response, rescue, recovery, and the investigative efforts of the most substantial terror attack in world history. His 35-year career has been recognized in more than 100 awards for meritorious and heroic service, including a presidential commendation for heroism by President Ronald Reagan, two Distinguished Service Awards from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, The Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and an appointment as Honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. To read more of his reports — Click Here Now.
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