De Blasio denounces ‘propaganda’ while calling for bail law change

Mayor Bill de Blasio again said the state should amend the bail reform measure during a Forest Hills town hall meeting hosted by Councilmember Karen Koslowitz. Photo by Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office.

By David Brand

Mayor Bill de Blasio once again called on state lawmakers to amend a brand new bail measure, as angry Queens residents assailed the reform during a town hall meeting in Forest Hills Wednesday. But the local assembly member, Andrew Hevesi, defended the law, blaming backlash on “fear-mongering” and prompting boos from the crowd.

Town hall attendees packed the gymnasium at JHS 190 Russell Sage and described their perception that the city was becoming more dangerous since the state enacted the measure that eliminates cash bail on misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies on Jan. 1. 

“Can you please get rid of bail reform to make our city safer?” asked one Forest Hills resident, who cited vague reports of victims “being beaten, slashed by criminals who are being released.”

De Blasio reminded the questioner that the bail reform measure was a state law — it passed as part of last year’s budget — and said the backlash to the bail law was fueled by rightwing “propaganda” and “people whipping up fear.”

“There are people in this city who are trying to tell you we’re not safe, that we’re going back to the 70s,” he said, to jeers from many in the audience. “If you believe that, then God bless you because you do not believe in facts.”

Nevertheless, de Blasio has criticized the bail law for not giving judges discretion to send people to jail. He repeated that critique again Wednesday.

“There is a good part of bail reform and there is a part that I think needs to be addressed,” he said last night. “Bail reform as an idea was the right thing to do.”

“We think some revisions are needed and those are the conversations we’re having with the leadership in Albany,” he added

NYPD brass, including Commissioner Dermot Shea, have slammed the new bail law, initially blaming the reform for last month’s uptick in overall crime — though murder rape and hate offenses each decreased. Shea could not provide data backing up his assertion, however.

Chief of Patrol Fausto Pichardo addressed the backlash during the town hall meeting and referenced a push among state senators — including Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky, who represents Forest Hills — to amend the law to allow judges to remand defendants who they deem dangerous.

“We’re grateful that our folks up in Albany have come to the table, and we’ve voiced our concerns,” Pichardo said.

Not every elected official at the Forest Hills forum is ready to cave to pressure to change the bail law, however. 

Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi preemptively defended the measure at the beginning of the meeting. He is one of several Queens assembly members who have remained steadfast in their support of the law, designed to end racial and income inequities in the criminal justice system. Low-income defendants, particularly people of color, have remained in pretrial detention because they cannot afford bail, even as wealthier defendants charged with the same offenses pay to get out of Rikers Island and other city jails. 

“I voted for it,” Hevesi said, as some in the crowd jeered. “I’m proud about that vote.”

“For those of you who booed, that means you don’t believe in the presumption of innocence,” he continued. “The fear-mongering is outrageous.”