As Nassau Executive Blasts Bail Reform, Data Shows Few Are Re-Arrested

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — Of the people arrested in Nassau County over the last quarter, 87 percent were released without bail under the state's bail reform laws, data released Monday by the Nassau County Police Department showed. Only a small percentage of them were arrested again.

The data on arrests and bail was released under an executive order signed by County Executive Bruce Blakeman in January, which called for daily reports from the police department on how many people were arrested and released without bail. Instead, the police released a quarterly report on Monday.

Blakeman, a Republican, has opposed the state's bail reform law since taking office, calling the policy "woke" and saying it has led to more crimes.

Crime is up, the police department's data showed, at least for those arrested and released without bail. Thefts are up 53 percent, assaults are up 30 percent and drug arrests are up 77 percent.

"The atmosphere of lawlessness is the direct result of failed policies from Albany that make our communities less safe," Blakeman said.

But the data doesn't appear to back up the claim that many people released without bail go on to commit more crimes.

Of the 2,641 people arrested and released without bail from April 1 to June 30, 195 were re-arrested, police data showed. That's a recidivism rate of 7 percent.

Furthermore, being arrested doesn't mean the person was guilty. The data doesn't show how many people had charges dropped against them, or how many appeared at their court dates.

New York's bail reform law went into effect in 2020. It eliminated bail on most misdemeanors and non-violent offenses. For serious and violent crimes, judges are still able to set bail — just like they always were. Estimates were that it would eliminate cash bail by as much as 90 percent in some areas.

Just months after the law was implemented, the state made changes and increased the number of offenses for which judges were allowed to assign bail at their discretion. Since the law was enacted, Nassau County was named the safest community in America two years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.

Serena Liguori, executive director of New Hour for Women and Children LI, has spent the past seven years working with women and children affected by the criminal justice system. That includes many women released without bail. They provide training and counseling to help women get back on their feet after they're arrested and incarcerated.

"Overwhelmingly, people are getting help in the community and not recidivating," she said. "So there's just not significant data to back up rolling back bail reform."

Proponents of bail reform legislation say it's a civil rights issue. Bail for minor offenses keeps low-income people locked up, while those who can afford to pay bail walk free. By eliminating bail for minor offenses, people can continue working their jobs and engaging with their families and communities as they await trial.

"One of the things Blakeman's talking points are missing is the terrible inequity," Liguori said. "If you can afford to pay your way out of jail, you can go home."