Children's Association and Local Clergy Push for "Raise the Age" Legislation

The Westchester Children’s Association has been joined by local clergy in calling for a higher age of criminal responsibility. They have issued a letter of support for “Raise the Age” legislation that will raise the age of criminal responsibility in New York from 16 to 18 years of age.

“This is crucial legislation that needs to pass this June to increase public safety and help end the cycle of crime. We want our elected officials to hear our plea to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 18 years-old,” said Pastor Jeffrey Geary of White Plains Presbyterian Church. The legislation is also supported by the Rev. Erwin Lee Trollinger of Calvary Baptist Church in White Plains and Bart Worden, Clergy Leader of the Ethical Culture Society of Westchester in White Plains.

The campaign is calling for age-appropriate punishment for young people who commit crimes because otherwise they are sent to adult prisons that do not meet the needs of children. The Westchester Children’s Association said that children who go through the adult prison system are 34 percent more likely to commit criminal offenses again then those who are sent to youth facilities.

The association will hold an event at Berkeley College in White Plains at 8:30 a.m. Friday. There is more information here.

Photo: Front row, left to right: the Rev. Dr. Bonnie Rosborough, Briarcliff Congregational Church; Rev. Erwin Lee Trollinger, Calvary Baptist Church White Plains; Allison Lake, Westchester Children's Association; the Rev. Jeffrey Geary, White Plains Presbyterian Church; and Bart Worden, Clergy Leader of Ethical Society of Westchester, White Plains.Back row, left to right: Kerry Megley, Family Ties: Cora Greenberg, Westchester Children's Association; Kay Schonberg, retired social worker, Prof. Merill Sobie of Pace Law School, and Frank Williams, White Plains Youth Bureau. Photo courtesy of Westchester Children's Association.