Senator Joseph Griffo is proposing legislation that would make New York safer and provide additional resources to law enforcement agencies.

Griffo was joined by a number of local law enforcement officials for Wednesday's announcement.

He says while major crimes have been increasing in New York City, a similar trend is also happening in upstate communities.

Both Utica and Rome Police Departments are investigating homicide that have taken place this week.

Griffo’s legislation would provide $100 million to law enforcement agencies over the next three years for additional police officers and equipment.

It would completely repeal the state’s bail changes and change discovery laws to include affirmative consent of witnesses.

The changes made previously by the majorities have resulted in a number of issues including the possibility that the identity of witnesses could be exposed and that defendants could have access to crime scenes.

“Day after day, I continue to see dangerous people who have been charged with serious offenses be released or being issued appearance tickets only to re-offend and to be charged again. I continue to see victims being re-victimized again and again. All of us agree that the criminal justice system needed reform, but NY’s bail reform took it too far and it has failed us miserably.  I applaud Senator Griffo for his tireless work in making our communities safer and for his continuous support of law enforcement,” said Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol.

The legislation would also instituted severe consequences for murdering a police officer – either mandatory life without parole or capital punishment.

15 Of New York State's Most Wanted Criminals- May 2022

Below are individuals wanted by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision's (DOCCS) Office of Special Investigations who have been designated as its Most Wanted Fugitives. They should be considered armed and dangerous. This list is current as of 05/01/2022:

NEVER attempt to apprehend a fugitive yourself. If you have information on the location of any of these fugitives, you can contact OSI 24 hours a day / 7 days a week to report it. All leads and tips are treated as confidential information.

If an immediate response is necessary, such as you see the wanted person at a location, please call “911” and report it to the police.

Utica, NY Police Department's Top Ten Most Wanted

The City of Utica Police Department in Utica, New York has released its Top Ten Most Wanted List for the month of February 2022.

Several of those listed have previously been featured in separate posts about individual crimes, on a previous wanted list, or as the Mohawk Valley Crime Stoppers Wanted Person of the Week.

The reader is reminded that all persons, either suspected of or arrested in connection to, a crime, are innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of any of the individuals listed is asked to call police or the local Crime Stoppers.

The Utica Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division can be reached at: (315) 223.3510.

Calls, e-mail, and messages may also be left anonymously with Mohawk Valley Crime Stoppers by calling: 1-866-730-8477 (TIPS), by visiting www.mohawkvalleycrimestoppers.com, or by using the P3 Tips mobile app. All information received by Mohawk Valley Crime Stoppers is 100% confidential.

Step Back To 1928 And See The Rome Capitol Theatre Under Construction

 

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