Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman signed an executive order Wednesday stating that Nassau County Police Department must release daily reports on each arrested individual’s pending criminal case and bail status.
The new law aims to inform Nassau residents about “the potential threat [that New York State’s bail] reform laws pose to their safety,” county officials said. In 2021, there were a total of 11,005 arrests in Nassau, and 9,699 were released without bail, 300 of whom were arrested for weapon-related offenses, the county reported.
“It’s time that Nassau residents and the lawmakers who passed these dangerous laws know exactly how they are impacting our communities,” Blakeman said. “This executive order sheds sunlight on these dangerous laws and puts pressure on the governor and state lawmakers to put law abiding Americans above criminals.”
Police will immediately begin releasing the reports, which will include the name of the arrestee, their arrest history, and if they were released because of New York’s cashless bail laws, a county spokesperson said.
Cashless bail laws, which went into effect in 2020, were intended to free up jail space by releasing individuals who commit certain misdemeanors and non-violent felonies, many of whom cannot afford bail, while they await trial. However, Republicans have been vocal in arguments against the reform, saying it will allow for criminals to become repeat offenders and endanger other residents.
Blakeman announced the new data-reporting measure just over a week after lobbying for the repeal of the bail reform law in Albany alongside other Republican leaders. While signing the executive order, he was joined by Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder, Legislator Denise Ford, Police Chief Atmore, and Assistant Police Chief Ferro.
Local leaders praised Blakeman’s action, including Town of Hempstead Councilman Chris Carini, a retired police officer. “Bail reform continues to place criminals ahead of law-abiding citizens,” he said. “This failed law must be repealed and judicial discretion returned to our criminal justice system.”
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