Here’s a huge example as to why New York needs to do away with its bail reform laws

Op-ed views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author.

The law enforcement veteran and InVest USA founder discusses the troublesome history of Clive Porter, and why New York needs to change things.

I will never understand the way of thinking when it comes to New York government.

For years now, New York police officers have been horribly mistreated. Between the hatred from the “defund the police” movement and decisions made by former Mayor Eric Adams and current Governor Kathy Hochul, thousands have ended up leaving their posts one way or another, seeking better opportunities elsewhere.

But now another situation has arisen that serves as a key example as to why the city should take a closer look at its bail reform laws.

For those unfamiliar, a bail reform law allows the replacement of a cash bail system in favor of risk-based assessments, in an effort to determine whether a defendant should be released before trial.

Sounds like a fair system, right? Except there are some cases where criminals manage to slip through the cracks and use it to their advantage, in an effort to commit more crimes.

That’s certainly the case with Clive Porter.

This 33-year old man is troubled, to say the least. He has an arrest record of 86 times. Eighty. Six. Times. And yet, thanks to these troublesome bail reform laws, he’s back on the streets. And, just as before, he demonstrated exactly why he should be behind bars – for good.

Back in late October, Porter committed his latest heinous act. According to Fox News, he punched a 45-year old man in the face, a hate crime tied in with his Asian race. He even called him an “Asian f***” before running from the station. He was later arrested and charged, but more than likely, he’ll be back on the streets in no time.

Are you kidding me right now? Porter has an extensive history of criminal activity. We’re talking 61 felonies, 24 misdemeanors and one violation, according to reports. And this includes everything from threatening people with knives to allegedly assaulting an elderly woman.

And yet, every single time, the bail reform laws allow him to keep doing what he’s doing.

This is on top of the city taking care of illegal immigrants that President Donald Trump is trying to get removed from this country. Criminals, gang members and such are protected through the state’s “sanctuary city” policies, which limit local law enforcement from working with federal immigration authorities. No wonder New York police officers are getting frustrated.

And with Zohran Mamdani recently winning the New York City mayoral race, I don’t see it getting any better. He’s talked a great deal in the past about how he feels about New York police, and with his newly acquired seat in power, I’m not exactly looking optimistic about what he does next.

Bottom line? New York needs some changes.

I mean, we have someone that continues to commit small yet serious crimes, getting out time and time again with a mere slap on the wrist or a fine. But…eighty six?! You’re kidding me. It needs a system that will teach these criminals a thing or two, rather than taking advantage of something that bends in their favor. Porter’s example could very well teach people the wrong kind of lesson and bump up New York crime significantly.

Not to mention what’s happening with our police officers. Again, they’ve been horribly mistreated in the past, either fired from duty over refusing to take a COVID vaccine or having their funding removed in favor of other useless policies. And, once more, I just don’t have faith that Mamdani will make things any better.

Hopefully this latest assault and arrest by Porter will wake someone up and make them realize what bail reform needs to be – something that teaches criminals the hard lesson that they need to learn. The key word here is “reform” – “to make changes to improve something that is wrong, corrupt or unsatisfactory.” That simply isn’t happening here. It’s making things worse.

Come on, New York. Flip the script.

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Michael Letts

Michael A. Letts, Founder, President, and CEO of In-Vest USA, a national grassroots non-profit organization that is helping hundreds of communities provide thousands of bullet-proof vests for their police forces through educational, public relations, sponsorship, and fundraising programs.