Katko, Garbarino, Malliotakis Meet With NYC Law Enforcement Leaders, Share Key Takeaways

NEW YORK, NY – Rep. John Katko (R-NY), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) yesterday met with law enforcement officials to discuss issues facing the New York City Police Department (NYPD) including rising crime, training and recruitment concerns, and budgetary challenges. NYPD’s budget was defunded by $737 million, and since then, shootings are up 73% and homicides are up 17% from 2020.

Key Takeaways:

• While Americans overwhelmingly support law enforcement, police in many major cities are not getting the resources they need because some politicians have bowed to political pressure.

• There is a direct correlation between major cities defunding the police and spikes in violent crime across the country.

• As violence runs rampant in American communities, homeland security is being degraded because defunded police departments do not have sufficient resources for counterterrorism operations.

• The Biden Border Crisis continues to fuel drug and gang activity in American communities across the country. As illicit drugs pour across the border, violent cartel and gang activity is re-emerging in neighborhoods and schools.

• New York City has 500 fewer detectives this year because of budget constraints. This results in higher crime and slower response times.

• Budget cuts and bail reform are wreaking havoc in New York City. Because of bail reform, 50% of criminals who were arrested for shooting someone are put back on the streets and 9 of 10 people who are arrested with firearms are released the next day, according to officials.

###