Brooklyn– State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn) today is opposing New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito’s plan to someday close Rikers Island as part of her Criminal Justice Reform plan. In the Speaker's State of the City speech yesterday, she outlined crime reform measures that endanger New Yorkers.

“A top priority of every elected official is to enact measures that helps keep our constituents safe. Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito wants to reform the criminal justice system by vacating 700,000 warrants, turning a blind eye to certain offenses and dreams of closing Rikers Island. The Speaker’s dream will be a nightmare for law-abiding citizens. The reality is we live in a society where dangerous people commit crimes and pose a serious threat to society. Criminals and violent offenders need to be jailed in a facility that is far away from residences, businesses and schools. I pray for a day when jails are not needed but until then let’s do everything to protect our citizens.”

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