A New York judge has released without bail two thugs arrested for assaulting an NYPD police officer in a subway station.
Kareem McClary, 23, and Izayiah Jessamy, 20, smoked cigarettes with a third, unidentified man on the platform of the Freeman Street subway station Monday afternoon.
When two police officers asked the men to stop smoking, they refused and attacked the officer, authorities said.
At their hearing in Bronx Criminal Court, prosecutors asked for bail of $10,000 or bail of $30,000, which Judge Eugene Bowen denied.
According to court records, Judge Bowen released both men without bail on Nov. 14.
Both McClary and Jessamy have no criminal record.
Two men were caught on video attacking a New York City police officer on a subway station platform in the Bronx as criminal attacks continue to plague the Big Apple’s subway system
Two police officers asked the men to stop smoking – which is banned in subway stations – and to leave. The men refused and began a fight with police officers, some of which was captured on video, before officers were able to arrest two of them
Patrick Hendry, leader of the Police Benevolent Association union, criticized the decision, saying: “It shows that the world we live in is completely upside down.”
“We need New Yorkers to speak out and demand real consequences for those who attack police officers.”
“Our streets and subways will not be safe if the police officers who protect them are not safe.”
McClary and Jessamy were charged with assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, violating local law and trespassing.
Authorities also released photos of the third perpetrator, but have not yet identified him. The police are still looking for the third suspect.
A video of the incident shows two of the men – McClary and Jessamy – striking one of the officers in the head before help arrived.
Several officers eventually handcuff the two men before the third suspect runs down a flight of stairs and escapes.
The police officers suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene, according to officials.
New York’s bail reform, implemented in 2019, eliminates cash bail in most cases – a progressive policy that has resulted in many criminals being released back onto the streets within hours of their arrest.
The reform also requires judges to consider a person’s ability to pay before setting bail.
Judge Eugene Bowen released Kareem McClary, 23, and Izayiah Jessamy, 20, without bail after they beat up NYPD officers
Authorities also released photos of the third perpetrator, but have not yet identified him. The police are still looking for the third suspect
The aim of the policy was to reduce the risk of someone being imprisoned because they cannot afford the cost of release and to reduce unnecessary detention.
But the well-intentioned law has come under fire from Mayor Eric Adams since its passage in 2020.
Adams, a former police officer, said in an interview, “This catch, rehearse and release system is just destroying the foundation of our country.” And that’s why we’re losing this election.
“Six in 10 New Yorkers in the Hispanic and Asian communities voted Democratic, compared to seven to eight in 10 last time.” We are losing the base of Black and brown people who really believe in these basic things. Public safety, housing, education.
“We can’t make excuses here.” We have to be realistic about what people encounter on the street.
“We need to go back to Albany…too many people in Albany have dug in and said, ‘If we change and go after this small number of offenders, we’re giving up on a reform that I stood for.’
“It’s a big mistake not to recalibrate because there are too many people who are repeat offenders. “They have decided that they are going to be violent on our streets and the unpredictability of their behavior is really…”
While overall crime in New York City is down slightly – under one percent – this year compared to 2022, criminal assaults remain a problem with a six percent increase
While overall crime in New York City is down slightly – under one percent – this year compared to 2022, criminal assaults remain a problem with a six percent increase.
The shocking more than 24,000 incidents occurred, according to John D. Macari Jr., who recorded the video of the attack
“Another NYPD officer was attacked while transiting through the Bronx.” “Apparently this happened yesterday,” he wrote.
‘As [NYPD Transit] Chief Kemper has repeatedly noted that the increase in criminal assaults is primarily directed at police officers taking enforcement action. Does this make you feel safe in NYC?
In addition to criminal assaults, crime on urban transit remains a problem that has been pointed out by many of Mayor Adams’ critics and progressive district attorneys in the city.
Subway crime is considered one of the city’s biggest crises. Although statistics show traffic offenses have fallen slightly, even progressive Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said he feared for his family as they rode the subway last month.
“I know the statistics that crime on public transit has gone down, but when one of my family members gets on the train, I get a knot in my stomach too,” he told FOX 5 News when asked about the perception of the subway -System was asked is becoming more and more insecure.
“I live here, I raise my family here, so we have a lot more work to do,” he added.
According to city statistics, serious crime in the subway system fell 9.9% in July.