NY’s soft-on-crime leaders created the serial menaces terrorizing the subways

Crime on the subways continues to be a major issue in New York City, with the same repeat offenders being arrested over and over again, only to be released back onto the streets due to lenient judges, the no-bail law, and prosecutors who drop or downgrade charges. According to recent statistics, there are 63 individuals with more than 5,000 arrests among them for crimes such as robbery, assault, and sex offenses, yet only about five are currently behind bars.

The NYPD is constantly arresting these chronic offenders, but they are quickly released back into society, often with minimal consequences for their actions. One such example is Carlos Baez-Caban, who has been arrested 48 times, including an incident where he allegedly bit a rider while stealing her phone. Despite being on probation, he is still out on the streets. Another individual, Shaquille Clarke, has a history of assaulting women while committing robberies, yet he too remains free despite multiple arrests.

Matthew Leon, a serial predator with 13 arrests for sex-related offenses, was only held after he reached inside a stranger’s pants and top earlier this year. These individuals are a danger to society, yet they continue to roam freely, posing a threat to innocent New Yorkers.

The leniency of the justice system, coupled with prosecutors who prioritize “justice reform” over public safety, only exacerbates the problem. Last year, a significant number of subway felonies in the Bronx were downgraded to misdemeanors, and the Manhattan DA’s Office declined to prosecute the majority of misdemeanor arrests. This lack of accountability for criminals sends a message to victims that their safety is not a priority.

Governor Kathy Hochul, Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, and other elected officials need to address the concerns of New Yorkers who have been victimized by these repeat offenders. Ignoring the issue in the name of ideology is not a solution. Zohran Mamdani’s belief that providing more government services to these individuals will somehow change their behavior is misguided, as they have already been through the system numerous times without significant improvement.

The only way to protect New Yorkers from these repeat offenders is to keep them behind bars and ensure that they face the consequences of their actions. It is time for a change in approach to criminal justice that prioritizes public safety and holds individuals accountable for their crimes.