CM Ariola questions NYPD on repeat felony assault offenders

Thank you so much, Chair.

Thank you so much for coming to testify.

And I will say that I was very encouraged by the takedowns of the crews in the areas.

And I want to just state that that is why it is very important that we maintain the gang database.

We hear a great deal about

Overall crime being down, but the NYPD's own figures show arrests of people with at least three prior felony assault arrests have risen 206% since 2018, from 86 people to 263 people.

Is that an accurate number?

So this year, we've had 263 individuals that have been arrested three or more times for felony assault, and that's up 205% compared to 2018.

And yes, that's three or more arrests this year.

So what does that statistic tell you about the condition of our criminal justice system?

Right.

So, so.

It is frustrating, obviously.

And I think, again, we are one piece of the criminal justice system, but only one piece.

And there's a limit to what we can do, right?

If we make the arrest and we present a good case, you know, there are other actors in the system.

Obviously, every case has to be evaluated on its own terms.

But it definitely, I think, as a descriptive matter, it is a problem.

It's a problem.

It is a problem if we are over and over.