My friend was assaulted in broad daylight on a Manhattan street. She did everything right. She called the police, cooperated, and helped officers make an arrest.

But her experience exposed a larger problem. According to the complaint, the defendant was accused of multiple violent acts and charged with several offenses. Yet after that arrest, he was released, and the next day, another woman was allegedly assaulted. Another woman should not have to become the next victim.

This problem extends beyond one case. Official New York State data show that among people released pretrial from New York City criminal courts in recent years, nearly one in four releases were followed by a rearrest within six months. About 5 percent were followed by a violent felony rearrest. Those numbers don't mean that everyone rearrested is guilty, but they do show why New York needs a careful look at how the system responds when someone already facing charges is accused of another violent act.  

This isn't about circumventing due process. It's about making sure our laws and charging practices give prosecutors and courts the tools to respond to repeated violence before more people are hurt. We need a justice system that can intervene when there's a pattern of violence.

That's why we're calling for concrete action. A clear policy from the Manhattan DA for alleged repeat violence, an immediate review when a new violent offense is alleged, and a careful look at whether our bail laws give judges appropriate tools without eroding due process.

We should not have to wait for another person to get hurt before repeated violence is taken seriously. We need reform now.

New Yorkers deserve to feel safe walking on our streets.