A City Where No One is Caught Red-Handed

New York State is a catch and release state. Source: David von Diemar, unspalsh

Stationed on the corner of 1st avenue and St. Marks Place in East Village, New York is a cozy neighborhood bar known for inventive cocktails and seafood delicacies, but Goodnight Sonny is now known to me as a place where I saw my first shooting.  

Upon arriving at the bar half past 10, the white-titled mosaic floors quickly disappeared as more and more shoes covered the smooth title. As more friends, dates and strangers entered the narrow tavern, the volume increased and a stronger smell of sweat and beer spread across the dimly lit room. 

After chatting in my group of five, I needed to step out for air with a desire to hop on to the next lively bar that East Village had to offer a 21-year-old female. Once I gathered my friends and we walked past the bouncer and onto the sidewalk, I heard what sounded like the backfire of a car–but it wasn't. 

It was nearly 11:00pm when I heard the three gunshots and groups of civilians ran past me as I stood out in front of Goodnight Sonny. Following my deer in headlights phase, I pulled myself and my friends away from the corner and towards the end of the bar’s patio. Soon after, I looked to my right and saw the shot victim. The young man starts to strip and moan of pain from the hole on the left side of his lower back. As he cries “I was shot,” I could see dribbles of blood on his body. 

That night on October 21, 2022, I saw what is consistently reported on the news and a subject that our nation has become numb to. 

Within the month of September alone there have been 118 shootings in New York City. Even though September of 2021 was 13% higher, does not necessarily mean those shooters were caught and the City is safer. 

During August of this year, crime was up 36% according to the NYPD data. Some of these shootings could be an act by individuals who were caught and released by New York State; however, there is no present evidence that connects bail reform to an increase in crime. 

As of January 2020, New York State is a catch and release State, which allows those who commit misdemeanors such as shoplifting, drug possession or minor assault and non-violent felonies to be released pre-trial. According to Former Governor of New York State Andrew Cuomo, 90% of arrested individuals can return to the streets if they have not been convicted of a crime. 

Missouri, another catch and release state, reported having repeat offenders in jail after serving a couple months. This has been an ongoing issue that Sheriff Chris Jennings of Newton County in southwest Missouri faced. 

“Average is one to three months for every year they’re sentenced, we recently had a man who was sentenced to seven years, he served nine months, and within a week of being out, we’ve got him back in jail for robbery,” Jennings told KSN. 

At a City Hall news conference in July, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said “‘Catch, release, repeat’ cannot be a criminal justice mantra.”

“They’re repeated offenders and if we don’t stop that flow, we’re going to have a harder time of getting these numbers under control,” Adams said. 

While plausible solutions may be underway, shootings and other crimes may not be an unexpected event in the future. 

Currently, there is no update as to if the East village shooter has been caught since October 21, if they will be jailed when caught, or will be released.  

As of now, it is another shooting added to an already long list.