Support for Bail Reform Nosedives in New York

Support for New York’s controversial bail reform is collapsing amid media reports of defendants being released and committing more crimes, a survey said Monday.

A solid majority of state voters – 59 percent – now say that the elimination of cash bail for most misdemeanor and “non-violent” felony crimes is bad for New York, the Siena College poll found.

Only 33 percent of respondents said the law enacted Jan. 1 is good for New York.

The support nosedived further since a Siena survey last month – when 37 percent said bail reform is good and 49 percent said it was bad.

After the law was approved last April, 55 percent of New Yorkers said bail reform was good and 38 percent said it was bad.

Opposition to the law has increased across the board.