WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES FEBRUARY 27, 2020 13
THE MTA IS AT IT
AGAIN
The MTA is at it again! They
have now proudly released their
Draft Plan: Route Profiles at new.
mta.info/system_modernization/
bus_network/queensbusredesign/
routes.
For some, especially those of us on
the 21st Street Corridor of Astoria/
Long Island City, it is an unmitigated
disaster, especially for the already
underserved ADA and stroller
community.
In their proposed revision of
the bus system in Queens, they are
completely removing bus access to
Queens Plaza and Queensborough
Plaza for everyone living along the
21st Street corridor.
The Q69 will no longer turn left
after the bridge. The MTA claims
access to the 7, but you will have to
walk up from 21st Street and Bridge
Plaza South.
The Q66 no longer comes from
Woodside to Queensborough Plaza
and Queens Plaza, and its replacement
goes to Roosevelt Island. This
will prove to be a hardship for
everyone who uses the Q66 to get
to either the Queensbridge F stop
or goes to QP or QBP. The Q100 just
plain disappears.
Not only do they have no ADA and
stroller access to the N/W in Astoria,
they are removing our ADA access to
the elevator at Queens Plaza.
Residents along 21st Street will
not have a single bus going to QP and
QBP as this proposal stands.
This will adversely affect everyone
who lives along 21st Street and
commutes to Queensborough Plaza
and Queens Plaza.
The end result is that if anyone
requires ADA access and lives along
21st Street, the only option is the F at
Queensbridge. Need the N/Q/R/W or
7? Oops. Sorry. Take a Lyft!
An additional loss is the ability of
anyone living along the 21st Street
corridor to connect to the bus lines
that go into Manhattan from Queens
Plaza North.
There is a provision to comment on
each line proposal on the web page.
We must do exactly that and spread
the word however we can.
Marc M.,
Astoria
LETTERS AND COMMENTS
SNAPS
THE VIEW FROM FORT TOTTEN
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OP-ED
New York bail reform
needs a quick fix
BY MICHAEL D. SAPRAICONE
While I understand the noble
ambitions of those who support
bail reform, which took
eff ect in New York state on Jan. 1, many in
the law enforcement and security fi elds
remain deeply concerned that we’ve
pushed the criminal justice pendulum
too far in the other direction.
We must continue to address social
problems like prison overcrowding
and equality in our court system, but we
must restore the discretion judges have
always been aff orded when it comes to
imposing bail. If we require judges to
adhere to strict and rigid bail guidelines,
then we also run the risk of encouraging
recidivism.
There have already been some examples
of this, and we’ve barely scratched
the 2020 calendar:
• In Brooklyn, a woman accused of attacking
three Orthodox Jewish women
was set free, only to commit a similar
off ense a day later.
• In Westbury, L.I., a 26-year-old man
arrested for a burglary spree committed
another burglary just hours aft er
his release.
• In Island Park, L.I., a woman with
a history of a variety of crimes was
released four times in seven days, even
though her family pleaded she be remanded
because of her mental issues.
• In the Albany area, a suspect with a
habit of robbing banks (a federal off ense)
was released without bail aft er — you
guessed it — robbing a bank.
• On Jan. 9, a habitual bank robber
was set free from yet another charge
because he used a note instead of a gun
to pull off his latest deed.
Legally, the purpose of bail is not
to punish, but to ensure that suspects
return for scheduled court proceedings.
But this is exactly where judges
and prosecutors require discretion.
If a suspect is likely to commit crimes
aft er being released, it’s not a stretch
to believe he or she might fl ee and not
return to court to face the original or
subsequent charges.
In recent days, both Governor Cuomo,
Mayor de Blasio, and the state Senate
leadership (all Democrats), have begun
pushing for changes in the new law.
Supporters of bail reform say a few highprofi
le cases are being sensationalized
and do not account for those who will be
responsible and return to face charges
for the crimes of which they’re accused.
That might be the case, but it still
doesn’t allow judges and district attorneys
to protect the public from likely
recidivists. They need the ability to consider
numerous factors in a suspect’s case,
including prior arrest record, risk of
fl ight, and cognitive ability. Fortunately,
returning this power to judges a priority
among some Democrats.
In its current form, bail reform in New
York state attempts to swing the criminal
justice pendulum too far, and it puts the
public at risk.
The new rules also aff ect victims and
witnesses and their safety. They also impede
law enforcement’s ability to conduct
proper and oft en complex investigations
which require more than 15 days, the
time new law gives them to hand over
evidence.
What’s required is a more measured
response to the social problems we all
agree must be solved.
Michael D. Sapraicone is a retired fi rstgrade
NYPD detective and CEO of Squad
Security Inc., a global protective services
agency based on Long Island.
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