Press Release: Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club Applauds Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg: Condemns Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell and Police Unions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Allen Roskoff, President Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club 
aroskoff@mac.com, 917-553-7180

Allen Roskoff, president of the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club today released a statement enthusiastically endorsing Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s policy and guidelines to deliver safety and justice for all. We consider Bragg’s proposals as essential, fair, and long overdue.

“For too long, Manhattan has incarcerated far more people than other boroughs.  The LGBTQ community, especially Black and Brown queer people, have suffered much of the brunt of over-policing for minor crimes and under-protection from serious offenses. As those who are repeatedly victimized, including by crimes of hate, we cannot condone unjust and punitive responses that have produced a system that creates cycles of violence rather than lifting up those who need help. 

Alvin Bragg’s plan promotes a balanced approach that is more just and makes us safer. He recognizes the harm of mass incarceration and knows keeping people in prison until they die only does further damage to vulnerable communities. It costs half a million dollars a year to house one person in prison, money that could be spent providing much needed services to under-resourced New Yorkers. Bragg's plan diverts cases rooted in addiction and mental health for treatment to conserve resources, reduces recidivism, and diminishes the collateral harms inherent in criminal prosecution. This plan not only makes us safer by not further destabilizing lives, but it also frees up prosecutorial resources to focus on violent crimes, sexual assault, and white-collar corruption. 

Meanwhile, New York City’s police unions, who oppose the plan, all endorsed Donald Trump; how can the LGBTQ community trust them to care or protect marginalized people? 

Unfortunately, one of the first acts of newly appointed police commissioner Keechant Sewel was to condemn the actions and reforms of newly elected District Attorney Alvin Bragg. We believe Bragg’s plan will be to be tough when we need it to be, but he will not seek to destroy lives through unnecessary incarceration. The Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club will continue to monitor the police department. 

Faced with this balanced approach supported by data, the police unions and police chief have attacked mercilessly with wild misrepresentations and hate-filled smears. But what is clear is the present system of mass incarceration isn’t working for anyone but them. We need change, and we applaud Alvin Bragg for having the courage to make it happen.”

###