FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: February 27, 2018
CONTACT: Erich Weyant| 716-796-1649 | erich.weyant@erie.gov
Majority Leader April Baskin to Focus on Bail Reform as First Part of Public Safety Initiative
Supports Governor Cuomo’s efforts at the state level, announces topic will be subject of her first Public Safety Roundtable
BUFFALO, NY – Erie County Majority Leader April N. M. Baskin launched her ongoing Public Safety campaign today, beginning with a focus on the issue of bail reform for nonviolent misdemeanor offenses. Legislator Baskin introduced a resolution outlining her support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s aim to eliminate cash bail for minor, non-violent crimes. The subject will also be the focus of the legislator’s first Public Safety Roundtable, which will take place in March.
“I am the proud representative of a socioeconomic and racially diverse district, comprised of African-Americans, Hispanics, Whites and a growing immigrant and refugee community,” noted Majority Leader Baskin. “As Chair of the Public Safety Committee, I am focused on criminal justice reform, and encouraging open dialogue between police and residents. With those goals in mind, I am proud to announce the launch of a series of Public Safety Roundtables. The goal of these sessions will be to improve public safety in Buffalo by strengthening the relationship between law enforcement professionals and the communities they serve, and to share and candidly discuss opportunities for reform and improvement.”
Through these Public Safety Roundtables, Legislator Baskin aims to continue a community dialogue about criminal justice and public safety issues and concerns in neighborhoods in her district with the intention of addressing systemic problems. Below are details concerning the first three roundtables.
Round Table #1 Bail Reform and Sentencing Disparities
Date: Wednesday March 14, 2018
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Frank E. Merriweather Library, 1324 Jefferson Avenue, Buffalo, NY
Participants:
- Saladin Q. Allah, Youth Advocate, Journalist and Author
- Frank Housh, attorney, civic leader and President of the local chapter of the American Constitution Society
- Andrea O. Suillebhain, Deputy Director, Partnership for the Public Good
- Rebecca Town, staff attorney, Legal Aid Bureau
Round Table #2 Reexamining the Use of Solitary Confinement
Date: Wednesday March 21, 2018
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: West Side Community Services Center, 161 Vermont Ave., Buffalo, NY
Participants: TBA
Round Table #3 Discussing and Reinstating Erie County’s Community Corrections Advisory Board
Date: Wednesday April 4, 2018
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Delavan-Grider Community Center, 877 East Delavan Ave., Buffalo, NY
Participants: TBA
Community members interested in participating in Legislator Baskin’s public safety roundtable should contact her office at: (716) 858-8869.
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