Recently, left-leaning New York State has moved to significantly liberalize the bail system for those accused of criminal behavior who are awaiting trial.
The new 2020 bail reform law eliminated cash bail for as many as 90% of arrests.
Now Democrats’ crazy pro-crime policies may have led to the devastating death of this New York firefighter.
Volunteer firefighter William “Billy” Steinberg, 37, responded to a house fire in an empty vacation home in Upstate New York on January 15 and then collapsed.
Forestburgh Fire Department Assistant Chief William “Billy” Steinberg, a fourth-generation firefighter who was born and raised in Forestburgh and loved by the community, passed away last month while in the line of duty. He was 37.
— Spectrum News 1 HV (@SPECNews1HV) January 28, 2022
The U.S. Fire Administration said that it was determined that Steinberg died of an apparent heart attack.
The fire was allegedly set by 32-year-old Mohammed Islam.
Islam is accused of breaking into the home and using paper and wood to spark the fire, which incinerated the house.
He has been charged with second-degree burglary and fourth-degree arson, both of which are felonies.
But according to criminal complaints, Islam had also been charged on January 14 – just one day before the fire responded to by Steinberg – for two previous fires, one on January 10 and another on January 13.
After the first incident, Islam was arrested and released, only to be arrested a second time for another incident where he allegedly started another fire.
State Sen. Mike Martucci (R-Hudson Valley) said that Islam was set free on bond just one day before the fatal fire because of the state’s bail reform law.
Now he is looking to change the state’s bail reform law with a nod to Steinberg.
In a statement, Martucci said, “Our state leaders should not need any more evidence that bail reform is a failed policy. Before one more innocent life is lost, action must be taken. Billy’s Law is a practice step with a broad and bipartisan consensus to address the dangerousness of repeat offenders and protect our volunteer firefighters.”
Jim Steinberg, Billy’s father, told the New York Post, “The system has failed our community, my family, and Billy. At this time, my family and I are pleading to the New York State Senate and Assembly to change bail reform to protect our firefighters and the citizens of New York, so they never have to endure this type of tragedy themselves.”
Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (D-100th Assembly District) claimed she would propose a bill “to make sure that this never happens again.”
Whether Gunther’s announcement signals a change of heart among Albany Democrats remains to be seen, but hopefully it signals a reversal of what has been disastrous and tragic public policy.
Stay tuned to Blue State Blues for any developments to this ongoing story.
