By CHRIS GELARDI / NEW YORK FOCUS
When it comes to criminal justice, the story of this year’s State of the State address is just as much about what Governor Kathy Hochul didn’t mention as what she did.
While largely ignoring the state’s ongoing prison crisis, Hochul focused much of the public safety portion of the flagship annual speech on policies that would provide additional support to police.
BShe extolled her prior policing initiatives, calling attention to record-low reported crime rates in areas across the state — including in the New York City subway system, to which the governor has deployed the National Guard and state funding for more police. Despite a 16-year low in reported subway crime last year, the governor recently announced that she’ll be pushing for $77 million in additional funding to add up to 750 New York City Police Department subway patrols.