A far-left Brooklyn pol is hoping the third time\u2019s a charm with socialist Zohran Mamdani now NYC mayor as she pushes legislation that could give \u201cyoung people\u201d carte blanche to commit crimes without fear of being arrested.<\/p>\n
The legislation, reintroduced for a third time on Jan. 29 by Democratic Councilwoman Crystal Hudson, would require that \u201cyoung people\u201d be \u201cdiverted\u201d to \u201ccommunity-based organizations<\/a> to receive services in lieu of criminal enforcement.\u201d<\/p>\n However, the bill fails to define \u201cyoung\u201d or what crimes it covers.<\/p>\n NYC Councilwoman Crystal Hudson is betting on socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani as she pushes legislation that \u2014 as written \u2014 could give \u201cyoung people\u201d carte blanche to commit crimes without fear of being arrested. Robert Miller<\/p>\n It also offers little information about what organizations those subject to arrest will be diverted to beyond that they\u2019ll be nonprofits providing services to a \u201cparticular community or trade union that offers apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship programs.\u201d <\/p>\n Some cities \u2013 including NYC, Los Angeles and Miami \u2013 already have programs in place to divert youths from jail and to community-based services to prevent recidivism, but Hudson\u2019s bill would make it law. <\/p>\n Hudson\u2019s bill was previously introduced during the 2022-23 and 2024-2025 Council sessions, attracting only 11 and seven co-sponsors, respectively, and failing to reach the full Council for a vote.<\/p>\n The current version has five co-sponsors so far. <\/p>\n Twenty-six are needed for passage and 34 to make it veto-proof.<\/p>\n But with comrade Mamdani \u2014 whose soft-on-crime tactics since taken office include dropping plans to increase the Police Department\u2019s ranks<\/a> by 5,000 officers \u2014 at Gracie Mansion, Hudson\u2019s best shot could be now.<\/p>\n \u201cShe has a listening ear with a mayor who would like to see nobody put in jail,\u201d said Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Queens). <\/p>\n \u201cIn the past, not only was there no appetite for this kind of thing on the Council, but if it did pass, it would likely get vetoed. Councilmember Hudson is betting on that not happening with this administration \u2013\u00a0and that is a good bet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is much too vague as written,\u201d Ariola added. \u201cWe need a clear definition of what a \u2018young person\u2019 is. Nobody wants to see ten-year-olds in jail, but we also don\u2019t want violent 17-year-old offenders skirting justice either.\u201d<\/p>\n Mamdani \u201clook[s] forward to reviewing this legislation and discussing it with the City Council,\u201d his spokesman said. AP<\/p>\n The radical left has pushed the kid gloves treatment before in New York \u2014 with disastrous results. The Raise the Age law, which took effect in 2019, increased the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 18. That\u2019s meant the vast majority of 16- and 17-year-old offenders are routed to Family Court \u2013where they typically avoid jail and prison. <\/p>\n Youth violence across New York City hit historic highs<\/a> during 2025, with staggering numbers of shooters and shooting victims falling under the age of 18.<\/p>\n Last year, 14% of shooting victims and 18% of shooters were youths \u2013 the highest numbers since the NYPD began tracking the incidents in 2018, Commissioner Jessica Tisch said in January.<\/p>\n