MIDDLETOWN – “Public outrage over these types of incidents needs to rise to a new level and all responsible for releasing this guy into the streets of four county must be held accountable,” Middletown Mayor Joseph DeStefano said. He is referring to the incident involving Jerry Watkins, 52, the homeless man who, last Friday, attacked a Middletown Police officer inflicting injuries.
Watkins has been arrested dozens of times, taken to a hospital for mental evaluation and then returned to the streets.
DeStefano said Senator James Skoufis and Assemblywoman Paula Kay “have been very supportive and we need more voices heard from the public, police, DA and local officials if both parties.”
Watkins has been released every time he is arrested since his crimes to not rise to the level of because criminal justice reforms enacted a few years ago consider the crimes he has committed not eligible for bail.
“We must demand change. If New York City elected officials refuse to pass statewide legislation, they can at the very least give counties such as Orange the ability to control this type of behavior with bail and treatment. Time is now!” DeStefano said.
Police Chief John Ewanciw said it is unfortunate that it took a case of an officer being assaulted to place Watkins in jail.
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