Audrey Harkins thinks that Trump’s executive order to eliminate cashless bail in serious and violent crimes is not just a good move; it’s something that’s been overdue for a while.
The 94-year-old was rushing to catch the E-Train in Lower Manhattan on June 5 when she was struck in the head. The alleged attacker, Edwin Wright, is a 39-year-old vagrant known to have a lengthy criminal history linked to New York’s contentious bail reforms.
“I believe any action that can steer this city away from its current course is a positive change,” Harkins shared with the Post. “The person who attacked me has been arrested and released over 250 times. What does that say? It really doesn’t make sense to me.”
This incident is just one of many examples illustrating how the 2019 criminal justice reform passed by lawmakers in Albany has impacted the bail system, making it non-existent for most offenses.
Wright, released after the attack, had previously been arrested for allegedly assaulting a 15-year-old boy in November, but was free because those charges weren’t eligible for bail.
“Without the NYPD, this city could descend into chaos within hours,” Harkins added. “But expecting them to keep arresting the same person—well, it just isn’t realistic. We need a city that feels safe and regulated.”
Laron Mack has faced over 200 shoplifting charges, but the state law still prevents a judge from allowing bail. This situation illustrates how critics argue that the existing laws might unintentionally encourage criminal behavior.
Trump’s recent executive order, signed on Monday, could lead cities nationwide to reconsider cashless bail for those facing charges currently exempt from bail. Cities failing to comply might risk losing federal funding.
Halbert Burke, at 58, had already accumulated 11 convictions since 2017 along with 24 felony arrests; however, he remains free due to the nature of his charges, which are not eligible for bail.
In fact, the laws seem to benefit habitual shoplifters significantly.
At just 53, Laron Mack has built up quite a record, with over 200 arrests before another incident in July, where he was again found stealing, this time at a Duane Reade in Manhattan.
Among the frequent offenders is Anthony White, who has been caught and released multiple times under the law, racking up a staggering 254 arrests.
According to NYPD statistics, as of July, just 1,288 offenders accounted for 45% of all shoplifting incidents across the five boroughs, making it clear that a small group drives much of the crime.
However, there have been dire consequences in certain instances. In 2022, 30-year-old mother Keayla Bennefield was shot while taking her child to school; she had previously sought help on social media after an earlier attack.
Meanwhile, Adam Bennefield, her husband, awaits trial on murder charges stemming from this incident.
