COBA GENERAL ELECTION ENDORSEMENTS NOVEMBER 2020

Dear COBA Members/Retirees;

This November, we will see one of the most important election cycles that we have seen in many years when it comes to Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement. As you all know, Bail Reform, Discovery Reform, the repeal of Civil Rights Law 50a as well as numerous other pieces of legislation have sailed through our State Government much to the detriment of everyone in the Law Enforcement Community. These legislative actions were pushed through with little to no resistance because we now have a "One Party Rule" in New York State. Bail Reform was passed in the Budget process last year where no hearings were held or public comment allowed from the stakeholders like District Attorneys, Police and Correction organizations like COBA, or from Judges in this State.

We have all seen the result of these insane changes to the Criminal Justice System. A complete disregard for Public Safety in NYS. Spikes in crime, particularly with our neighbors to the west in New York City. A revolving door at Arraignment Court that dumps dangerous criminals on the street everyday.

And, just as important, the repeal of New York State Civil Rights Law 50a, the law that protected the personnel records of Law Enforcement in NYS from public dissemination. This means that dangerous criminals and Gang Bangers can now gain access to information in YOUR personnel file by simply filing a FOIL Request. This was all approved by a State Government that is currently functioning at the will and whim of anti-Law enforcement leftists, anarchists and self proclaimed Socialists. These are not the labor friendly Democrats that we all know and have worked with for years. The people pulling the strings in our State Government outright hate anyone wearing a uniform and moderate Democrats have yet to find the will to push back on them for fear of being targeted themselves.

A lot of bad things were done to us in law enforcement in the last 2 years.

If we don't get out the vote to push back and unseat those who openly vote against the interests of Correction Officers, we are in store for much more of the same going forward. These individuals oversee a government that has caused every single Sheriffs Dept in NYS to shrink by at least half over the last year, while simultaneously removing much needed drug, mental health and work programs from people who's last level safety net was the treatment they received in the Correctional environment. Because of Bail Reform, mentally ill and drug addicted criminals are dumped back on the street with little to no help. Diversion Courts have been effectively neutered while also giving dangerous criminals a Bill of Rights to intimidate victims and witnesses and and allows them to continue their activities while out awaiting Court dates.

This puts the public in direct harms way.

It is not clear what the ultimate agenda is for those who would revel in the demise of Law Enforcement. Make no mistake, "Defund the Police and slogans like ACAB" (All Cops are Bastards) most assuredly includes us in Corrections.

The general public and those of us in Law Enforcement need to be crystal clear in our resolve this election cycle. If a message isn't sent to Albany by law abiding citizens and those in our ranks by removing those who would seek to harm us, then we are in much worse shape than we realize.

Know the issues and get your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers involved. Educate them and make sure you get them out to vote.

Yes your job and your future does absolutely depend on it.

See below the list of Candidates Nassau COBA endorses for the reasons I have outlined above. The particular races we are keying on this year involve the Senate races on Long Island. Every single Democratic Senator in Nassau and Suffolk voted for Bail Reform, Discovery Reform and for the repeal of Civil Rights Law 50a.

Make no mistake they voted to take away YOUR CIVIL RIGHTS by repealing 50a.

Get out and vote them out!!!!!

Always in UNITY;

Brian Sullivan, COBA President

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United States Congress:
To fill the seat vacated by Republican Peter King we endorse Republican
Andrew Garbarino.