"Defund the police" doesn't work -- and mayors are finding out the hard way

Start with some immediate adjustments to New York’s criminal-justice reform laws. First, readjust the timeframe for attorneys to engage in discovery. Then, eliminate suspects’ access to crime scenes and provide judges with discretion to hold potentially dangerous defendants or, at the very least, force them to post meaningful bail.

Once Eric Adams becomes mayor, he needs to have a sober sit-down with the city’s district attorneys — and read them the Riot Act. Incoming Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg has already posted a laundry list of crimes he won’t prosecute. Adams should make clear that tolerating lawlessness will have consequences for any of the DAs — look at Boudin.

Fact is, deterrence matters. Criminals are opportunists; if they aren’t deterred, they’ll take advantage of your leniency. We can’t have defense attorneys masquerading as DAs.