Southtowns Record

Town Board Regular Meeting Agenda, Nov 2, 2026 — Agenda

Government
Town of Hamburg
Board
Town Board
Meeting
Nov 2, 2026
Kind
Agenda
Topics
Zoning and land use, Budget and taxes, Water, sewer and drainage, Public safety, Moratoriums, Parks and recreation, Energy and data center siting, Audits and oversight

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Town Board of the Town of Hamburg
November 2, 2026 Meeting
4.7. Urging New York State to Amend Criminal Procedure Law for Repeat Juvenile Offenders and
Restore Judicial Discretion

WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Hamburg is committed to protecting the safety, welfare,
and quality of life of its residents; and

WHEREAS, municipalities throughout Erie County and New York State have experienced incidents
involving repeat juvenile offenders, including vehicle thefts, property crimes, and other offenses that
have significant impacts on residents, businesses, and law enforcement resources; and

WHEREAS, local governments and law enforcement agencies have expressed concerns regarding the
ability to effectively address repeat juvenile offending while ensuring accountability, and public safety;
and

WHEREAS, the Town Board recognizes the importance of balancing rehabilitation opportunities for
youth with the need to protect victims and communities from repeated criminal behavior; and

WHEREAS, repeated criminal activity, court-related noncompliance, and property offenses committed
by repeat offenders may result in increased expenditures of municipal resources, including law
enforcement response, public safety services, court administration, and related governmental functions;
and

WHEREAS, enhancing public safety tools and improving accountability for repeat offenders may help
reduce the long-term financial burden on local governments and taxpayers.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Hamburg Town Board respectfully urges the New
York State Legislature to review and amend existing laws, where appropriate, to restore judicial
discretion in release and detention determinations to address repeat juvenile offending and chronic
failures to appear in court; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that such review should consider measures that enhance judicial
discretion, improve accountability for repeat offenders, support victims of crime, and strengthen public
safety while preserving appropriate rehabilitation opportunities for youth; and

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