In Bronx, moderate Congressman Ritchie Torres voiced his outrage against Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul’s management, holding them responsible for the recent slayings of three individuals by the notorious criminal Ramon Rivera. Torres strongly maintains that Rivera, who turned city streets into a personal battlefield, should have been subject to stricter supervision. He attributes these tragedies to administrative negligence and demands that those responsible be expeditiously dismissed from duties.
Congressman Torres has frequently separated himself from the commonly prevalent liberal views of his party. By advocating for public safety and expressing unwavering endorsement for Israel and Jewish inhabitants of New York City, among growing criticisms of the Gaza war and rising anti-Jewish sentiment, he has shown his moderate stance.
Ramon Rivera, a 51-year-old vagabond, has an extensive criminal history yet recently embarked on a murderous spree uninterrupted. The individual, despite his track record, was at large last week, leaving behind a terror-filled path across Manhattan as he committed numerous stabbings – a brutal rampage that claimed three lives from Chelsea to the East River.
According to police reports, Rivera began his homicidal frenzy by taking the life of a 36-year-old construction worker Angel Gustavo Lata-Landi in Chelsea in the early hours of November 18th. Subsequently, he slew Chang Wang, a 67-year-old fisherman near the East River, and finally stabbed 36-year-old Wilma Augustin near the United Nations.
Torres pointed to the city’s Department of Correction as the primary offender. In his view, the Department made the unforgivable mistake of prematurely releasing Rivera after a mere nine months into his 12-month sentence — a decision Torres deems ‘beyond comprehension and justification.’
The congressman argued that had Rivera received consecutive sentences for previous offenses, specifically an assault on law enforcement personnel, or served his complete term behind bars, the three New Yorkers who lost their lives would still be walking amongst us today. He stressed that such tragedies can indeed be prevented, but both state and city administrations lack the political determination to take the necessary measures despite having the means to do so.
Torres criticized Governor Hochul and other Democrats who control the state’s Senate and Assembly as being integral to the problem at hand. He believes certain policies enforced by the City have kept the Department of Correction from being held accountable for prematurely releasing Rivera, a flagrantly dangerous individual.
He opined that the gross incompetence of the City’s decision resulted not just in destruction but was fatal for the citizens of New York. In his view, the city’s shortcomings have caused immense grief to family members who mourn the loss of their loved ones, all because their government failed on its fundamental promise: to protect them.
Torres firmly asserted that officials from city and state must draw lessons from this grave miscarriage of justice. He proposed policy modifications that would effectively prohibit the early release of individuals who pose dangers to society and law enforcement personnel, along with individuals who commit crimes while under custody.
Reacting to Congressman Torres’ criticisms, City Hall agreed to investigate the circumstances that led to Rivera’s release. ‘We’re currently conducting an internal assessment of this case, and we greatly value the partnership of the congressman as we strive to ensure a safer New York City,’ stated an official representative.
Governor Hochul’s office reiterated her prior expressions concerning the Rivera incident. ‘We indeed must do more. There’s no question about it,’ she affirmed, assuring that she will employ every resource at her disposal to address this issue as she considers the current situation utterly unacceptable.
Simultaneously, in an act of shared outrage and concern, 11 lawmakers from federal, state, and city jurisdiction representing Manhattan sent an emphatic letter to heads of the Department of Correction, Department of Homeless Services, and Health + Hospitals. They vehemently demanded an inquiry into the omissions that allowed Rivera back onto the streets, free to prey on innocent citizens.
Their letter read, ‘Rivera was discharged into society without sufficient care or supervision. All evidence suggests that Mr. Rivera’s case seriously underscores the combined failures of our criminal justice and mental health systems operating in New York City.’
The legislators concluded, alluding to the high likelihood of preventing the recent tragic deaths, ‘The crimes Rivera committed could potentially have been forestalled.’