Rep. Katko, Local Advocate Bill Cregg, CNY Law Enforcement & Non-Profits Announce Legislation Aimed at Improving Pre-Trial Release Protections for Victims

July 8, 2019
Press Release

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK — Standing this morning at McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center in Syracuse, U.S. Rep. John Katko (NY-24) announced bipartisan legislation he plans to introduce this week in Congress aimed at improving pre-trial release protections for victims.

The bill is inspired by the work of local advocate Bill Cregg.  In 2013, David Renz disassembled his GPS-monitoring ankle bracelet while on pre-trial release, resulting in the horrific attack on Lori Bresnahan. In the six weeks leading up to his escape, Renz practiced disassembling and reassembling his bracelet, setting off 46 alerts that were not responded to by probation officers.  Following the attack, Cregg stayed on the scene until law enforcement arrived.  Since that time, Cregg has devoted much of his time to advocating for changes to federal law relating to pre-trial release.

“Last year, I had the privilege of meeting Bill Cregg – a true hero, and tremendous advocate committed to making our community a safer place,” said Congressman John Katko. “Pre-trial release plays an important role in ensuring the efficiency of our nation’s justice system. When properly administered, pre-trial release programs help to address the significant resource and capacity restrictions facing our courts. Unfortunately, as our community knows all too well, failures in this system have the potential to endanger innocent lives.  I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan Bill’s Promise Act, named in Bill Cregg’s honor, which will require a thorough review of our nation’s current laws surrounding monitoring practices for individuals on pre-trial release – including response protocols when an ankle monitor or other electronic monitoring device signals that an individual is violating the terms of their release.”

Katko and Cregg were joined this morning by Onondaga County Sheriff Gene Conway, Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick, former Assistant U.S. Attorney John Duncan, as well as representatives from McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center and Vera House, Inc.

Rep. Katko continued, “We are standing here today at McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center, and have representatives from Vera House with us as well.  These organizations, alongside our local law enforcement, do tremendous work to keep victims safe while domestic violence and abuse offenders await trial.  This legislation is vital to supporting that work, and to helping keep victims safe.”

Specifically, Bill’s Promise Act directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to:

  • Review monitoring practices for pre-trial release programs at the federal, state and local levels.
  • Outline response protocols when an ankle monitor or other electronic monitoring device signals that an individual is violating the terms of their release.
  • Provide data on offenses committed by individuals on pre-trial release over the past 10 years.
  • Examine potential issues impacting officer retention and the administration of pre-trial release services.
  • Issue recommendations to improve the administration of pre-trial release services.

This measure has the support of the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Sheriffs Association.

Terri Poore, Policy Director, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence said, "If our goal is for criminal justice responses to improve community safety, they must be effective. The Bill's Promise Act gives us a chance to look critically at pre-trial release, probation and electronic monitoring to prevent crimes like those committed by David Renz. We commend Rep. Katko and the co-sponsors for their efforts to prevent future needless tragedies."

“The Bill’s Promise Act will provide our nation’s law enforcement with the information about individuals on pre-trial release -- how they are monitored and how the conditions of their release are enforced,” said Chuck Canterbury, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police.  “Public safety should never be compromised.”