New York State Attorney General Republican candidate Saritha Komatireddy visited 8th Avenue in Brooklyn with State Senator Steve Chan and elected officials such as Zheng Yongjia on August 1st. Komatireddy, who served as a federal prosecutor for 12 years, stated that the primary purpose of her visit was to directly listen to the community’s opinions on public safety and government governance.
Regarding recent stabbing incidents involving Asian and Jewish men in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Komatireddy expressed concerns about the over 26% increase in New York’s crime rate over the past seven years, particularly noting the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes. She pointed out that Asians make up less than one-fifth of the city’s population but have accounted for about one-third of subway crime victims; she cited the 2023 case of Gao Huimin, who died after being pushed onto subway tracks, as an example.
Komatireddy criticized the incumbent State Attorney General Chan Lok-ha for not adequately utilizing hate crime enforcement powers and relevant departments during her tenure. If elected, Komatireddy promised to review unresolved cases, make prosecution decisions based on facts and law rather than political or media pressure, and advocate for law enforcement personnel throughout the state to receive training on Asian crime and hate crimes.
Regarding the issue of homeless shelters in South Brooklyn, Komatireddy stated that New York’s homeless service expenditures have tripled since 2019, yet the number of homeless individuals has not decreased, believing that the government must first investigate where the substantial funds are actually going. She pledged that if elected, she would audit homeless shelters across the state, strengthen oversight on crime, drugs, and sexual assault issues. She argued that individuals with mental health and substance abuse problems should receive inpatient treatment rather than wasting taxpayers’ money on ineffective services.
Regarding projects that acquire public resources under the guise of supportive housing or affordable housing and convert them into homeless shelters, Komatireddy stated that the Attorney General has the authority to oversee real estate and non-profit organizations and should investigate if the use of public funds does not align with commitments. She emphasized, “If public funds are allocated for affordable housing, it should be used for affordable housing; if they are allocated for homeless shelters, they should be used for homeless shelters.”
She emphasized the need for increased oversight on public funds for homeless services, Medicaid, and other government programs, urging the Attorney General to investigate embezzlement, kickbacks, and excessive compensation to ensure that taxpayers’ money is spent appropriately.
Senator Steve Chan and Zheng Yongjia also pointed out the possibility of underreporting, downgrading, or inadequate enforcement in anti-Asian hate crimes, urging victims to report bravely. Komatireddy emphasized that justice should not discriminate based on race, religion, or political stance and that if elected, she would exercise the duties of the Attorney General based on “facts and law” to rebuild trust in the community towards the judiciary and government.