New York state Senators Fred Akshar and Mike Martucci were joined by local firefighters at Hillcrest Fire Company in Broome County to rally for the passage of legislation that would require bail and pre-trial detention for all felony arson charges. It’s known as Billy’s Law, named after a fallen firefighter in the Hudson Valley.
"As a young man, Billy learned and knew the difference between right and wrong and his loss is not to be taken in vain,” Jim Steinberg said.
On Jan. 15, Assistant Fire Chief Billy Steinberg of the Forestburgh Fire Company in Sullivan County died of a heart attack while responding to a fire that authorities say was set intentionally.
“The person responsible for this, since admitted to setting three structures in the last week,” Steinberg said. “If New York bail reform had not been in place by a prior administration, this individual would have been retained in the Sullivan County Jail the first time.”
New York state’s bail reform laws took effect back in Jan. 2020. It barred judges from setting cash bail for most lower-level and nonviolent crimes. The purpose behind it was to reduce the number of people in jail awaiting trial because they could not afford bail. Instead, they are issued an appearance ticket for court.
“January 14 of 2022, one day before Billy Steinberg died, fighting an arson fire that was set by that very same person,” Martucci said.
Currently, under the New York state bail reform, felony arson third and fourth requires that an individual be immediately released on an appearance ticket.
“And what Billy’s Law does is it takes every single felony arson charge including felony arson third and fourth and subjects those charges to bail so that judges have tools at their discretion to incarcerate individuals who set fires,” Martucci said.
Their calls are part of an ongoing debate, centering on whether judges should determine if a defendant is too dangerous to be released after being changed with a crime.
Last month, Gov. Kathy Hochul expressed support for the state’s bail laws but said she’d be open to discussing changes if data proves they are needed. And just this week, state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins criticized Republican calls for reform.
“It is very clear to me that this is a Republican national coordinated campaign of fear,” Stewart-Cousins said.
Even so, Steinberg’s family hopes for justice.
“Billy is a caring and dedicated young man to his community and to his fire service his entire life,” Steinberg said. “Billy was always concerned about the safety and welfare to his town and the residents.”
Although Steinberg is no longer here, his family, friends and the community hopes his legacy can live on through this legislation.