Sweeping police reforms are passing in Albany, following weeks of protest over the death of George Floyd.

The measures, altering the way law enforcement does their jobs across the state, are being met with some concerns.

“In the past, when legislation would come forward, there would be hearings,” said Rochester Police Locust Club President Mike Mazzeo. “I would get requests from time to time to go to Albany and speak.”

The bills included in Gov. Andrew Cuomo‘s recently introduced “Say Their Names” package answer some of the calls for change demonstrators are seeking.

Communityactivist Stevie Vargas, who is calling for police departments to be defunded, says you have to start somewhere.

“We need to start now,” said Vargas. “It’s go big or go home.”

So far, some cornerstones of the package have passed – including a ban on chokeholds, mandating body cameras for state police, prohibiting racial profiling, and making false, racially-charged 911 calls chargeable offenses.

Mazzeo says some of the bills included are already in place locally and that, with more time, more constructive reforms could be made.

“We’ll have the same kind of problem that took place with the bail reforms and then there will be a call to make some changes and repeal,” said Mazzeo.

The recent demonstrations also have Rochester’s Police Accountability Board asking questions.

During a meeting Monday, committee members agreed to extend invitations for talks to Rochester Police Chief La’Ron Singletary and Mayor Lovely Warren.

No word as to when those invitations will be made.

— 13 WHAM