Bail reform is not leading to an increase in crime, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander told Errol Louis on "Inside City Hall" Monday.

A new report from his office looked at month-by-month crime data since the bail reform laws were implemented and concluded there was no evidence the elimination of cash bail impacted crime rates. According to the report, 95% of New Yorkers awaiting trial are not rearrested and 99% are not rearrested for violent crimes. Prior to bail reform, 96% of those awaiting trial were not rearrested.

“We thought it was really important for people to be guided by facts rather than fear in making public policy,” Lander said. “There is no doubt people are anxious. People see that crime is rising. They see a horrific incident on the news and of course you think ‘what’s going on?’”

"We need to be smart about public safety, but rolling back bail reform? The evidence says it won't do it," he added.

The statistics in the report show rolling back bail reform won’t have an impact on crime, he says. Instead, Lander believes the pandemic, in part, caused the increased rates.

Lander also confirmed he is still the comptroller after learning of an obscure provision that required him to file a surety bond with the city’s clerk office by Jan. 31. He’s asked the state legislature to alter the state law to expand the timeframe for the filing.

“I’m carrying it with me at all times,” Lander said, displaying the document in studio. He says his office cannot find any evidence previous comptrollers completed the requirement either.

SANITATION CUTS

Mayor Eric Adams proposed more than $2 billion in budget cuts for the next fiscal year. Lander supports the overall number, but he says some cuts make little sense to him.

The comptroller praised Brooklyn Councilwoman Sandy Nurse for fighting to restore funding back to the sanitation department. He says New Yorkers are telling him the city needs to be cleaner.

“The city is filthy so why are we cutting sanitation services,” Lander said. “We do need to save for a rainy day, but boy right now on a rainy day in New York City you need better sewer infrastructure.”

THE CITY'S ECONMOIC RECOVERY

As cases decline after the Omicron surge this winter, Lander says the city economy is showing signs of being back on track. Broadway shows in February filled 92% of their seats, he said.

Lander believes infrastructure money from the federal government as well as city investments in climate technology will help create new jobs and bolster the city’s economy in the long term.

“We do need that next generation of jobs to really bring the city back,” Lander said.

In February, only 35% of Midtown office spaces were occupied, according to Lander.

Lander also discussed overhauling the property tax system, government contractor waste and ethics reform, and divesting city pension funds from Russian firms,