Malliotakis, Tannousis, Carr Demand Raise the Age Reform, NYCHA Security Improvements Following Berry Houses Assault

Image September 30, 2026 Press Release (STATEN ISLAND, NY) — Following the horrific rape of a delivery woman at the Berry Houses on Staten Island, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) joined Assemblyman Michael Tannousis and New York City Councilman David Carr in calling on Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State legislature to fix the Raise the Age law. The lawmakers also urged the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to immediately install the security cameras, a CCTV system, and additional lighting that Malliotakis secured $1 million in federal funding for. According to police, a 37-year-old woman making a delivery was attacked, struck with a firearm and raped near the development earlier this month. A 14-year-old has since been arrested and charged with rape, assault, sexual abuse, criminal possession of a firearm and other offenses. Enacted in 2017, New York's Raise the Age law ended the automatic prosecution of 16- and 17-year-olds as adults, with felony cases generally beginning in a special Youth Part and many eligible for transfer to Family Court. The lawmakers are calling for a review of the state's juvenile justice laws to ensure serious violent offenses, particularly those involving firearms and sexual assault, are appropriately addressed and do not go before Family Court judges. In this case, the Family Court Judge set bail at $30,000 despite the District Attorney requesting $150,000. “This horrific crime underscores the need for Albany to revisit Raise the Age and ensure young offenders accused of serious violent crimes are held accountable. This case should be in Criminal Court before a Criminal Judge, not before a Family Court Judge appointed by soft-on-crime Bill de Blasio. I’m calling on Governor Kathy Hochul and the State Legislature to strengthen these laws, while also urging NYCHA to immediately use the $1 million I secured to install security cameras and improve lighting at Berry Houses. The victim deserves justice, and residents deserve to feel safe in their own neighborhood,” said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis. “This horrifying case is yet another example of why New York’s approach to juvenile justice reforms and public safety demands serious scrutiny. Albany Democrats championed Raise the Age and other policies that expanded the circumstances in which young criminals are handled through the specialized Youth Part of Supreme Court or Family Court. This has allowed these perpetrators to live in a world where committing some of the most heinous crimes imaginable will not mandate them to face the traditional adult criminal justice system. When an individual is accused of a monstrous act like this, our justice system must have the tools to protect the public and ensure that criminals face severe consequences. Staten Islanders deserve to feel safe in their own community, and we cannot allow policies enacted by Albany Democrats to embolden dangerous criminals. At the same time, the $1 million in federal funding secured by Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis for CCTV security upgrades at the Berry Houses must see immediate expedited installation. Those cameras, planned for building lobbies, exteriors, and elevators can provide residents and law enforcement with an important public safety tool that has proven to be more necessary than ever before," said Assemblyman Michael Tannousis. “I join with my colleagues in calling on the Governor and Legislature to fix Raise the Age, they said it best, it has been an absolute disaster. We have seen how much it has aided and abetted criminal organizations in putting out these kids who now have no fear of just punishment coming down upon them if and when they get caught," said Councilmember David Carr. "We need to make sure that criminals, whether they are new or career, know that they are going to face the long arm of the law when they break our laws." View remarks HERE . Malliotakis secured $1 million in federal funding for security upgrades at NYCHA's Berry Houses, including the installation of 128 new CCTV cameras throughout the development in building lobbies, elevators, exterior areas, roof landings and elevator machine rooms. With the funding already secured, the lawmakers are calling on NYCHA to move forward with these improvements immediately to help deter crime and provide residents, property management and local law enforcement with additional tools to keep them safe.