Former Democratic New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind criticized Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Monday for downplaying crime in major cities across the U.S.
Ocasio-Cortez told the Washington Times that “a lot of these allegations of organized retail theft are not actually panning out.”
Hikind replied that Ocasio-Cortez was “out of control.”
“All she’s interested is defund the police, close the prisons down, defund the prisons,” he said on Fox News. “I think it’s time to defund AOC. She’s a danger. I really think she’s a danger. These crimes that are being committed, there are real victims out there.”
He also said her bail reform is “ridiculous” and that she’s a “disaster for the average American.”
“AOC doesn’t care about victims,” Hikind argued. “She cares about the criminals.”
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Hikind also asked why the members of his party were not supporting the victims of crime.
“Republicans are speaking out on this,” Hikind said. “Where are people from my Democratic Party, are they blind? Maybe AOC is blind. Clearly, she doesn’t see it. Where are the others in the Democratic Party to stand up and defend the innocent people of this country who are being victimized by criminals?” (RELATED: Columbia University Student Stabbed To Death Coming Home From Soccer Game)
The former assemblyman claimed that Democrats were afraid of Ocasio-Cortez and those further to the left within the party.
“When good people are silent. Democrats I’m talking about, then we are in real trouble and that is exactly what’s going on,” Hikind said.
Hikind also commented on White House press secretary Jen Psaki and her claim that COVID-19 was the reason for the rise in crime.
“This administration is out of control,” Hikind said. “This administration, you know, you’ve got to blame, you blame Trump, you blame the pandemic. Why don’t they look in the freaking mirror? They are responsible.”
Los Angeles has seen a 46.7% increase in homicides since 2019, as well as a 53% rise in car thefts since the same year. New York City has also experienced rising criminal activity recently, including a 25% increase in crimes committed on public transit since the spring of 2021.