Siena poll points to crime issue, masking debate

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. (WHEC) — A Siena College research poll took to a number of ongoing discussions across New York State. It focused on mask mandates, crime, bail reform, and other politics.

The mask mandate issue as been pressing, as neighboring states New Jersey and Connecticut have opted to nix it in schools. However, according to the poll, 58% of voters want to wait for early March before a decision is made. Nearly a third (30%) of people think it should have ended already.

Crime and bail reform have also been huge topics, especially locally in Rochester. 60% of people who voted in the poll agree that the uptick in crime is a serious problem for New York to address. 31% say it’s somewhat serious.

One of the ways New Yorkers think that can be solved is by bail reform. The poll’s data says that by a 65-27% margin, "voters say ‘the so-called bail reform law should be amended to give judges more discretion to keep dangerous criminals off the streets.’

Click here for full results to the Siena College poll.