New York state’s Raise the Age law is frustrating law enforcement's efforts to confront youth violence and emboldening those who commit it, Albany County law enforcement officials told county legislators Thursday at a joint committee meeting.

County officials, including District Attorney Lee Kindlon and Sheriff Craig Apple, addressed the meeting in the wake of a burst of violence that broke out in downtown Albany after the annual New York state July 4 fireworks show. Ten people were shot, including a 17-year-old who died from his injuries on Thursday, and two buildings were burned by a fire started by a flare gun, according to police.

Apple told legislators that he doesn’t agree with the way the law was set up. Kindlon said he is actively involved in advocating for changes to it, characterizing its effect on prosecuting cases as "frustrating."

“The youth know our options are somewhat limited when it comes to sticks,” Kindlon said, referencing the carrot and stick metaphor. “I think it's becoming increasingly difficult for us to manage the situation as that knowledge spreads.”

Youth that break the law know they will “walk right away” and nothing is going to happen, Apple said. He said he needs more deputies on the street and in the courts.

The Fourth of July violence in the state’s Capital City has set off consternation and finger-pointing among elected officials in an area controlled by Democrats. At Thursday’s meeting, officials took aim at New York’s Raise the Age, a law that increased the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 18. The first phase of the law went into effect in October 2018.

Kindlon said there have been 546 adolescent offender cases in the county between October 2018 and June 2025. "AOs" are cases involving 16- and 17-year-olds charged with felony-level crimes. The 546 cases in Albany County since the law was passed include 269 violent offenses, 142 of which involved a gun and 37 of which involved a discharge of a gun, Kindlon said.

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The number of arrests each year has remained basically static, he said. Last year, there 64 adolescent offender arrests, he said.

The county’s future policy goals and recommendations on the issue, according to a release from county Executive Dan McCoy, include:

• Further engaging with City of Albany School District

• Updating statewide Raise the Age and the prevention services funding model, and creating a grant process to cover upfront costs

• "Constructively" engaging with family court