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SYRACUSE, NEW YORK 13202
INTERNET AND TECHONOLOGY SENATOR ROBERT E. ANTONACCI
50TH
DISTRICT E-MAIL: anlonacci@nysenate.gov
WEBSITE: antonacci.nysenate.gov

July 19, 2019

The Honorable Andrew Cuomo

Governor of New York State
New York State Capitol Building
Albany, New York 12224

Re: Alleged parole violation and subsequent manhunt for Christopher Block
in Onondaga County

Dear Governor Cuomo:

First, I would like to thank the members of your staff for their prompt attention to my phone
calls and outreach this past Thursday, July 1 1°’, and Friday, July relative to the
pursuit and subsequent capture of Christopher Block, a person alleged to have committed
a parole violation. I do appreciate their effort, as well as the hard work and diligence of all
state agencies.

However, based on the public comments of several law enforcement officials in Onondaga
County there appeared to be a lack of communication between the Department of
Corrections Division of Parole and local sheriffs and district attorney’s office.

I also note subsequent to the capture, for which we are all thankful, several editorial
boards and media outlets have opined on this issue in an unfavorable manner. I write
today not to point fingers or lay blame at any law enforcement agency but to ask for your
help in making sure we prevent any type of miscommunication like this in the future.

I realize each agency is sensitive to the job they do and protecting the public is of utmost
importance all the way up and down the government ladder. I also note for your
consideration the sensitivity in our community to ankle bracelets being cut off in light of the
David Renz case, which was a federal parole issue, but it severely shocked our
community.

I would like to assist in facilitating a more streamlined process to be utilized in the future.
Since similar ankle bracelet instances have previously occurred in Niagara, Monroe and
now Onondaga Counties, it would seem imperative to establish a set of protocols which
foster transparency and communication between these agencies and also better inform the
public regarding the status of the situation.

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Please advise when you or your representative plan to be in the Syracuse area so we may
schedule a meeting between the State and local agencies. Thank you in advance for your
anticipated attention to this important issue.

Very truly yours,

Robert E. Antonacci II
State Senator

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