Senator Golden Issues Statement Responding To Attack On Brooklyn Senior

STATEMENT BY SENATOR GOLDEN ON ATTACK OF BROOKLYN SENIOR CITIZEN

Brooklyn- State Senator Martin J. Golden, the Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, issued the following statement following reports of an attack in Crown Heights, Brooklyn of a senior citizen:

"Today, we learn of another cowardly attack of an 85-year old woman, Lillian France, because thugs believe senior citizens to be easier targets. The suspect probably failed to realize that based on the new "Granny's Law", when NYPD finds and arrests him, he will face more severe penalties for this crime because he chose to attack and rob a senior citizen.

I introduced and sponsored "Granny's Law", which Governor Patterson signed into law in May, because New Yorkers have too often witnessed these horrific attacks on the news and we can't allow these criminals to prey on the elderly. A person capable of attacking the elderly is not simply a mugger- they are a dangerous menance to society who should be kept behind bars for as long as possible. This is the first opportunity that I am aware of for justice to be served based on this new law. I wish the victim a full recovery and return to health, and encourage anyone with information to contact the NYPD."

Under the new law, if an assilant is 10 years younger than a victim, the bill will increase the penalty for assaulting a person 65 years or older from a class A misdemeanor to a second-degree assault- a class D violent felony that is punishable by up to seven years in prison.