Senate Passes Measure to Increase Penalties for Selling Drugs in Parks or on Playgrounds

The New York State Senate today passed a bill increasing penalties for people who sell drugs in playgrounds and parks. The bill (S.2173A), sponsored by Senator Martin Golden (R-I-C, Brooklyn), would further protect kids and their families from the dangers of people who prey on children.

“People who try to take advantage of our children should be dealt harsher penalties,” said Senator Golden. “We need to protect kids from the dangers of drug dealers, especially in places where they’re supposed to be safe – schools, parks, and playgrounds. This legislation expands on the work we have done in the past to protect kids from these predators in their schools and will hopefully make playgrounds and parks totally off limits to drug dealers.”

Current New York State law penalizes people who sell drugs on school grounds or day-care centers and this bill expands that to include parks and playgrounds. Drug dealers who target children are especially dangerous to society and should be subjected to stiffer penalties for selling or trying to sell drugs to children in this manner. This legislation takes the next step in targeting drug dealers who lurk in parks and playgrounds in an effort to take advantage of children.

The bill has been sent to the Assembly.