Senator Golden: Penalties Against Those Who Lead Police on a Chase Must Be Increased

Brooklyn – State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn) today is announcing legislation that he has introduced, (S. 3508), that would increase the penalties for those found guilty of unlawfully fleeing from a police officer.

Golden, a former New York City Police Officer, is highlighting a police chase that ended in the Bath Beach section of his district yesterday, as the most recent evidence of the need for a change in New York State Law. This past November, an incident in the Marine Park section of Senator Golden’s district, saw 18 year old Natalie Ferber critically injured by a van that was being pursued by police for seven miles. This chase also left two detectives hurt.

Senator Marty Golden stated, “We have seen both high speed and low speed chases result in injury and death of police officers, pedestrians and other drivers. Current law for fleeing an officer in a motor vehicle is too lenient and individuals take their chances in the hopes to get away. We must deter this activity, similar to what we saw yesterday through Staten Island, over the Verrazano Bridge, and into through the streets of my district in Southwest Brooklyn.”

“There have been too many injuries and too many people put in danger, and it is imperative that we take this opportunity to enhance penalties,” continued Senator Golden. “We must act now before anyone else gets hit during a police chase.”

The legislation would increase the penalty for unlawfully fleeing a police officer from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony. Tougher penalties would be implemented for those involved in incidents where a police officer or a third person is seriously injured, increasing the penalty from a Class E felony to a Class D felony. The bill also calls for an increase from a Class D felony to a Class C felony where unlawful fleeing incidents cause the death of a police officer or a third party.

The bill is being considered for sponsorship in the Assembly.