Addabbo Supports Anti-Crime Legislation

Howard Beach, NY (June 9, 2016) From discouraging assaults on active and retired police officers, to cracking down on shoplifters who use special devices to avoid security detection, to tightening up registration requirements for sex offenders, the New York State Senate recently passed a variety of anti-crime proposals with the support of Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr.

“One of the most important functions of government is to help establish laws and policies aimed at keeping our residents safe from harm,” said Addabbo. “All of us deserve to live out our lives untouched by crime, including the most vulnerable among us and those who put their own lives on the line to protect the public. We need to fight illegal activity on many different fronts to both prevent tragic crimes and ensure that those who show blatant disregard for the lives and property of others are adequately punished.”

The roster of anti-crime bills recently passed by the State Senate, which are all awaiting consideration by the State Assembly, are as follows:

S.1827 would create new felony crimes to address circumstances in which a person assaults a retired police officer while believing that this officer was once involved, during active duty, in their previous arrest. Punishment for this retaliatory behavior by previously arrested criminals would rest upon the severity of the retired officer’s injuries at their hands.

S.5849 increases criminal penalties for causing the death of police or peace officers when the perpetrator of the crime was specifically attempting to prevent the officers from performing their official law enforcement duties. 

S.1849 would increase penalties for thieves who use and possess anti-security items – such as “booster bags” specially outfitted with heavy layers of aluminum foil – to avoid detection by store security panels and other systems when stealing merchandise.

S.424 would raise the crime of criminally negligent homicide from a Class E to Class D felony offense, which carries greater penalties and increased potential prison time, to more accurately reflect the severe and tragic consequences of these deaths. 

S.1340 would address the behavior of those who repeatedly commit misdemeanor crimes by creating a new felony offense of aggravated criminal conduct and imposing greater punishment on persistent offenders.

S. 4953 would make it a Class D felony, instead of the lesser Class A misdemeanor offense, when convicted sex offenders fail to register or verify their whereabouts under New York State’s Sex Offender Registration Act. 

“I hope the State Assembly will ultimately consider these common-sense proposals to protect our retired and active law enforcement personnel, cut down on thievery, require sex offenders to obey the law and ensure that criminals are held more responsible for their actions and the irreparable harm they sometimes cause to their victims and their families,” said Addabbo.

In the Assembly, the bills are under review by the two Standing Committees on Codes and Correction.