Stec: ‘Protect those who protect us’

With about a month remaining in this year’s legislative session, Senator Dan Stec and his Republican colleagues today announced a package of bills aimed at protecting law enforcement officers all across New York State. This week commemorates National Police Week.

“Police officers put their lives on the line to protect us all,” said Senator Dan Stec.  “But with each crime-related law that comes out of Albany, the job that the men and women in uniform do for us seems to become more challenging and more dangerous.

“In response to the 4-year-old girl shot this past weekend in Times Square while shopping with her family, Mayor de Blasio promised more police,” said Stec.  “While that may help, what's really needed is more support for police officers and less anti-police rhetoric which I know can be demoralizing for them and their families.”

The Senate GOP’s legislative package, “Protect Those Who Protect Us,” includes legislation to strengthen penalties for assaulting a police officer; make it a crime to dox a police or peace officer simply because of their profession and with the intent to threaten or intimidate that police or peace officer; and create a hate crime against a police officer because of their law enforcement status.

Additional legislative proposals include creating new felony crimes for stalking a police or peace officer, encroaching on a police officer engaged in the performance of their duties and resisting arrest.

According to a recent State of Safety in America report by Safewise, New York is the “most worried about safety” state in the nation, with 70 percent of New Yorkers reporting that they are “concerned daily” about their safety. In addition, only 40 percent of New Yorkers feel safe in their everyday lives, while 78 percent think crime is increasing.

“Returning home at the end of their shift is a good work day for a police officer,” said Stec.  “Without them, communities would be much more dangerous and they deserve our support in the challenging work they are sworn to do on our behalf.”

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