Stand with law enforcement
The men and women of law enforcement do an incredible job of protecting and serving our communities. Day in, and day out, the members of law enforcement ensure the safety and security of our families and do so with a deep and abiding commitment to upholding the rule of law.
Our police face daily dangers and work in some of the toughest, most stressful conditions imaginable. They never know what the next incoming response call might bring, what sort of dangerous criminal they might face, anywhere, anytime. Without question, we owe the members of law enforcement – every man and woman who wears the uniform and serves with professionalism and pride – a profound debt of gratitude.
Thugs disrespected and harassed NYPD officers
Like so many New Yorkers who believe in the rule of law, and respect the men and women who protect and serve, I was shocked and appalled to see members of the New York City Police Department ( NYPD) repeatedly harassed and assaulted by thugs. The string of incidents recently happened in New York City, as NYPD members had buckets of water dumped on and thrown at them, striking one officer in the head. One of the perpetrators who committed an assault was a gang member.
If you’ve seen video footage of these outrageous attacks you know that the NYPD officers showed incredible restraint and professionalism in their response. Fortunately, four of the thugs involved in the assaults on the NYPD were apprehended and will face justice.
Increasing penalties for menacing a police officer
It is vital that the men and women of law enforcement have every tool and resource necessary to help ensure their safety. Also, we need to send a clear message that harassment and disrespectful, menacing actions against the police will not be tolerated. That’s why I’m co-sponsoring new Senate legislation, Senate Bill S.6641, to assist in protecting law enforcement officers. This new legislation would make water tossing and other similar harassment and menacing committed against law enforcement officers a Class E felony.
Criminal- coddling policies in Albany set the stage for harassment, disrespect of police in New York City
The fact of the matter is that radical, criminal- coddling policies advanced in Albany by the Senate Democratic Majority have helped set the stage for disrespect of the law, and the men and women who swore an oath to uphold it, that we recently witnessed in New York City. Here is just some of what the Senate Democrats did this past session:
• Rammed through a “Criminal Bill of Rights,” which included letting dangerous criminals go free without bail, and providing criminal defense teams with personal information of victims and witnesses;
• Voted on State Parole Board appointees who expressed support for the Senate Democrat’s path of so- called “criminal justice reform,” even in the wake of the release of cop-killers like Herman Bell and Richard LaBarbera, who raped and killed 16-yearold Paula Bohovesky. LaBarbera is already back in prison on a parole violation. In contrast, Senate Republicans voted no;
• Voted down a Republican effort to pass the “Blue Lives Matter” bill that would have made attacks on police a hate crime;
• Reduced sentences for illegal immigrants who commit crimes for the sole purpose of helping them evade deportation, and also provided drivers licenses for illegal immigrants; and
• Closed three prisons. The Senate Democratic Majority’s leave-no- criminal-behind policies jeopardize the public safety and security of every New Yorker. This is not about partisan politics – public safety transcends political party labels and concerns us all. But facts are stubborn things, and the fact is that Senate Democrats have advanced legislation that puts criminals ahead of law-abiding, hard-working taxpayers. Now is the time for all New Yorkers to stand with law enforcement and for Democrats in Albany to recognize that their criminal- coddling must stop.
Contact and connect with me
If I can ever help, call me at (518) 455-2381, email me at jordan@nysenate.gov, visit my Senate webpage at www.jordan.nysenate.gov, or stop by my office: Room 508 LOB, Albany, NY 12247, or my NEW district office located at 1580 Columbia Turnpike Building 2, Suite 1, Castleton- Onthe-Hudson, NY 12033. You can also connect with me on Facebook (Senator Daphne Jordan), Instagram (Senator_ Jordan) and Twitter ( NY Senator Jordan).