Two [Central New York] police officers were senselessly gunned down [on April 14] by a deranged individual following what should have been a routine traffic stop. The two heroes, Syracuse cop Michael Jensen and Onondaga County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Hoosock, died defending the communities they swore to protect. We all mourn these shining pillars of […]
Two [Central New York] police officers were senselessly gunned down [on April 14] by a deranged individual following what should have been a routine traffic stop. The two heroes, Syracuse cop Michael Jensen and Onondaga County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Hoosock, died defending the communities they swore to protect. We all mourn these shining pillars of service, and we owe them and their families an unpayable debt. Attacks on law enforcement in recent weeks have sent shockwaves through New York. From the horrific murder of Officer Jonathan Diller in New York City to the recent shooting in Albany, police officers are facing an unprecedented assault from violent criminals. As these attacks mount, I am continually disgusted by how little they have moved the state’s Democrat leadership to take any action. The response from the other side has amounted to little more than business as usual. Violent criminals have become emboldened, and the badge of law enforcement has become a bullseye. If these individuals don’t even second-guess shooting a police officer how are New Yorkers going to walk the streets safely? The Assembly Minority Conference has offered a series of common-sense proposals to help protect law enforcement and the public. Each remains stalled by misguided Democrat leadership. Among some of our proposals are:
•
Mandatory Life Without Parole — Makes life imprisonment without parole (LWOP) mandatory for defendants convicted of murder in the first degree or second degree if the victim is a police officer, specified peace officer, first responder, or correctional officer (A.7472, Angelino/S. 408, Gallivan). •
Hate Crimes Against First Responders — Designates offenses against law enforcement, emergency medical services personnel, and/or firefighters as hate crimes, thereby increasing the penalty for the offense (A.3417, DeStefano/S.6091, Murray). •
Imposing the Dangerousness Standard — Allows a judge to consider the safety of any person or the community when selecting a securing order on a criminal suspect. Requires the court to make an individualized determination as to whether suspects pose a risk or threat of physical danger to the safety of any person or the community and a determination as to whether they pose a risk of flight to avoid prosecution (Reilly). •
Reinstating the death penalty in New York state and make it an available sentence for those convicted for the intentional killing of police officers, specified peace officers, and first responders, among others. Further, mandate LWOP for cop killers not sentenced to death (A.3906, Barclay).
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week [is April 21-27]. This year, we remember several law-enforcement officers as we reflect on the lives of the many victims of crime here in New York. Every single one of these crimes is a tragedy, especially the ones that took the lives of those who died in the line of duty. In the name of officers Jensen, Hoosock, Diller, and anyone else victimized by senseless violence, Albany needs to stand with those who protect us and take action to support our police.
William (Will) A. Barclay, 55, Republican, is the New York Assembly minority leader and represents the 120th New York Assembly District, which encompasses all of Oswego County, as well as parts of Jefferson and Cayuga counties.