Assemblyman Karl Brabenec (R,TCN-Deerpark) today announced that he is championing legislation to make certain crimes against some emergency medical services personnel, firefighters and law enforcement hate crimes under New York State law. Brabenec, a strong proponent of law enforcement and a former locally-elected official, said our men and women in blue have come under undue criticism in years past and we need to do all we can to protect them.

“This is a measure that is extremely important to me,” Brabenec said. “Our men and women on the frontlines of law enforcement and public safety have come under harsh and unnecessary criticism in past years from the public and media and that is unfair and disrespectful. These are people who put their lives on the line each day to protect their neighbors and community, and oftentimes risk their lives for complete strangers.

“Targeting police or emergency services personnel is absolutely abhorrent and those who do so should pay a heavy price for their petulant and disgusting acts. I am calling on Assembly leadership to bring this bill to the floor for a vote and urge my colleagues to support this legislation.”