In response to a wave of horrific attacks on police officers and first responders throughout the country in recent months, Assemblyman Karl Brabenec (R,TCN-Deerpark) is fighting to pass Blue Lives Matter legislation before session adjourns in two weeks. The bill, which would designate certain crimes against police, firefighters and emergency services as hate crimes, is being blocked in the Assembly Codes Committee.

“To intentionally try to harm the men and women, many of whom are unpaid volunteers, who put their lives on the line for us each day is nothing short of disgusting,” Brabenec said. “I, along with many of my colleagues in the Legislature, have been appalled by the disdain for law enforcement over the past several years, and this has led to the senseless and violent attacks against our public safety community.

“If you attack police or first responders you should go to prison-plain and simple, and this bill is a good first step toward that goal.”