Governor Hochul Signs New Legislation to Fight Crime and Keep New Yorkers Safe

 

Fighting Harassment or Threats Against New Yorkers Who Wear Religious Clothing, Like a Yarmulke or Hijab

Expanding Eligibility For School-Based Anti-Violence Programming To Protect At-Risk Youth

Taking Action Against Cell Phone Theft Through "Detective Brian Simonsen's Law"

Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation to fight crime and keep New Yorkers safe. The three new laws protect individuals from hate-fueled violence, enhance anti-violence education in schools and crack down on stolen cell phones.

“Public safety is my top priority, and I'm committed to using every possible tool to keep New Yorkers safe,” Governor Hochul said. “The data is clear: New York has gotten safer since I took office in 2021, but there is more to do to stop hate and prevent violence in our communities. Signing these bills today will create three new laws to help protect New Yorkers and further reduce crime.”

Violence and crime continue to decline across New York State, with shootings in communities participating in the State’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative down 26 percent through October and overall crime is down 11 percent through the first six months of the year outside of New York City. GIVE jurisdictions account for roughly 90 percent of violent crimes involving firearms and 85 percent of violent crime reported outside New York City. Last week, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the State’s one-of-a-kind network of Crime Analysis Centers was recognized with an Excellence in the Field of Criminal Justice Award, one of six presented recently by the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance to mark the 40th anniversary of the federal law that created the bureau. The State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) funds and supports 11 Crime Analysis Centers statewide in partnership with local law enforcement agencies. Staff at these Centers handled nearly 95,000 requests for service in 2023, providing critical data analysis, information and investigative support to help local law enforcement agencies deter, investigate and solve crimes.

Legislation S5302/A8849 amends State law to classify removal or threat of removal of religious clothing, such as a yarmulke or hijab, as aggravated harassment in the second degree. Over the past year, there have been multiple incidents where individuals' religious clothing has been threatened in acts of hateful violence.

Legislation S4598D/A4917D would allow anti-violence educational programs to receive funding from the Omnibus School Violence Prevention Grant program. Newly-eligible programs would provide evidence-based trauma support for at-risk youth, group counseling and anti-violence education.

Legislation S7739B/A8994A enacts "Detective Brian Simonsen's Law", which aims to crack down on cell phone theft by requiring wireless service providers disable services to stolen wireless phones. The law is named after Detective Brian Simonsen, a heroic NYPD officer who lost his life in 2019 while responding to an armed robbery at a cell phone store.