by DCG
Imagine believing you have the right to throw something at someone you believe doesn’t “respect” you. Demorats are unhinged.
From Fox News: A Republican bill that would increase penalties for throwing water on cops, after a series of incidents in which members of New York’s Finest were doused by bucket-wielding mobs, is facing some initial Democratic opposition months before the bill could even be taken up.
Republicans in the state’s assembly were angered by viral videos of cops being drenched by groups of local residents — with NYPD officers apparently feeling unable to respond and walking away. Police have since made a number of arrests related to the cases, but the incidents have sparked national attention, with President Trump calling the incidents “a total disgrace” last month.
GOP lawmakers are now introducing a bill that would make throwing or spraying water “or any other substance” on a police officer a class E felony and punishable by up to four years in jail.
Assemblyman Mike LiPetri, who introduced the bill, told Fox News in an interview Thursday that there are signs the bill has some bipartisan support from some Democrats — particularly in the state Senate — but acknowledged early signs of other Democrats pushing back in the Assembly.
“I think anything in Albany is always a tough fight, it’s just a matter of persistence and working together to unite not divide both Houses in making sure this effort is passed,” he said.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, who will decide whether the bill gets brought up for a vote, indicated his opposition to the measure this week.
Carl Heastie
“But I don’t know if always proposing new penalties and laws [is the answer] … I think on the positive end we should continue to try and establish more of a community and police response,” he said, according to The New York Post. “I think that’s more beneficial instead of always saying ‘we are going to lock people up.’’
“I think people should respect the police department but I think Police should also respect communities,” he added.
Read the whole story here.
DCG