NEWS FROM
ASSEMBLYMAN DOV HIKIND

June 26, 2013

Contact: Yehudah Meth                                                       For Immediate Release

718-853-9616 (office)
 

HIKIND CAUTIONS CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS NOT TO UNDERMINE POLICE

WILL CREATE A CHILLING EFFECT

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) is urging members of the New York City Council to vote down a bill that would allow individuals to file claims of “profiling” against the police in state court. The bill, which looms before the council, would eliminate the effectiveness of the New York Police Department's stop-and-frisk tactic and result in increased crime and potential terrorism.

“We’ve had a remarkable, measurable downturn in crime,” said Assemblyman Hikind. “Stop-and-frisk is not a civil rights issue—it’s a proactive tactic used by police officers of all races to deter crime and save lives in high-crime neighborhoods. Do we want police officers who are assessing a potential danger to others to now factor in the fear of being sued because they frisked someone they considered dangerous? Officers need to think quickly and act quickly. It’s enough that they risk their lives in the performance of their duties—if we place obstacles in their way, then law-abiding residents will pay the ultimate price: Crime will increase and lives will be lost, all in the name of political correctness.”

In a letter to members of the City Council, Hikind urged the prevention of “a chilling effect” where cops become more concerned with keeping their jobs than doing their duties.  “Of course there are individual police officers—like politicians and business people—who abuse their powers,” he said. “When they are caught, they are disciplined or dismissed. But we can’t neutralize the ability to enforce the law and protect people because of the actions of a few bad apples.” Hikind asked the Council not to turn back the clock on crime prevention that Commissioner Raymond Kelly has put in place.

“And what of potential terrorists? This bill will certainly restrict law-enforcement’s intelligence efforts,” cautioned the Assemblyman, who explained that law-abiding citizens do not fear legitimate police work. “Citizens prefer the inconvenience of extra security at airports and public places to the potential tragedy of bombs and guns. We have seen firsthand the results of diligence in decreased crime. And, sadly, we bear witness to the tragedy of being unprepared when there are those who are determined to hurt us. The job of government is to protect its citizens. I urge the esteemed members of the City Council to put safety first. Your decisions on this issue may be the difference between life and death for innocent victims of crimes that can be prevented.”