BILL NUMBER:  S6945

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the criminal procedure law, in
relation to designating certain employees of the Jacob K. Javits
Convention Center as peace officers

 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF THE BILL :

Designates certain public safety officers and supervisors of the Jacob
K. Javits Convention Center (JKJCC) as Peace Officers.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :

Section 1. Adds a new subdivision 84 to section 2.10 of the Criminal
Procedure Law designating public safety officers and supervisors of
the JKJCC Public Safety Department as Peace Officers. However, they
would not be authorized to carry firearms unless licensed and
specifically authorized by the Center.

Section 2. Provides for an immediate effective date.

 JUSTIFICATION :

The JKJCC helps drive the economies of New York State and New York
City, generating an impressive $1.5 billion in economic activity and
supporting 14,000 jobs. The Center is operated and maintained by the
              

New York City Convention Center Operating Corporation, a public
authority. The convention center has a total area space of 1,800,000
square feet and 840,000 square feet of total exhibit space. The JKJCC
occupies six city blocks along the Hudson River. As many as 35,000
companies choose it as their preferred venue every year.

The JKJCC is in the process of implementing improvements to its
security plan to create a safe and secure environment for employees
and visitors. Part of that plan envisions obtaining Peace Officer
status for the JKJCC's 50-plus Public Safety Officers and Supervisors.
Improvements in security systems and event security to date have
already had measurable impacts on theft reduction and incident
reports. The benefits of Peace Officer status for the JKJCC are
profound and would include, but are not limited to: extensive
counter-terrorism, active shooter and general law enforcement
training; more sophisticated and better equipped public safety team;
legal protection for the JKJCC and Peace Officer; and strengthened law
enforcement authority on JKJCC premises. Peace Officer status would
enhance and complement recent and ongoing security upgrades at the
JKJCC.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

New bill.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
Immediately.