“Acts of violence on any level will not be tolerated. The cowards who chose to start the new year by endangering the lives of others should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

 I offer my full support to the 103^rd Precinct’s Detective Squad and the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Unit. The safety of the residents of Southeast Queens is my first priority.

 I applaud and support Governor Cuomo and Mayor Bloomberg as well as the NYPD for their immediate call-to-action.”

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Malcolm A. Smith is the New York State Senate Immediate Past President Pro Tempore (2008-10). He currently serves as Secretary of the NYS Democratic Conference and ranking member on the Banking Committee.