Senator Croci Calls on Governor & Legislature to Enact Enhanced Counter-terrorism and Homeland Safety Measures

Media Contacts:                                                                                                                                           

Christine Geed, Communications Specialist

geed@nysenate.gov or (631) 398-8044

 Jennifer Romero, Press Secretary

jromero@nysenate.gov or (631) 513-5657

PRESS RELEASE

Monday, December 21, 2015

For Immediate Release

SENATOR CROCI AND OTHERS CALL ON THE GOVERNOR & LEGISLATURE TO IMMEDIATELY ENACT ENHANCED HOMELAND SECURITY & COUNTER-TERRORISM MEASURES

As New Yorkers, We Have an Obligation to do Whatever We Can to Protect Ourselves From Another Terrorist Attack

Hauppauge, NY – New York State Senator Thomas Croci, Chairman of the New York State Committee on Homeland Security, alongside U.S. Congressman Lee Zeldin and others, called for immediate action from the Governor and the State Legislature to enact a historic package of homeland security and counter-terrorism measures in a special session of the Legislature.

The package of bills would be the most sweeping compilation of actions taken by the Governor and Legislature since the attacks of September 11, 2001, and aims to protect New Yorkers  through a comprehensive approach to combating terrorism by bringing forth proposals that will focus on preventing terrorist acts and being prepared to respond in the event of a future attack.

“ISIS has had two years, hundreds of millions of dollars, the sanctuary and the ability to plan, train and recruit for attacks on the U.S. The FBI Director, as early as last spring, requested State and local partners help in this fight, which will occupy our lives for years to come.  This bold package is the most impactful action our state government can take to protect New York – the number one terrorist target in the world,” stated Senator Croci.

Congressman Lee Zeldin said, “The terror attack in San Bernardino, California is just one of many examples of why we need a stronger, more consistent foreign policy and terror-fighting policy on a national and state level; and serves as a reminder that we must always remain ever vigilant even in defense of our homeland. I thank Senator Croci for his leadership on the state level to keep New Yorkers safe."

“Senator Croci and Congressman Zeldin have represented this country not only as servicemen overseas, but have also shown great leadership in combating the very real threat of terrorism in our own backyard. I offer my full support to their efforts to keep us safe here in the great state of New York,” said Mastic Beach Village Mayor Maura Spery.

"I want to thank Senator Croci for working to protect our community against any terrorist threat and for working to ensure the safety of the residents of the Town of Brookhaven with this legislative package," said Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine. 

The following legislation and proposals are included in the package:

1.  Immediate increased funding to state and local law enforcement (state, county, town and  village police, public safety depts.), fire service, and EMS for the following:

-- Stepped up enforcement (personnel and overtime), especially for public places and events;

-- Increased Training and preparations for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear   (CBRN) attacks.

2.  Enacting the nation’s first ever Terrorist Registry (S3464B - passed Senate).

3.  Call for Mayor DeBlasio to reinstitute the NYPD’s Special Intelligence Unit.

4.  Create a Special Intelligence Surveillance Unit of the State Police.

5.  S4122 Statewide firearms license for retired police personnel.

6.  S6032 Enabling law enforcement to enforce federal law.

7.  S2942 Soliciting or providing support for an Act of Terrorism (passed Senate).

8.  S4379 Assault of a member of the military (passed Senate).

9.  S4520 Murder of a member of the military (passed Senate).

10.  S455 Terrorism recruitment (passed Senate).

11.  S5349 Terroristic threat against a police officer (passed Senate).

12.  S3404  Cyber security study (passed Senate).

13.  S3405 Cyber terrorist crimes (passed Senate).

14.  S3407 Codify cyber security Executive Order (passed Senate).

15.  S6048 Iran sanctions.

16.  S5842A Real ID- Require DMV to comply with federal law in the verifying of documentation submitted by licensees.

17.  Permit all off-duty and peace officers to conceal carry statewide, including New York City.  Prohibit municipalities and individual public employers (individual police agencies, MTA, TBTA, PA, etc.) from enacting or continuing personnel policies that prohibit concealed carry (as some currently do). 

18.  Special Temporary Permit to authorize active duty military, National Guard, and reserve military members within the State of New York, with weapons training, to conceal-carry throughout New York State with agreed upon parameters.

19.  Request Governor support and request from Joint Terrorism Task Force regular classified homeland security/counter- terrorism briefings to select legislative leadership, in accordance with best federal government practices.

All media inquiries should be directed to Senator Croci’s Communications Specialist, Christine Geed at (631) 398-8044 (call or text) or via email at geed@nysenate.gov.  Inquiries for additional information should be directed to Senator Croci’s Press Secretary, Jennifer Romero at (631) 513-5657 or via email at jromero@nysenate.gov

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ADDENDUM – TERRORIST REGISTRY

Media Contacts: 

Christine Geed, Communications Specialist

geed@nysenate.gov or (631) 398-8044

Jennifer Romero, Press Secretary

romero@nysenate.gov or (631) 513-5657

PRESS RELEASE

Monday, December 21, 2015

For Immediate Release

December 21, 2015

FIRST STATE TERRORIST REGISTRY IN THE NATION

NYS Senator Tom Croci Passes Legislation To Create Historic First-Ever State Terrorist Registry Proposed to Protect the Number One Terrorist Target in the United States – New York

The New York State Senate is the first legislative body in the United States to pass legislation creating a Terrorist Registry, sponsored by Senator Thomas D. Croci (R-Sayville) and Assemblyman Michael DenDekker (D-Jackson Heights).  The Senate approved the measure in a bipartisan vote (Senate bill S3464B;/Assembly bill A6129B).

“The cascading deterioration of the security situation overseas and the growing number of attacks at home, law enforcement and New Yorkers are not being unreasonable in demanding convicted terrorists be registered,” said Senator Croci. “CNN recently reported that FBI Director James Comey has asked state and local law enforcement to help the FBI keep tabs on hundreds of individuals.  We must give our police agencies every tool we can.  You should know if the person living next door is a convicted terrorist, as we have successfully done with sex offenders.”

This legislation would:

Create the NYS Terrorist Registry, which is based on New York’s highly successful Sex Offender Registration Act, and will allow our state and local law enforcement to monitor any terrorist residing, working or attending an educational institution in our state.

Require individuals convicted of terrorism to be added to the registry by the Division of Criminal Justice Services. DCJS will create and publicize the registry list, making only non-confidential information available to the public and confidential information only available to certain government agencies such as the state police and NYS Homeland Security.

Change the current law to allow for local and state law enforcement to monitor individuals who have been convicted of a state or federal crime of terrorism, or who have committed a verifiable act of terrorism outside our state.

Require individuals convicted of terrorism to register with local authorities when moving to a new residence.

Make noncompliance of registration a class A-1 felony for those convicted of terrorism.

This bill was drafted in response to the identified need for a centralized state tracking system to assist law enforcement agencies with monitoring the individuals associated with carrying out domestic and foreign terrorist threats, as evidenced by the surge in homegrown acts of terror and the growing recruitment of terrorist sympathizers by terrorist groups such as ISIS. The need for this legislation is further demonstrated by the FBI’s recent appeal for assistance from local law enforcement and the public in helping to keep track of suspected terrorists.

This bill is currently in the Senate and Assembly, where it is hoped that immediate action will be taken to approve this legislation before the end of session.

All media inquiries should be directed to Senator Croci’s Communications Specialist, Christine Geed at (631) 398-8044 (call or text) or via email at geed@nysenate.gov. Inquiries for additional information should be directed to Senator Croci’s Press Secretary, Jennifer Romero at (631) 513-5657 or via email at jromero@nysenate.gov

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