WPCNR'S ADAM IN ALBANY. By Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley. 89th Assembly District. March 27, 2004: Prevention is the best way to keep our families and loved ones protected from terrorism. This can be accomplished by stepping up security at vulnerable targets, making it harder for terrorists to use their weapons of choice, and providing law enforcement with the tools they need to put terrorists behind bars.
I support a new package of bills to improve security at small airports like Westchester County Airport and other forms of mass transit, and terrorist targets like Indian Point and other nuclear power plants, as well as taking deadly weapons out of the hands of terrorists and bring terrorists to justice.
Preventing terrorism
Since the September 11th terrorist attacks, Westchester families have become increasingly concerned about the potential harm we all face due to the presence of the Indian Point nuclear facility. The Assembly’s plan calls for a resolution to be passed directing the governor and the state’s Congressional delegation to make the strongest efforts to obtain federal homeland security funding.
The Assembly’s plan also places private security services currently employed to safeguard nuclear power plants under the supervision of the New York State police and gives them peace officer status in order to better protect these critical facilities.
To protect us in the event of an emergency, the anti-terrorism package also includes a plan to develop a statewide communications system linking not only state agencies with each other, but local first responders with local agencies and with the state as well.
The Assembly’s plan would upgrade security at smaller airports and heliports that are not protected by the federal guidelines large airports abide by. Specifically, it would implement federal security guidelines for general aviation facilities, expand the availability of grants and loans to implement security measures, and require that all facilities enact several common-sense security measures.
Other security measures the plan includes would implement background checks for hazardous material drivers; improve security at chemical plants and reservoirs; and require the Office of Public Security to assess the safety of New York’s transportation system, such as subways, ferries and trains.
Protecting families from biological and chemical weapons
The harm and anxiety that could result from the terrorist use of chemical and biological weapons is beyond imagination. We need tougher laws to punish anyone who would unleash these inhuman weapons on our families.
To protect New Yorkers from the danger of weapons of mass destruction, the Assembly’s legislation would:
· make possession of chemical and biological weapons a felony carrying the punishment of life imprisonment without possibility of parole;
· make it a crime punishable by up to seven years in prison to send or place substances designed to resemble a chemical or biological weapon; and
· require the State Health Department to develop plans to prepare for and react to health care disasters.
Apprehending terrorists and their supporters
Terrorists use very sophisticated tactics to plan their attacks against our families. We have to give the police and prosecutors more extensive tools to combat these activities and bring terrorists to justice.
The Assembly’s terrorism package includes legislation that will crack down on terrorism by:
· requiring that tracer elements, or “taggents,” be placed in all explosive materials sold in New York;
· significantly increasing the penalties for money laundering to facilitate terrorism;
· increasing penalties for terrorist accomplices;
· requiring those convicted of terrorism crimes to submit samples to the DNA databank;
· adding terrorism to the list of crimes for which eavesdropping warrants could be obtained; and
· extending – and in some cases eliminating – the statute of limitations for terrorist crimes.
Improving emergency response
The Assembly’s plan would also create a task force to develop a statewide communications system which ensures that local first responders are able to communicate across local agencies and with the state. It would also enhance the ability of emergency medical service workers to respond to medical emergencies.
These new laws represent a no-nonsense strategy to fight terrorism and protect innocent people from attacks. New York is sending a strong message that we are serious about fighting terrorism and will take necessary steps to ensure the safety and well-being of all New Yorkers.
--- Adam Bradley, Assemblyman, 89th Assembly District, New York State Legislature
