Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski, D-New City, was a main sponsor of the proposal in the Assembly.

State and local law enforcement agencies increasingly rely on these animals in crime solving, rescue and recovery operations. Under current law, killing a police animal is a misdemeanor.

The legislation passed by both houses on Tuesday would make harming the animals a felony, punishable by up to 4 years in prison, the highest penalty for killing an animal in the state.

“The role of police animals has significantly expanded over the past few years leading to increased use in investigations and apprehensions,” Zebrowski said in a statement “These animals provide protection, assistance and improve public safety.”

“State and local police invest a great deal of time and resources in the training of these extraordinary animals,” he said. “These animals are viewed and respected as ordinary police officers and we should begin to reflect that by increasing the penalty for killing them.”

The rest of the Zebrowski press release says:

Sen. George D. Maziarz, R-C, Newfane, also sponsored the proposed law that helps recognize the important roles these animals have in crime solving, rescue and recovery operations and other duties by creating a felony-level offense.

“Police animals do a remarkable job protecting and serving the citizens of this state,” Maziarz said in a statement released by Zebrowski’s office.

“In 2011, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office lost their K-9, Rocky, when he fell off a roof tracking clues regarding a robbery,” Maziarz said. The use of police animals is increasing and they continually undertake tasks that our own police officers do. It is time that we provide these animals the protection they deserve under the law when they are injured or die in the line of duty.”

In addition to the loss of Rocky, another high-profile death of a police animal came in March 2013 when Ape, a newly-trained FBI dog, was fatally shot as police searched for Kurt Myers – a suspect in the deaths of four people in Herkimer.

“The role of police animals has significantly expanded over the past few years leading to increased use in investigations and apprehensions,” Zebrowski said. “These animals provide protection, assistance and improve public safety. State and local police invest a great deal of time and resources in the training of these extraordinary animals. These animals are viewed and respected as ordinary police officers and we should begin to reflect that by increasing the penalty for killing them.”

Photo: Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski

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He didn’t get state prison time – facing a maximum of seven years – because the boy’s family didn’t want the child to testify, tying the hands of the Rockland District Attorney’s Office.

But the 59-year-old unemployed father of five children didn’t make life easy for his lawyer, Kenneth Gribetz, the former Rockland County prosecutor. He lives off of food stamps and gets Section 8 rental subsidies.

First off, Turner’s pre-sentence report by Rockland County probation officer recommended six months in jail.

Justice William Kelly said the report stated Turner was seemingly trying to blame the 14-year-old, calling the youngster sexually aggressive and a wild child.

Kelly allowed Gribetz a recess so he could talk to turned. Gribetz could be heard telling Turner it’s time to stop the nonsense (cleaned up version).

At some point, when Kelly was talking, Turner’s cell phone went off, leading to a rebuke from Gribetz.

After Kelly classified Turner as a Level 2 sex offender, Turner asked Gribetz why not the lowest designation – Level 1.

See full article on lohud.com

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The event starts with cocktails at 7 p.m., followed by a prime rib dinner and ceremony. The honors include outstanding investigative award, unit appreciation award, and civilian award.

Rockland District Attorney Thomas Zugibe is the scheduled speaker.

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Coyle was released from Nyack Hospital on Monday for arraignment on a felony charge of driving drunk and causing a head-on crash with another vehicle in which the daughter of the former Stony Point supervisor suffered serious injuries. He had been held police custody at Nyack Hospital following the crash on Route 9W at 5 p.m. Friday. He had been in serious but stable condition following the crash, police said.

Alysoun Sherwood, 48, a former Stony Point resident now living in Highland Falls, underwent seven hours of surgery at Westchester Medical Center. She remained hospitalized on Monday.

Hospital spokesman David Billig didn’t return telephone call for comment.

Read more at lohud.

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Spitzer is charged with third-degree assault, a misdemeanor, and accused of intending to physically harm the child. Spitzer slapped the victim “numerous times on the left side of his face and left ear,” according to the complaint.

A message left for Spitzer at his Brooklyn home has not been returned on Monday. Spring Valley police declined to return telephone calls for comment.

Read more at lohud.

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Mulqueen said on his public Facebook page that he was “anxious to start killing various public officials” and wanted “all followers of President Barack Obama dead,” calling them “traitor scum” and declaring “death to them all,” Clarkstown police said after arresting Mulqueen on Wednesday.

Police searched Mulqueen’s residence on Freedman Avenue in Nanuet and found body armor, two rifles, two rifle bayonets and about 100 rounds of ammunition, including 27 rounds of .50-caliber armor-piercing bullets, known as tank busters, police said. The officers also seized a rifle scope, a sword and a metal knuckle knife.

Mulqueen faces one count of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, three counts of making terrorist threats, two counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and one count of harassment.

Read more at lohud.

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Starting Friday, the Sheriff’s Police Division will begin to disseminate firearms cable locks.

• These cable locks will be provided to Rockland residents free-of-charge, on a first come, first received basis.
• In an effort to provide these devices to the maximum number of residents, a limit of four cable locks per household has been established.
• Persons seeking to receive the locks will be asked to complete a voluntary basic information form. If a person chooses not to complete the form, they must display visual proof of residency to the issuing officer.
• If requested and if time permits, the issuing officer will explain how to install the cable lock on a firearm.
The Rockland County Clerk’s Office also has been provided with a quantity of these cable lock devices. They will be participating in this distribution program as pistol permit amendment applications are processed.

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William “Bill” Sherwood, a decorated officer for more than a decade, filed for routine overtime of four hours allowed for a scheduled appearance before a Rockland grand jury, authorities said.

“We came across a discrepancy in his overtime,” Police Chief Michael Sullivan said. “We did an investigation and some overtime he submitted he didn’t work.”

Read more at LoHud.com

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See article at lohud.com

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After an investigation aided by surveillance video, police charged Tony Curtis Hunt with one count of first-degree robbery for stealing close to $1,500 from the N&K Quick Pick at 2 Hickory St., police said.

He’s accused of robbing the Hickory Street store on Nov. 28. Hours later, Hunt is suspected of stealing $1,000 from the Latin Food Mart on South Main Street, Spring Valley Detective Sgt. James Noble said.

Read more at LoHud

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