New state law makes it a FELONY to vandalize a house of worship and surrounding property
TUCKAHOE, NY – Deputy Majority Leader and State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) joined the Archdiocese of New York’s Vicar of Westchester Reverend Martin J. Biglin, Mayor of Tuckahoe John Fitzpatrick, Pastor Eric Raaser of Immaculate Conception Church of Tuckahoe, Minister Keith Dragt of The Reformed Church, Rabbi Morris Barzilai of Sinai Free Synagogue and Rev. Dr. Robert Hartwell of Village Lutheran Churchto announce a new state law which increases criminal penalties for vandalism of houses of worship and their surrounding property. The press conference was held at The Immaculate Conception Church in Tuckahoe – which has multiple statues and a cemetery on its grounds – which will now be covered under this new law.
Klein announced that his bill to increase criminal penalties for vandalism of houses of worship was recently signed into law by Governor Paterson. The new law, currently in effect, expands NYS law that makes it an “E” class felony, in most instances, to vandalize or steal from within a house of worship to include vandalizing or stealing property that is outside of the building or on its surrounding property.
“With this new law we not only secure the sacredness of the structures where New Yorkers worship, but the property – including statues, nativity scenes, menorahs, cemeteries and other religious displays – surrounding these buildings. It is extremely disturbing whenever individuals target houses of worship or their property, toughening the penalties for such disgraceful crimes sends a clear message that this behavior will no longer be tolerated,” said State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester).
“For too long, religious articles outside of worship facilities were not included and senseless damage to property and more importantly to religious articles that signify deep faith and devotion were not given the same protection. Whether it is the baby Jesus in a manger scene or a graceful menorah or even the beautiful script and patterns of decorations in the Islamic tradition, property outside of the house of worship have lacked protection under law. This law changes that,” said Rev. Dr. Robert Hartwell, Senior Pastor, Village Lutheran Church.
Prior existing law protected scrolls, religious vestments, vessels and other items used in connection with religious worship that were located in any building or structure used as a place of worship. It did not however afford the same protection to religious items displayed outside of the facility. Existing law punishes intentional damage to the property of a house of worship as a class “A” misdemeanor, regardless of the amount of damage caused or the context in which the damage was caused.
The new law expands existing law by broadening an “E” class felony crime to include situations when property outside of a place of religious worship is damaged in an amount greater than $100. The law also broadens current statutes to include and protect property that is located outside of the building or on the grounds of places of religious worship.
“It is unfortunate that our houses of worship and the religious statues and displays on their property are victims to any type of vandalism. The people of Tuckahoe are grateful to Senator Klein for addressing the problem with this valuable legislation,” said Mayor of Tuckahoe John Fitzpatrick.