LI Official Proposing Law To Make Dousing Water At Cops A Felony

LONG ISLAND, NY - A Long Island official is proposing a new law that would fight back against those who douse police officers with water.

In Harlem last week, several officers had water thrown on them while arresting a man in the intersection of Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and West 115th Street.

Onlookers cheer as the cops are soaked, and one man threw a plastic bucket at an officer's head.

After a video of the incident was posted on social media, 28-year-old Chad Bowden and 23-year-old Isiah Scott were arrested in connection and charged with criminal mischief, harassment and disorderly conduct for throwing water on a woman and damaging her phone, police said.

Now, Assemblyman Mike LiPietri is hoping to pass a bill that would make it a Class E felony to throw or spray water, or any other substance, against an on-duty police officer or peace officer.

This would be known as menacing a police officer in the second degree punishable up to 1 to 4 years in prison.

"These men and women go to work each day to protect our communities, unsure if they will return home to their families. They should be treated with the utmost respect and dignity by all," LiPietri said.

Photo via Assemblyman Mike LiPietri's office

The local assemblyman wanted to introduce this law now after hearing about the Harlem incident as well as three others in order to "nip it in the bud" and prevent it from happening again.

"It's time New York State stops handcuffing its law enforcement instead of its criminals," he told Patch. "New York needs to be in the forefront in helping its police.

On Wednesday, LiPietri held a press conference in New York City alongside Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, Assemblyman Michael Montesano, Assemblyman Mike Reilly, New York City PBA President Patrick Lynch, New York City Detectives Endowment Association President Michael Paladino, New York City Police Department Lieutenants Benevolent Association President Lou Turco, MTA PBA President Mike O’Meara, New York State Association of PBAs President Mike O’Meara, Suffolk County PBA Noel Degeralmo, Nassau County Corrections Officers Benevolent Association Brian Sullivan, Nassau County SOA President Kevin Black and Nassau County DAI President John Wighaus.

"It's a sad day in the history of New York State when we have to legislate civility," he said during the press conference. "This time it's water but what's next? Gasoline? Acid?"

The other elected officials who attended the conference showed their support as well.

"As someone who served in uniform, I understand the immense burden our police officers carry with them each day," Assemblyman Reilly said.

Photo via Assemblyman Mike LiPietri's office