Standing outside Congregation Ohr Natan in Rego Park, Monday, Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D-Richmond Hill) stumped for legislation he introduced that would up the penalty on thefts or vandalism at a house of worship.
Lancman’s legislation would slap offenders with a maximum seven-year term if they intentionally damage an item used in a worship service. Currently, the maximum sentence is a four-year term unless the damage reaches a certain monetary threshold.
It would also increase the max prison sentence for theft of any item worth more than $250 from seven years to 15 years.
Perpetrators could also land in jail for four years for any intentional damage to a house of worship.
The assemblyman said the upped penalty is needed after a rash of religiously targeted crimes across the five boroughs.
In January someone threw firebombs into a series of Queens locations including Al-Khoei Islamic Center in Jamaica.
Assemblyman Rory Lancman stands with Senator Toby Stavisky, Assemblyman Greg Lavine, Assemblyman Michael Simanowitz and Rabbi Nahum Kaziyev to announce his bill to stiffen the penalty on acts of vandalism and theft from houses of worship. Photo courtesy of Assemblyman Rory Lancman's office.
Religious leaders across the borough spoke out against the crime that was originally assumed to be religiously motivated.
In November, Ohr Natan was vandalized with anti-Semitic messages—the same month that vandals torched cars in Brooklyn after adorning them with racist symbols.
“Violating the sanctity of a house of worship through vandalism or theft violates our most fundamental values as Americans and New Yorkers, and merits the additional punishment which this legislation would impose,” Lancman said. ”Let anyone lowly or cowardly enough to consider defacing or stealing from a sanctuary think twice, knowing that such crimes will be taken extremely seriously.”
Lancman has courted the Jewish voter base recently after announcing he may run for the Ninth Congressional District, currently held by Republican Bob Turner.
The Assemblyman pointed to his Jewish heritage within a day of throwing his hat into the ring. Support of Israel and opposition of Iran’s nuclear program have been centerpieces of Turner’s campaign and short time in office.
Rabbi Nahum Kaziyev joined Lancman in front of the synagogue along with other politicians including Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Queens), Assemblyman Michael Simanowitz (D-Queens), and Assemblyman Charles Lavine (D-Glen Cove).
Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz (D-Forest Hills) has also thrown her local pull behind the bill, citing her family history.
“I know all too well the horrors of hatred; my grandfather was killed in Poland because he was Jewish,” Koslowitz said. “For the rest of her life my mother was fearful of anything that reminded her of those terrible days in Europe. I witnessed this fear firsthand growing up. Acts of hate only bring back those difficult memories. I strongly support this legislation because hate crimes are absolutely unacceptable and perpetrators must be handed as strong of a punishment as possible.”
Senator Jeffrey D. Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) is co-sponsoring the bill in the state senate.
