Photo: Theodore Patrienne
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, State Senator Daniel Squadron, and Assemblymember Joseph Lentol announced on Tuesday the introduction of a new bill that will make it a federal crime to trespass on critical infrastructure, namely, the city's bridges, with the intent to commit a crime.
The bill, entitled, the Critical Infrastructure Safety Act, is in response to yet another trespassing incident on a New York City bridge on March 25, when climbers breached security, disrupted traffic and caused alarm by illegal scaling parts of the RFK Triborough Bridge.
Bronx, Manhattan and Queens elected officials who represent the RFK Bridge now also support the bill.
"The city does not take these actions lightly," said Assemblymember Lentol. "If the NYPD and Fire Department need to send a wide swath of officers to deal with a trespasser, that intruder is taking first responder resources away from the people who really need them. I hope the next time someone thinks of climbing a bridge or other critical infrastructure they think about the other person's life they might be harming, as well as the potential one year of jail they might be serving."
"Each new stunt drains focus and resources from the essential job of protecting New Yorkers and their critical infrastructure," said State Senator Squadron. "This bill, along with Senator Schumer's effort at the federal level, sends the clear message that in today's world, these enduring breaches are not harmless acts.
"I thank Borough President Adams for his considered attention on this issue, and will continue working with Assemblymember Lentol, the NYPD, and now the RFK Bridge's delegation of elected officials, to protect critical infrastructure and dissuade costly trespassing."
