By TIFFANY RAZZANO
The Freedom to Report Terrorism Law, co-sponsored by Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) and Assemb. Rory Lancman (D-Queens), was drafted in response to a lawsuit filed against several passengers of a November 2006 Minneapolis-St. Paul flight, bound for Phoenix, who reported the suspicious behavior of six fellow passengers who turned out to be Muslim scholars saying evening prayers.
"This common-sense law protects people who do the right thing," said Skelos, at a Sept. 19 afternoon press conference at the Rockville Centre Long Island Rail Road station. He also pointed to a recent terrorist plot against Fort Dix in New Jersey, where terrorists planned to kill American soldiers. "We found out [about that] because of a tip from a vigilant individual."
"New Yorkers are constantly told, 'If you see something, say something,'" Lancman said. "Now, you know if you do so in good faith, you will be safe for your efforts. ... This important legislation enables citizens to become partners to protect all of us."
This law is an expansion of a recently-passed federal bill, which only covers incidents that occur on transportation systems. Skelos says his law is a key anti-terrorism tool for the state. "[Since] 9/11, New York has been the number one target in this nation," he said. "The targets are not just our rail system or our planes, but [places such as the] Nassau Coliseum, Madison Square Garden and our shopping centers."
Comments about this story? TRazzano@liherald.com or call (516) 569-4000 ext. 221.
Photos By Andrew Vardakis/Herald
