State Senator Klein Introduces Legislation To Protect Houses Of Worship

Responding to a series of incidents of theft and vandalism at area houses to worship, State Senator Jeffrey Klein of Westchester County introduced legislation to increase penalties for vandalism to or theft from a house of worship.
Klein pointed to a number of acts of vandalism against nativity scenes and large menorahs that were on public display last December.
“I think it’s wrong for us to chalk up these acts of vandalism as kids being mischievous or bored,” he said. “These are serious crimes and I think we should have penalties that treat them seriously as well.”
Klein’s legislation would increase the charges for vandalism, theft or desecration at a house of worship from a misdemeanor to a felony, which would carry with it a prison sentence of 1 ¼ to four years.