New York GOP Rep. Anthony D’Esposito unveiled legislation that would codify a federal “bill of rights” for law enforcement officers and condemn the “defund the police” movement.
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and a range of City Council members and advocacy groups offered their support for the $300 million proposal put forward by several council members to broaden opportunities for housing, increase investment in mental health programs and reduce the time people spend awaiting trial.
The estimated price tag for the plan is $300 million a year and includes measures to reduce the amount of time people spend in jail before trial close to a year on average.
Dennis Applewhite, 29, pleaded guilty Feb. 7 to a charge of attempted assault in the first degree for the unprovoked attack on the officer on Halloween last year in a protective custody unit in the Anna M. Kross Center on Rikers Island.