A New York lawmaker from Long Island has introduced a bill to make it a felony to throw or spray water on an on-duty police officer.
Caught on video last month were two New York City officers being doused with buckets of water.
Republican Assemblyman Mike LiPetri blames Democrats in charge of state and local governments of stoking conflict between law enforcement and the public.
“This time it’s water, but what’s next? Gasoline? Acid? What will it take for radical left-wing politicians to abandon their hostile anti-police rhetoric towards law enforcement?”
LiPetri spoke a rally this week alongside police union members.
Democrats have considered proposing similar legislation.
Meanwhile, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone created a petition this week to foster support for any legislation to increase penalties for anyone who throws water on law enforcement.
Bellone says that right now the penalty for throwing water on a police officer is not much more than a traffic violation. He says that’s no way to deter offenders.
Bellone says this should be a non-partisan issue and hopes state lawmakers can come together to strengthen penalties. But he did not say what the consequences should be – only that it remains fitting to the crime.
The petition asks for 100 signatures to make a statement.