Senator Frank Padavan announced the state Senate has once again passed his 'Career Criminal' legislation with significant bipartisan support. This is the fourth consecutive legislative session the measure aimed at keeping our streets safe from repeat criminal offenders has passed in the state Senate.

"Far too often, we are confronted with cases all over the state and here in the city where chronic criminals continue to plague our streets," Padavan said. "This criminal justice measure is a common sense solution that will help combat crime in our communities. Under this legislation courts and law enforcement officials would have another tool they need in the fight against crime by being able to impose felony criminal penalties on persistent misdemeanor offenders."

Padavan's 'Career Criminal' bill (S.1600) establishes the new crime of aggravated criminal conduct and strengthens the state Penal Law to mandate that any person who commits three or more Class A misdemeanors or felonies within a 10-year period be punished as a Class E felon and face up to four years in state prison. Class A misdemeanors include criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, assault in the third degree, criminal mischief in the fourth degree and resisting arrest.

"While we have been successful in reducing crime throughout the state and city to historic lows, many repeat offenders with wrap sheets a mile long continue to commit their crimes," Padavan said. "We must continue to send a strong message to every criminal who makes a career of their crimes that you will be spending a longer time in state prison."

With passage in the state Senate secured, the bill now awaits action in the state Assembly where it stands in the Codes committee. The legislation (A.7759) is sponsored in the state Assembly by Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (D-Westchester).

"It's long overdue for the Assembly Majority to join the Senate and end their stonewalling on this important criminal justice measure by immediately advancing it out of committee and to the floor for a full vote," Padavan said. "This legislation is far too important to the safety and security of all New Yorkers to be stalled for another year in the state Assembly."

Senator Frank Padavan announced that his district offices in Bellerose and Whitestone will once again be collecting used cell phones in order to recycle them for victims of domestic violence. Last October, Senator Padavan took part in local efforts to collect used cell phones from local constituents to help increase awareness of domestic violence during "National Domestic Violence Prevention Month."

"Many of us have an old, unused cell phone that we don't know what to do with," Padavan said. "Far too often, these unused phones are discarded in the trash. Each discarded cell phone poses a hazard to our environment. With Earth Day this month, anyone with an unused cell phone is encouraged to recycle them and help protect our environment and victims of domestic violence."

From Wednesday, April 16, to Wednesday, April 30, Padavan will collect used cell phones and accessories to increase and foster recycling efforts of outdated and unused cell phones. At the conclusion of the drive, the recycled phones will be donated to Verizon Wireless for use in their Hopeline wireless phone recycling program. The phones are refurbished, recycled or sold and the proceeds are donated to domestic violence advocacy groups or used to purchase wireless phones and service for survivors. Phones that cannot be refurbished are disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.

Hopeline collects cell phones regardless of manufacturer and wireless carrier as a part of their recycling efforts. All personal data is deleted and "scrubbed" from any donated cell phone to the Hopeline program.

"Last October over 150 individuals throughout our community donated their unused cell phones to be recycled or donated to local domestic violence victims," Padavan said. "Working with Verizon Wireless and their Hopeline Program, we were able to put these cell phones in the hands of those who need them the most. This month we once again have the opportunity to make great strides in the fight against domestic violence while protecting our environment."

Residents will have until Wednesday, April 30, to drop off their unused cell phone, batteries or accessories at Senator Padavan's district offices. The district offices are located at 89-39 Gettysburg Street in Bellerose and 150-26 14th Avenue in Whitestone. Bellerose office hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Whitestone office hours are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday.