A recent Newsday article warned airports of impersonators as a result of flight and ground crew uniform thefts, as well as ID theft from two Astoria flight attendants' apartments and a delivery truck in Kansas City, MO.

This has renewed my call upon the State Assembly to join the Senate in passing my legislation that would make it a crime to impersonate a pilot, flight attendant, ground crew employee, or law enforcement official while upon an aircraft or in an airport or any other transportation facility or public place.

New York State is home to two of the busiest airports in the nation and millions of people each day are transported on its massive commuter systems. Combating crimes and strengthening the punishments for the false impersonation of law enforcement and transportation officials will give police and security agents another tool that will help keep New York State proactive in its anti-terrorism efforts and further protect the safety of travelers, commuters and residents.

Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. New York State Senator