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Nadler, Weiner Call on Feds to Enforce Laws Against Fake Badges

Congressman Jerrold Nadler and Congressman Anthony Weiner held a press conference today in Manhattan to demand that the Department of Justice crack down on retailers continuing to supply would be criminals with fake police badges.  Four months after a new federal ban was enacted, fake badges are still widely available and are being used to lure children in Borough Park, Brooklyn.


Congressman Nadler’s remarks follow as prepared for delivery.

“Good afternoon. Thank you very much for coming out.”

“In Borough Park on Thursday there was yet another attempt to abduct a young girl from the street by a stalker.  This was the fifth such incident in the City in the past three weeks and the fourth in Borough Park.  In all these incidents the attacker posed as a police officer waived a fake police badge and attempted to abduct a young girl.  These horrible incidents unfortunately illustrates that four months after federal law made it illegal to traffic in fake badges, they are still being used on our streets.”

“In January of this year, President Bush signed a law that was introduced by my colleague Anthony Weiner that closed a major loophole in the trafficking of fake police badges.  Prior to this change the trafficking in police badges was legal for “recreational" or "decorative" purposes.   The ban closed that loophole and prohibited the sale of fake police badges except for legitimate law enforcement efforts and theatrical presentations.   But unfortunately little has changed since this law was signed by President Bush four months ago.  Fake police badges – including NYPD badges – are still widely available for sale on the Internet.  For as little as $30 fake police badges can be purchased online and be used by stalkers such as this individual who are preying on young girls in Borough Park.”

“These recent cases of attempted child abductions in Borough Park highlight the need to vigorously enforce the law against the selling or buying of fake police badges.  Representative Weiner and I have written to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales demanding that the Department of Justice shut down retailers and online merchants that publicly sell fake badges in defiance of the law.  No criminal should be able to use a badge to impersonate a police officer and take advantage of an unsuspecting victim. Four months after a new federal ban was enacted, fake badges are still widely available and being used to stalk children in Borough Park, we are demanding that the Justice Department act immediately and close down these retailers who are trafficking in fake police badges and jeopardizing the safety of our children and families.”

“Thank you.”

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