A pair of GOP legislators ripped Mayor Bill de Blasio on Wednesday over the recent burst of water attacks on cops as they proposed a law that would make such drenchings a felony.
Assemblymen Mike LiPetri of Long Island and Michael Reilly of Staten Island announced their plan the same day the NYPD released video of the latest attack, which took place last week.
The bill would make it a Class E felony to throw or spray water or any other substance against an on-duty police officer, and would carry a possible maximum sentence of four years behind bars.
“What we are witnessing in New York City is disgraceful. A culture of blatant disrespect for law enforcement has been fostered and encouraged simply for political gain which has resulted in such despicable acts of hate becoming acceptable in our communities,” said LiPetri in a statement.
“Our police officers are being targeted for harassment and even assault while doing their job. This is the direct result of political grandstanding from politicians like Mayor de Blasio who’ve done absolutely nothing to foster police-community relations, and instead spread an inflammatory anti-cop rhetoric just to score a few points,” added Reilly.
But the bill’s fate was uncertain as the Assembly and Senate are both controlled by Democrats.
City Hall did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The video released earlier Wednesday showed a jerk in Queens brazenly spraying water from a bottle at two NYPD traffic enforcement agents a week earlier.
Footage showed the suspect cross a street in Woodhaven about 2:30 p.m. and dampen the two NYPD workers who were standing on the sidewalk.
As the man held the water bottle in his right hand, he appeared to be recording his attack with a cellphone in his left hand, the video showed.
The traffic enforcement agents weren’t injured, police said.
At least four other similar recorded water attacks on cops have taken place across the city.
Police have made multiple arrests in connection with the earlier incidents in Manhattan and the Bronx.