U.S. Senator Charles Schumer is pushing for legislation that would make it a federal crime to intimidate a witness and set tough penalties for intimidation.Schumer appeared in downtown Buffalo Monday morning to announce a bill that he says would help local law enforcement protect key witnesses in cases. Standing in the lobby of Buffalo's Federal courthouse, New York's senior senator said the State Witness Protection Act would help Buffalo Police solve a number of crimes.
"The City of Buffalo has suffered 50 murders in the past year. Despite the hard work of our Buffalo Police, only 12 of these have been solved. They will tell you many of those that have been unsolved have done so because witnesses are afraid to come forward. Credible witnesses often stay quiet. This is part of the credo of gangs," Schumer said.
Schumer displayed a t-shirt being sold on the streets that reads "Snitches get Stitches." He cited the City Grill murders of August 14, 2010 which left four people dead, which Schumer says was difficult to prosecute due to witness intimidation.
"To have good...Western New Yorkers afraid for their lives to come forward and do their civic duty and testify, I don't blame them. But we have to do something about this," Schumer said.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda joined Schumer and praised his effort.
Schumer is calling for swift passage of the legislation.