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Senator Schumer Proposes Law That Would Make Urban Exploring A Federal Crime


October 14, 2014 | Rhett Jones

New York Senator Chuck Schumer wants to make tresspassing on national monuments or “critical infrastructure,” a federal crime punishable with up to five years in prison.

Following high-profile incidents in which harmless teens and urban explorers have placed white flags on top of the Brooklyn Bridge or taken photos of themselves on top of 1 WTC, the senior U.S. senator from New York believes that tougher consequences are needed — the kind of consequences that follow you for the rest of your life just for seeking a little adventure. Schumer:

It must be made loud and clear to any would-be trespassers, adrenaline junkies or potential criminals that the federal government and the NYPD take trespassing on critical infrastructure and national monuments very seriously.

John Miller, NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence & Counterterrorism, believes that the law would help authorities distinguish between minor trespassing and endangering key infrastructure, which is good because equating thrill-seeking kids with bloodthirsty terrorists is probably not a good idea.

(Photo: @Justin Casquejo)