Tougher enforcement of quality-of-life crimes needed, Lanza declares

GOP state Senate hopeful says each precinct should get undercover vehicles to fight drug dealers, others

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

By TOM WROBLESKI

City Councilman Andrew Lanza called yesterday for stepped-up enforcement of quality-of-life crimes on Staten Island, including a new fleet of undercover cars for the Island's police commands, as well as increased penalties for crimes of identity theft.

Lanza (R-South Shore), who is running to replace the retiring state Sen. John Marchi (R-Staten Island), said each Island precinct should receive four new undercover vehicles to aid in the battle against illegal drug dealers, graffiti vandals and other offenders.

"There's an incredible need for undercover vehicles," Lanza said at his Grant City campaign headquarters. "It's the most effective way to combat these crimes."

Lanza, a former prosecutor whose father is a retired NYPD officer, said each car would cost between $25,000 and $35,000, with the money coming from the state.

While in the Council, he was able to help secure funding for new undercover cars for the 122nd and 123rd precincts.

Lanza called identity theft a "silent crime" that affects more and more Islanders each day, especially senior citizens.

"There are a lot of things we need to do," said Lanza. "This is a crime that turns people's lives upside down."

He said it should be a felony offense to enter someone's mailbox without permission, or to possess a driver's license, Social Security card, credit card or utility bill that doesn't belong to you.

"To do so would be possession of an identity-theft tool," he said. "We should criminalize it."

Lanza said that many identity thieves wait until postal workers have made their deliveries in a neighborhood and then simply troll through mailboxes in search of personal information.

Lanza said that if elected, he also would propose a law mandating that all new credit cards include the cardholder's photo. He said the state's Department of Motor Vehicles database could provide the photos.

"I think it's a wonderful tool to fight fraud and identity theft," said Lanza. He said that department stores and discount outlets frequently require that customer photos be included on store-issued credit cards.

Attorney Matthew Titone is Lanza's Democratic opponent in the race. Charles Pistor, a retired Defense Department employee, is the Conservative Party candidate.

Tom Wrobleski may be reached at wrobleski@siadvance.com. Read his polit.bureau blog at http://www.silive.com/newslogs/politics/