File #: Res 1586-2017    Version: * Name: Increase penalties for individuals who assault or rob food delivery workers.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Immigration
On agenda: 7/20/2017
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign legislation that would increase penalties for individuals who assault or rob food delivery workers.
Sponsors: Margaret S. Chin, Peter A. Koo, Carlos Menchaca, Vincent J. Gentile, Eric A. Ulrich
Council Member Sponsors: 5

Res. No. 1586

 

Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign legislation that would increase penalties for individuals who assault or rob food delivery workers.

 

By Council Members Chin, Koo, Menchaca, Gentile and Ulrich

 

                     Whereas, Food delivery workers are particularly vulnerable to assault and robbery; and

                     Whereas, According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which tracks national on-the-job injuries and deaths, in 2015 the occupations that suffered the most fatalities overall was that of driver/sales workers and truck drivers; and

                     Whereas, The Bureau of Labor Statistics defines driver/sales workers as persons who “drive a truck or other vehicle over established routes or within an established territory and sell or deliver goods, such as food products, including restaurant take-out items, pick up or deliver items such as commercial laundry”; and

                     Whereas, In 2015, driver/sales workers suffered 885 fatalities nation-wide, the greatest number of fatal injuries amongst civilian occupations; and

                     Whereas, While more fatal injuries resulted from transportation incidents, a significant amount of fatalities were caused by violence and injuries by persons; and                      

Whereas, In 2015, New York ranked fourth amongst states with the highest fatal work injuries with 236 of such incidents occurring, following Texas, California, and Florida; and

                     Whereas, In 2015, 31% of New York’s total fatal work injuries were caused by violence and other injuries by persons, nearly double the national average; and

Whereas, In the past year, several news sources have reported multiple incidents where food delivery workers were assaulted and robbed at gunpoint, and otherwise harassed when trying to make their deliveries in New York City; and  

Whereas, Since delivery workers are known to carry cash and goods, they are frequently targeted by violent criminals; and

Whereas, According to the Economic Policy Institute, many tipped workers, such as food delivery workers in New York City are immigrants who have limited English proficiency, which may add to their vulnerability; and

 Whereas, The growing attacks on food delivery workers have spread a sense of fear throughout the city’s delivery and restaurant communities; and

Whereas, The State has a moral and legal obligation to protect those who live, work, and visit the City and State of New York from violence and crime; and

Whereas, Increasing penalties for those who prey upon vulnerable food delivery workers will send a clear message that such behavior is unacceptable; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign legislation that would increase penalties for individuals who assault or rob food delivery workers.

 

 

LS #10850

06/12/17

CMA