NYPD Officers Call for Anti-Doxxing Legislation

At New York City Hall, NYPD officers recently gathered to push for anti-doxxing legislation aimed at protecting law enforcement personnel from harassment and threats. Scott Munro, President of the NYPD DEA Union, stressed the dangers officers face when personal information, such as home addresses, is exposed, putting their families at risk. He referenced a proposed bill similar to Florida’s ‘Halo’ law, featuring a 15-foot safety buffer zone.

Louis Civello, a Suffolk County police officer and President of the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association, recounted an incident involving a protester he had once arrested who later tracked him down and waited outside his home. ‘This job is tougher than ever,’ remarked Civello during a New York State Public Safety Alliance event seeking stronger legal safeguards for law enforcement and local officials.

Civello described how in early 2026, he apprehended a protester who later arrived at his residence with a billboard truck. This person, Civello explained, was financially capable of employing such means to intimidate. He expressed the belief that these actions aim to terrorize officers’ families and argued for stronger state protections concerning officers’ privacy.

The current laws, Civello noted, are insufficient. Without specific laws against public access to officers’ personal details, individuals can easily find and use such information to intimidate police and their families. He advocated for an anti-doxxing law and questioned the lack of a ‘Halo Law’ in New York, aiming to protect officers post-incident.

Scott Munro, emphasizing the need for legal reforms, asked for a 15-foot protection space to ensure officers’ safety. The New York State Public Safety Alliance, which Munro represents, unites 99 unions, including those for firefighters, sanitation agents, and bus drivers, to enhance protections for public employees against violence.

Violence against officers is rising; Munro cited almost 2,500 assaults on police and public servants in New York City this year alone. This situation highlights the pressing need for legislative measures to protect those serving the public.