NYPD officers gather at City Hall to advocate for protection against doxxing and harassment
NYPD officers assembled at City Hall in New York City to push for anti-doxxing laws aimed at safeguarding law enforcement from harassment and threats in public. Scott Munro, president of the NYPD DEA Union, pointed out the significant dangers officers encounter, including the exposure of personal details and home addresses that can jeopardize their families’ safety. He mentioned that the proposed bill seeks to replicate Florida’s “Halo” law, which establishes a 15-foot safety buffer zone.
Louis Civello, president of the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association, shared a personal experience where a protester he had previously arrested located his home and waited outside. “We are at an inflection point. This job is harder than ever before,” Civello remarked during a New York State Public Safety Alliance event that called for enhanced legal safeguards for law enforcement and local officials.
He recounted an incident from early 2026 in which a protester, after being arrested for trespassing, took it upon himself to find Civello’s address and showed up at his home with a billboard truck. “That’s how much money these people are making. They can buy billboard trucks,” he noted.
Civello emphasized that there was a clear motive behind the protester’s actions. “You only come to my home to terrorize my family,” he explained, indicating that these types of disturbances were not unusual but rather common occurrences. He argued that New York needs to implement greater protections, especially concerning officers’ privacy.
“The laws are sadly lacking, and they could worsen if we don’t take action,” he said. Civello highlighted the absence of any legal restrictions preventing someone from showing up at his house—indicating that a perpetrator could easily greet his family upon their return home with no recourse available. This lack of privacy also extends to accessing a police officer’s address, which he described as merely a few clicks away online.
He called for the introduction of an anti-doxxing law and questioned why New York lacks a measure similar to Florida’s “Halo Law,” which provides specific protections for first responders after they issue warnings to individuals.
Other law enforcement leaders echoed Civello’s calls for stronger protective measures. Munro reiterated the request for a 15-foot buffer zone around officers, emphasizing that even a small measure could significantly enhance their safety. He noted the extensive coalition behind the New York State Public Safety Alliance, which encompasses 99 unions, including various first responders and public service employees.
“Those folks face assaults nearly every day,” Munro remarked, mentioning that assaults on police and public servants in New York City had reached alarming levels, with nearly 2,500 felony assaults recorded in the past year alone.
Fox News Digital reached out to both the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association and the Detectives’ Endowment Association for additional comments.
