Just months ago, Queens Assembly Member Michael DenDekker was reaping widespread scorn for his proposal to require every cyclist in the state, even those just off their training wheels, to obtain a license. He also floated the idea of enforcing non-existent helmet laws with the widespread use of cameras. (He eventually withdrew the bike license legislation.)
Now he's claiming that in retaliation for his bike bills, a "rogue cyclist" vandalized his car, identifiable due to its special State Assembly license plate. In response, he's trying to pass a state law making it a felony to damage the property of someone known to be an elected official.
At a press conference today, DenDekker showed security footage from his home, which you can see above, that shows a cyclist deliberately breaking the mirror off the side of his car before riding away, allegedly the only such incident in the area that night. He theorized, though he admitted he lacked much evidence, that it was a response to his proposed anti-cyclist legislation.
All elected officials suffer such incidents as "retaliation for our positions on legislation," he claimed, going so far as to state that the foundations of democracy were shaken when elected officials were subject to the threat of violence.
And then DenDekker went there. He compared his broken-off mirror to the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and nineteen others this January, and his assailant to a potential Jared Lee Loughner. "I believe this person is capable of doing something so violent, after you see the video," DenDekker warned.
If his legislation isn't passed, DenDekker warned, the consequences could be dire: He's considering not renewing his special State Assembly license plate, reverting to the regular seven character plate next year instead. This will, of course, be a loss to everyone in his district: "We put those license plates on so that when we're at public events, our constituents can know we're there."
We're just wondering if DenDekker will ditch his parking placard, a form of ID with more tangible benefits, as well.
