Macon Reporter

State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) expressed concern about a spike in violent crime against police officers, stating the problem needs to be taken seriously.

Halbrook said in an interview with the Macon Reporter that a “strong message” needs to be sent to those who commit harm against law enforcement.

"I am concerned about the increase in violent crime against police officers,” the lawmaker told the publication. “I agree we need to take this seriously and we need to send a strong message that crimes against police officers will not be tolerated.”

Last month, Illinois legislators introduced a measure that would make it a hate crime to assault and harass police.

Known as the Police Protection Act, it would label “officer targeting” a Class 3 felony, Chicago’s WGN9 reported.

State Rep Marty Moylan (D-Des Plaines) sponsored the bill, asserting there’s no longer respect for police officers.

Halbrook implied that he could lend his support to the legislation.

“I would like to see the details of this bill but at first blush, this appears to be something a measure I could support,” he told the Macon Reporter.

According to FBI statistics, the Washington News Post reported, over 60,000 law enforcement officers were injured in the line of duty nationwide in 2020.

Halbrook disagrees with the ACLU’s assertion that studies show enhancing a penalty for a crime doesn't reduce that crime.

“By that rationale, we should not have any punishment for any crime committed ever, which is absurd,” the representative told the Macon Reporter. “We write laws all of the time knowing that there will be people who will disregard those laws, but we write them anyway because in a civilized society we have laws, and we have consequences for when those laws are broken.”