With each passing day, our world becomes more dangerous. It’s an unfortunate reality Americans have been grappling with since the 1970s, where crime has grown more and more gruesome over time, and less and less people are free from its clutches. But one of the most disturbing trends we have seen in recent decades is the increase in violence and pain against children. Where once we had neighborhoods where kids could run around freely, even after dark, now we have blind spots for parents, guardians and members of the community to remain ever vigilant watching over. The severity of that need for vigilance cannot be understated.

Time and time again, we see stories cropping up in the news about the horrors of crimes against children. Stories like the Atlanta child kidnappings from the 1980s, or even like the death of Caylee Anthony, come to mind when thinking about what children today could be subjected to. But despite that past pain and hardship, New York has the opportunity to continue the crusade against child abuse and violence against children. I drafted a bill to help strengthen us in that fight.

Bill A.5452, titled Caylee’s Law, puts the onus of notifying law enforcement professionals of missing children on any and all related parties involved in that child’s life in a timely manner. In any missing child case, the first 18 hours are the most critical to act, and it’s important both the state and the public recognize that. This bill won’t perform miracles, but it will give New York the capability to seek justice more directly in the event a child is missing, found harmed or dead.

I do not like to write about topics like these very often. It’s disturbing and distressing to think we live in a world so removed from what we hope to give to our children: a world that’s safe, kind and ethical for all to enjoy. But large-scale problems like these require us to respond in kind, at first with small steps. I will continue to do my part as a legislator and empower the state and law enforcement to protect our children; they deserve those protections.