Sen. Berger Recognized as Defender of Public Safety by NC Sheriffs’ Association
Raleigh, N.C. — Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) was recognized by the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association (NCSA) as a 2023 Defender of Public Safety for the important work done during the 2023 legislative session to protect public safety in North Carolina.
“I am honored to be recognized as a Defender of Public Safety,” Sen. Berger said. “North Carolinians want to feel safe in their communities, and our sheriffs need to know that lawmakers stand firmly behind them and will ensure they have the tools necessary to go after criminals.”
During a session that saw a heavy concentration of law enforcement and public safety-related bills, Sen. Berger dedicated time and effort advocating for law enforcement issues important to the Association which impact the sheriffs, local communities, and the state.
“President Pro Tempore Berger has been a valuable partner in the recent legislative session, supporting the legislative priorities of the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association which is a voice for all 100 sheriffs in the State,” said Sheriff Darren Campbell, President of the Association. “As a result, our sheriffs have new tools we can use to protect our communities such as new laws intended to protect our electric power grid, stop dangerous street takeovers by motor vehicle gangs, and some which will allow us to better address the growing fentanyl crisis many of us see in our communities. We are better equipped today than we were yesterday to protect the lives, liberties, and property of North Carolina’s citizens.”
In 2023 the General Assembly passed several public safety bills, including:
- House Bill 34, “Protect Those Who Serve and Protect Act,” increased the punishment for assaults committed against law enforcement officers and other government personnel and created a new offense for discharging or attempting to discharge a firearm at or into an unoccupied emergency vehicle.
- Senate Bill 189, “Fentanyl Drug Offenses and Related Changes,” increased fines for trafficking heroin, fentanyl, and carfentanil and established the Task Force on Enforcement of Fentanyl and Heroin Drug Violations.
- Senate Bill 58, “Protect Critical Infrastructure,” increased penalties for attacks on energy facilities and willfully injuring wires and other fixtures of telephone, broadband, broadcast, or cable telecommunications.
- House Bill 40, “Prevent Rioting and Civil Disorder,” increased the penalties and created new offenses related to rioting.
- Senate Bill 20, “Care for Women, Children, and Families Act,” created a new misdemeanor domestic assault offense, increased the penalty for assaulting a pregnant woman, and allowed for lifetime GPS monitoring for repeat and violent sexual offenders.
- Senate Bill 91, “Amend Rule 4/Acceptance of Service,” created tougher penalties for those promoting and participating in dangerous street takeovers, and allowed law enforcement to seize vehicles involved in street takeovers.
Sen. Berger’s legislative district is served by: Sheriff Danny Rogers, Guilford County, and Sheriff Sam Page, Rockingham County.
During the 2023 legislative session, the General Assembly considered hundreds of bills and enacted dozens of laws that had a direct impact on law enforcement and public safety in North Carolina. The 2024 session is expected to begin in April and will likely see many additional law enforcement and public safety-related bills.
