ATLANTA – State Representative Deborah Silcox (R-Sandy Springs) today announced that she plans to renew her push for the passage of House Bill 500, legislation which would create a new offense for setting a law enforcement vehicle on fire. Over the weekend, multiple law enforcement motorcycles were set on fire at the Atlanta Police Training Academy; local officials later found incendiary devices at the scene.
“We welcome peaceful demonstrations, but Georgia will not tolerate the destruction of property,” said Rep. Silcox. “An attack on police property is an attack on public safety, and HB 500 would give prosecutors a mechanism to directly penalize arsonists who pose a threat to public safety. In addition to the danger and destruction of property, these violent acts project a negative image of our city, which hurts our business climate and tourism industry.”
Under HB 500, any person convicted of the arson of a law enforcement vehicle would be punished by a fine up to $100,000 or by imprisonment for a minimum of five years with a maximum of 20 years, or both.
During the 2023 legislative session, the Georgia House of Representatives passed HB 500, sending the legislation to the Senate for its consideration. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the legislation, but HB 500 failed to reach the Senate floor for a vote before the session concluded. HB 500 will remain eligible for consideration in the Senate during the 2024 legislative session, which will convene next January.
For more information on House Bill 500, please click here.
Representative Deborah Silcox represents the citizens of District 53, which includes portions of Fulton County. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and re-elected in 2022. She currently serves as Chairman of MARTOC and Vice Chairman of the Judiciary Non-Civil Committee. She also serves on the Judiciary, Public Health and Urban Affairs committees.
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