In a free-wheeling interview with YWN, Brian Doherty, the feisty challenger to Assemblyman Dov Hikind, displayed some sharp differences between himself and the 28 year incumbent Assemblyman. While this is an uphill battle for Doherty, Hikind must “win big” according to one political strategist. “Hikind has 1000 times more money and name recognition in this race, anything more than massive victory over this first time challenger would further erode Hikind’s power in his Jewish base.”

Brian Doherty is a retired NYPD police sergeant who is married with three school-age children. He is running against Assemblyman Dov Hikind on the Republican and Conservative lines and has been endorsed by popular Senator Marty Golden. This is the first time that the Democratic Hikind has been challenged in many years. Below is an edited interview with Sergeant Doherty broken up by ten key topics.

Why Doherty is Running Against Hikind
“Assemblyman Hikind has an impressive history as a legislator however his best days are clearly behind him. He now has one of the worst voting attendance records in the entire legislature and clearly has lost the enthusiasm he once had for the office. His efforts now seem to be devoted to solidifying, or lately hanging on to, his political power, attempting to influence the outcome of local races and punishing those who cross him.”

Doherty On Helping Yeshiva Parents
“I am a supporter of school vouchers, education tax credits and TAP for Yeshivas or any other legitimate institution that would expand the choice offered to aspiring students and their families.”

Doherty On Social Issues
“I am opposed to abortion and I am against redefining the institution of marriage.”

Doherty’s on Hikind’s Time in Israel
“Hikind was elected 14 times to serve the people of Bay Ridge, Borough Park, Dyker Heights and Midwood. Even when he is here, he ignores three quarters of his constituency but he very simply cannot represent us if he is not here. If his interest and drive have understandably waned after 28 years, I would urge him to retire so that he can spend as much time in Israel as he likes without leaving the people of the 48th District without representation.”

Doherty on his Recent Comments on Corruption in Albany
“That statement was made in general but it can also be a specific reference to Mr. Hikind. His record is not unblemished by allegations of corruption…Also the case in which Mr. Hikind in my opinion exhibited the MONUMENTAL bad judgment of protecting the identities of admitted child molesters out of some misguided concern for the privacy of the victims. He should never have assumed responsibility for “investigating” these cases. The outcome was divisive, embarrassing and whether warranted or not, led to the appearance that he may have been protecting child molesters in exchange for political support and campaign cash. Where there is smoke, there is fire.”

Doherty on Allegations of Police not Filing Complaints at 66th Precinct
“I find these allegations particularly troubling. As a retired Police Sergeant, I can tell you that the NYPD plans it’s entire crime fighting strategy based on data collected on crime reports. If that data is skewed or falsified, it can negate every effort they make in crime reduction. And these efforts are pricey as is often the case when something is worthwhile.  Additionally, the NYPD should be concerned not only with impropriety, but the appearance of impropriety since their being held to a higher standard is paramount to the public’s confidence and trust in allowing them to accomplish their mission of protecting life and property. If police commanders cannot be trusted with the basics of crime reporting then the public trust will be shaken.”

Doherty on Recent Increase in Murders in NYC
“In regards to the recent spike in murders, the NYPD must return to the basics that gained notoriety under Rudy Giuliani and the “broken windows’ theory of policing. The NYPD must actually address the small quality of life issues once again instead of simply being consumed with being able to present “numbers” to show that quality of life summonses are being issued. Crime tumbled under Giuliani not because of the number of summonses and arrests but because of the quality. I fear that the NYPD has resorted to numbers instead of the quality of summonses and arrests and consequently, the people that are armed and out in the street committing these murders no longer fear a street encounter with a patrolmen who may be seeking the path of least resistance instead of using summonses and arrests as tools to feret out those who would do violence and mayhem on the streets of our community.

Doherty on Shelly Silver
“… I would remove Shelly Silver from the Speakership since it is ultimately his self serving and wrongheaded policies, enforced mercilessly from his bully pulpit that have ushered us along on this road to financial ruin as he stands to collect millions in awards as a partner in a law firm involved in suits that depend on legislation that Silver himself may vote on. Despicable.”

Doherty on his Jewish Supporters
“My most prominent Jewish supporter is the entire community of Borough Park. I have been out shaking hands around the neighborhood and the amount of support has been overwhelming. I understand that it is difficult for people to outwardly support me given the political climate that Hikind has fostered over the past 28 years to consolidate his power and to crush dissenters but my name is out there, the community is happy to have an alternative for the first time in a dozen years and win or lose, I will be the candidate who offered a choice to borough park rather than isolation.”

Closing Statement
“I am not a politician, nor am I a lawyer or an accountant. I am your neighbor who wants a better life for my children and I know that that the path of political corruption, apathy and a near pathological spending spree is not the way there.”

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(Dov Gordon for YWN)