A week after the grisly murder of an eight-year-old Hasidic boy in Brooklyn, a New York councilman Wednesday proposed a law that would set up safe havens for lost children throughout the city.
Leiby Kletzky disappeared last week while walking from summer camp to meet his parents. Days later, parts of his dismembered body were found in the refrigerator in hardware store assistant Levi Aron's apartment, and other parts in a dumpster.
According to the police investigation, the little orthodox Jewish boy was lost and asked Aron for directions after they crossed paths.
Aron, 35, has admitted to murdering the child.
The New York City Chief Medical Examiner's office said Wednesday that Kletzky had been given a cocktail of drugs including a muscle relaxant, a painkiller and antipsychotic medication before he was smothered to death.
"I havent been able to sleep since the terrible tragedy that befell Leiby Kletzky," said councilman David Greenfield, who at a city council meeting on Wednesday proposed legislation to set up the safe haven program.
Under the program, homes and businesses would display bright green stickers in their windows, letting children know that they could safely seek refuge there until they are reunited with their parents or guardians.
Participants in the program would be required to undergo a background check.
Greenfield said he wants the program to cover "every block in New York City."
New Yorkers "need peace of mind" following the murder of Kletzky, after whom the law would be named.
"Leiby's Law would provide a better option for children than simply asking strangers for directions," Greenfield said.