Legislative changes are needed to close major loopholes in New York State’s stalking laws, which provide suspects the ability to continue harassing victims, particularly those they’ve never met or physically harmed, according to prosecutors, domestic violence experts and lawmakers. These gaps, experts contend, were glaringly exposed when a New Jersey man was allowed to continue stalking and harassing Suffolk County nurse Melanie Smith for three years, with law enforcement seemingly unable, or unwilling, to take action. While Smith’s alleged stalker, Michal Pacek, was eventually arrested and arraigned on new charges following Newsday’s coverage of her case, holes remain in stalking laws that leave victims vulnerable, according to the Suffolk District Attorney, whose office is prosecuting the truck driver. More at the link in bio. (Photo: James Carbone) . . . #longisland #longislandny #suffolkcounty #newyorkstate #newjersey