It has been almost a year to the day since we spent this space supporting a state bill that would crack down on those who make false public alarms. Events in the news of late have made us wonder whatever happened to that proposal, and if you did too, here’s your answer – nothing.
According to the state Legislature’s Web site, A3130 was introduced on May 16, 2006, and then referred to the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee, where it has collected dust while the need for it has only become more apparent. The bill was sponsored by Assembly members Amy Handlin (R-Monmouth/Middlesex), Steve Corodemus (R-Monmouth) and Francis Blee (R-Atlantic).
A3130 would provide a judge with a new set of punishments, one for juveniles and one for adults. For adults, the bill would require the court to impose one penalty from each of the following sets for a first-time offender: either a mandatory prison term of 18 months or 40 days of community service, and a suspension of one’s driver’s license for 18 months; or a fine of anywhere between $4,000 and $15,000.
For juveniles, the parents would have to make restitution of the costs to all public agencies responding to the emergency, in an amount no less than $2,000. Also, the bill would require the judge to impose any two of the following penalties: a minimum of one summer at a juvenile detention facility; the revocation of the juvenile’s driver’s license or the postponement of receiving a license for a minimum of one year; or a minimum of one year performing community service.
While we oppose the idea of punishing parents financially for a crime they had no role in committing, the bill by and large is a very good idea.
Of course, a law like this would have done nothing to stop an incident like the tragedy at Virginia Tech. But like Columbine in 1999, the situation in Blacksburg, Va., heightened parents’ fears that an attack like that could happen anywhere, anytime.
And in the lowest of low blows, some kids are taking advantage of those fears for the despicable ends of getting out of class. Since Virginia Tech, we’ve seen a sudden spike in anonymous threats being made to the schools, such as one that occurred at North Brunswick Township High School two days after the shootings.
According to police, a 15-year-old girl was responsible for feigning the deep voice of a man and leaving a voicemail at the principal’s office threatening to “shoot up” the school. The caller even indicated their rage was caused by a fight with a girlfriend, as the media at the time was speculating was the root cause of the Virginia Tech shooting. The threat forced a several-hour lockdown of the school and sent parents into a panic as they butted heads with authorities about being left in the dark over what was happening.
A prank like that crosses far over the line and must be met with a stern punishment. When kids are caught making phony threats like these to our schools, authorities need to send a message by hitting them where it hurts. This bill would. The fact that it hasn’t yet moved an inch is perfectly symbolic of a Legislature out of step with its constituents.