With no type of legislation currently on the books to handle the issuance of bomb threats, state Assemblywoman Amy Handlin (R-Mon-mouth and Middlesex) has announced plans to introduce a bill which would mandate punishment for anyone who makes a bomb threat or causes other false public alarms.
“We are all mindful of the sad but unavoidable fact that in a post-Columbine, post-9/11 world, terror breeds terror,” Handlin said during a press conference with local and county officials at town hall in Middletown on April 24. “If unchecked or insufficiently unpunished, today’s prank may become tomorrow’s tragedy.”
Handlin’s proposal would provide a judge with punishments for juveniles and adults who have been convicted of making a threat.
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 youth’s 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 proposed legislation 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.
Handlin, of Middletown, said she plans to introduce her bill in the state Assembly next month.
“This bill gives the judge discretion,” she said. “The rules for juveniles were designed to curtail the freedoms that most juveniles would enjoy. We’re trying to send a very serious message here.”
Middletown Mayor Thomas Hall pointed out that there have been 17 bomb threats issued in the community during the current school year. Although 12 of the 17 cases have been solved, he said he still wants to see those that are still out there dealt with.
“I do feel that all of these cases will be solved eventually,” Hall said. “With this bill, once people see the serious consequences of it all, the problem will stop.”
Handlin said she discussed the legislation with Middletown school officials. She also sought input from community members at a town meeting last month.
“People were uniformly agreed that something has to be done,” Handlin said. “One of the biggest motivations behind this legislation is to stop all of these threats.”
Monmouth County Sheriff Joseph Oxley said, “To say that these kids currently get a slap on the wrist really does overstate what the penalty is right now,” Oxley said. “It’s unfortunate that this has really impacted our community, but I am glad this issue is being addressed. It’s a very serious matter and we need to put an end to it.”