Public hearing held on penalties for school threats
State officials held a public hearing Wednesday on a proposal to impose tougher penalties for people who call in threats to schools. If the law passes, threatening a school could result in felony charges
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Mar 3, 2016, 6:48 AM
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Updated 3,220 days ago
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State officials held a public hearing Wednesday on a proposal to impose tougher penalties for people who call in threats to schools.
If the law passes, threatening a school could result in felony charges and a 10-year prison sentence. Critics say a 10-year sentence may be too harsh for children calling in threats as a prank.
Current technology also makes it easier for pranksters to hide their identity, according to experts, who question whether the stiffer penalty will matter.
Last month, an anonymous threat forced Stamford High students to evacuate for hours. That same day, similar threats were called in to schools in Hartford, Bristol and West Haven.
The very next day, another threat forced Stamford Academy to close early.
A threat in Fairfield in October also prompted a massive police response and closed 17 schools.
A similar bill passed the state Senate last year, but the House never took it up.
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