Mohawk Valley legislators renew push for stiffer punishment amid swatting trend
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Area legislators are continuing a push for more stringent penalties for those threatening mass violence.
State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-Rome and Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, D-Marcy, were joined Monday with community, law enforcement and school officials in support of a bill they have introduced that would hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
The two legislators have submitted similar legislation over the last few years.
The legislation was introduced this year following a swath of threats and swatting calls to schools across the state, including in the Mohawk Valley.
“We have seen threats of mass violence made in various schools districts in the region and the state,” Griffo said in a statement. “We believe that there should be stiffer repercussions and consequences for individuals threatening mass violence at our schools, places of worship and other places where a large number of people may gather. It is time for the Legislature and the governor to act so that we can hold the perpetrators of these heinous threats accountable for their actions.”
More: Schumer announces plan to address 'unprecedented wave' of swatting incidents
More: False threats to Rome, Utica, Herkimer schools draw police response: Trend seen across NY
More: Fake threats of violence target multiple New York school districts
False threats disrupt schools across NY
Over the last several weeks, over 50 school districts received false threats.
However, these reports caused widespread fear and disruption in educational institutions and communities, legislators said, especially at a time when many parents and schools are already on edge following the recent school shooting in Tennessee.
The false threats also put a financial burden on law enforcement, officials said.
About the proposed law
Griffo and Buttenschon have introduced legislation (S1603/A6383) since 2018 that would amend the penal law and establish a new crime of making a threat of mass violence toward a school, college or university, place of worship, mass gathering of 25 people or more or a business.
More specifically, the legislation creates two crimes:
Making a threat of mass violence in the first degree would be considered a class D felony and would apply to anyone 18 years of age or older. The punishment for this crime would be a $35,000 fine and a sentence of no less than three years in prison.
Making a threat of mass violence in the second degree applies to individuals under the age of 18 and carry a fine of $35,000 and a mandatory sentence of 10 days in a juvenile detention facility, or, for those over the age of 18, 100 days in a specialized secure detention facility.
The legislators said the bill is supported by law enforcement agencies, school officials and others.
“I strongly support this legislation that is being sponsored by Senator Griffo and Assemblywoman Buttenschon,” said Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara in a statement.
“As we have seen in our community recently, these ‘swatting incidents’ are very disturbing to the schools, students and the parents. If passed this law would greatly enhance our ability to successfully prosecute the individuals who are perpetrating these troubling false reports.”
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: NY legislators renew push for stiffer penalties amid swatting calls
