CUMBERLAND, Md. — Officials of the Allegany County Board of Education, along with law enforcement and government authorities, discussed on Monday ways to increase penalties for individuals who make bomb threats at schools.
The school board reported having 12 bomb threats last year, as well as one on the day of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings, the Cumberland Times-News reports. Of those, the district caught nine of the assailants, who were sentenced to community service.
As a result, school board member Mike Llewellyn has spearheaded a push for teens ages 13 and up to be charged as adults for making bomb threats. Because bomb threats are not included under current laws, meeting attendees suggested including bomb threats under arson to the list of offenses by a minor punishable as an adult. Other suggestions comprised a request to approach the Circuit Court judges to consider handling offenders instead of a law master and a request of the Allegany County State Attorney to survey the Maryland State’s Attorney’s Association for input and support on the topic.
Related Articles:
