[Vision2020] Legislature should revisit new school threats law

[Moscow Cares]

In the absence of a tougher law, school threats may become all too frequent and the fears of “what if” become a regular local concern.

IF YOU DO THE CRIME, YOU WILL DO THE TIME !

Courtesy of today’s (April 6, 2018) Moscow-Pullman Daily News.

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Our View: Legislature should revisit new school threats law
By Josh Babcock for the editorial board
A 26-year-old Moscow man was cited last week with a misdemeanor for allegedly making a threat on a YouTube post to "shoot up" two Moscow schools on April 18. He was not taken into custody.

It was the first time Moscow police could do something about school threats made off school grounds, including threats made through social media.

Under a new state law that took effect March 23, an officer can now make a felony arrest if his or her investigation finds a suspect has weapons to carry out the threat.

If the investigation turns up that the suspect does not have the weapons to further the threat, it drops to a misdemeanor.

The law does not do enough.

How could someone - anyone - walk away with just a citation for threatening violence against a school?

The law was put to the test in Moscow on March 29 - six days after it was signed - and it failed.

Yes, police stuck the man with a misdemeanor citation, but he was still on the street.

The new law allows for a felony charge and arrest if an investigation finds the suspect has weapons to carry out his threat, but is that not a lot of responsibility to throw on police?

What if they miss something, or the suspect gains possession of a gun or an explosive device after he has been cited?

Next door in Washington, it would have been a felony. People do not get to walk the streets after they make such a claim.

Idaho lawmakers need to revisit this one.

Brian Armes, the manager of the Idaho Office of School Safety and Security, said the law was crafted in a way so that a juvenile's record would not be blemished with a felony charge for one mistake.

There comes an age when even those in high school know the seriousness of a school threat, especially in today's world, where school shootings are prevalent and many students are walking out and begging for gun reform.

Idaho should take school threats more seriously, and it should craft a law that shows students and adults it is a serious crime.

We think Idaho can do better for its students, parents and police.

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Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .

"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)
http://www.MoscowCares.com
  
Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho
 
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